Arsenal Injury Fears Grow After Cup Loss 2026

Key Points

• Arsenal suffered a Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday, March 22, 2026, with Nico O’Reilly scoring a second-half headed brace, ending their dreams of an unprecedented trophy quadruple.​
• The Gunners hold a commanding nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League with seven matches remaining, but face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium next month, where City have a game in hand and renewed confidence.
• Arsenal’s treble remains achievable, with FA Cup quarter-final away at Southampton post-international break, followed by Champions League last-eight ties against Sporting CP (first away in Lisbon, then home), Bournemouth at home, and the crucial City clash.
• Five Arsenal stars withdrew from international duty in quick succession after the final, adding to pre-existing fitness issues, fuelling crisis fears for Mikel Arteta.
• Key concerns include William Saliba (left ankle, needs at least 10 days rest, out for Brazil friendlies), Gabriel Magalhães (right knee pain confirmed by scans, withdrawn from Brazil friendlies vs France and Croatia), Eberechi Eze (fitness doubt, missed Friday training), Martin Ødegaard (not played since Brentford draw last month, training spotted but doubtful), Jurrien Timber (exited Everton win early, missed Friday training), Mikel Merino (out several months post-foot surgery from February injury), and Leandro Trossard (withdrawn from international duty alongside Gabriel).
• Arteta awaits final Saturday training session before final squad decisions, optimistic but facing tough choices to narrow to 20 players.​
• Gabriel played through pain in the final, similar to Saliba; Brazil confirmed no replacement called up.

Arsenal, (North London News) March 24, 2026 – Arsenal have been hit by multiple key new injury concerns following their Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. The Gunners saw their dreams of an unprecedented trophy quadruple come crashing down thanks to a second-half headed brace from Nico O’Reilly, a result that could yet have ramifications for the Premier League title race. Mikel Arteta’s side hold a commanding nine-point lead at the Premier League summit with seven matches remaining, but must still travel to the Etihad Stadium next month to face a City side now with renewed confidence and a game in hand.

Who Are Arsenal’s Injured Players After the Final?

Arteta will hope to have a strong squad available for the challenges ahead, as five Arsenal stars have now withdrawn from international duty in quick succession, adding to lingering fitness issues ahead of the Wembley showdown. As reported by the BBC Sport team, Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhães has become the latest player from title-chasing Arsenal to withdraw from international duty with injury.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced that Gabriel will not participate in the friendly matches against France and Croatia in the United States, citing “pain in his right knee,” with medical imaging confirming the issue affecting the 28-year-old.

Football.london’s Arsenal FC coverage detailed that Gabriel marks the fifth player from Arsenal to withdraw from their respective national teams following the loss. The 28-year-old managed to play through the match, similar to his defensive teammate William Saliba, who will also miss Brazil friendlies; the French Football Federation has indicated that Saliba’s left ankle needs at least 10 days of rest.

Express Sport noted Eberechi Eze, Jurrien Timber, and Martin Ødegaard as fitness doubts ahead of the final, with all three absent from Friday’s training session, though Arteta confirmed another practice on Saturday.

What Did Mikel Arteta Say About Fitness Concerns?

In a pre-final press conference, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta provided an update on Ødegaard and Timber, stating,

“We have training session on Saturday, the ones [who are injured] are in, hopefully we can use good news. We have another session so let’s see if they can make it.”

Arteta remains optimistic despite the absences, facing challenging decisions to narrow the squad to 20 players for Wembley, remarking,

“Everyone has participated in the competition and on the last day you have the chance to be at Wembley, it’s tough not to provide an opportunity for someone to be there. So, yes, it’s something to consider.”​

As covered by Goal.com’s Arsenal team, Ødegaard has not played since the draw against Brentford last month, while Timber had to exit the pitch during the 2-0 win over Everton last Saturday, making their potential absence significant for the final.

Yahoo Sports Singapore reported that Martin Ødegaard and Jurrien Timber were spotted in training ahead of the Man City clash, but Arsenal will certainly miss Mikel Merino, who is expected to be out for several months following surgery on a rare and serious foot injury sustained in February.

Why Is Gabriel Magalhães Out of Brazil Duty?

The CBF’s official statement on X, as relayed by Sports Mole, confirmed:

“Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães is out of the friendlies against France and Croatia. After the match this Sunday (22) against Manchester City in the English League Cup final, the player complained of pain in his right knee. Imaging tests confirmed that Gabriel Magalhães is not fit for the matches in this FIFA international window. No other player will be called up to replace him.”

This marks Gabriel as the latest in a series of withdrawals, with Sports Mole noting every Arsenal player pulling out, including a double blow from Gabriel and Leandro Trossard.​

Football.london added that imaging scans have confirmed Gabriel Magalhães is unfit for the matches during this FIFA international window, with no replacement called up. The centre-back reported pain post-final, undergoing scans that verified the knee problem.

Which Arsenal Players Withdrew from International Duty?

A total of six players from Arsenal’s first-team roster have now either opted out or been deemed unfit for national team duties during this international break, per BBC Sport. Sports Mole highlighted Gabriel Magalhães and Leandro Trossard as the latest to withdraw, with Brazil announcing Gabriel’s knee issue on Monday afternoon. William Saliba’s ankle rest requirement sidelines him for France’s matches against Brazil and Colombia in the U.S., as per Football.london.

Express.co.uk listed five players who could miss the final: Eberechi Eze, Timber, Ødegaard, with Arteta not ruling them out after Saturday’s session. Merino’s long-term absence due to foot surgery was underscored by Yahoo Sports, ensuring he misses the Wembley date. Trossard’s withdrawal compounds the midfield concerns.

What Are Arsenal’s Upcoming Fixtures Amid Injury Crisis?

Arsenal turn attentions back to the FA Cup quarter-finals away at Championship play-off hopefuls Southampton immediately after the international break.

Then comes the Champions League last-eight tie against Portuguese giants Sporting CP: first away in Lisbon, then home at the Emirates, sandwiched between Bournemouth’s top-flight visit, with the massive trip to City lying in wait.

Football.london outlined Arsenal’s next five Premier League fixtures: Everton (H) on March 14, Bournemouth (H) on April 11, Man City (A) on April 19, Newcastle (H) on April 25, Fulham (H) on May 2/3. A Facebook post from Arsenal Fanatics News listed the next six:

Manchester City (neutral, already played), international break, Southampton (A), Sporting CP (A), Bournemouth (H), Sporting CP (H). The critical City matchup at the Etihad follows, where Arsenal do not necessarily need a win to hold their title grip.

How Serious Are the Injury Concerns for Arteta’s Treble Bid?

Arteta bids to ensure Carabao Cup heartbreak does not derail a potentially special campaign, with the treble still on via Premier League leadership, FA Cup progression, and Champions League knockout stage. The withdrawals – Saliba (ankle, 10+ days), Gabriel (knee, scans confirm unfit), Eze (doubtful), Ødegaard (month out), Timber (recent exit), Merino (months), Trossard (withdrawn) – heighten fears.

Pre-final doubts over Eze, Timber, and Ødegaard missing training were not ruled out by Arteta, per Express Sport. Goal.com stressed the Saturday session’s decisiveness for Odegaard and Timber availability. Despite this, Arsenal’s nine-point lead offers buffer, but City’s confidence post-O’Reilly brace sends a title message.

What Does This Mean for the Premier League Title Race?

City smell blood after Wembley, per Evening Standard analysis, with their game in hand keeping the race alive despite Arsenal’s lead. Football.london compared schedules: Arsenal face Everton (H) March 14, while City go to West Ham (A); then Bournemouth (H) vs Chelsea (A); climaxing April 19 at Etihad (City home). Arsenal’s post-break run – Southampton, Sporting double, Bournemouth, City – tests squad depth amid injuries.

The Gunners strive for their first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, having beaten City in semis then Chelsea in the final, as Yahoo noted. Arteta’s optimism hinges on recoveries, with final training key.