Two more Arsenal starters officially withdraw from international duty after Carabao Cup heartbreak

Arsenal duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Leandro Trossard have withdrawn from international duty after suffering injuries following the club’s EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

Both players were initially named in their respective national team squads for the March international break.

However, medical assessments have ruled them out of the upcoming fixtures.

The Brazil Football Confederation confirmed that Gabriel will not travel for Brazil’s friendly matches against France and Croatia.

The centre-back experienced pain in his right knee following Sunday’s final and was subsequently withdrawn from the squad.

Brazil’s medical staff concluded that Gabriel was not fit enough to participate in the two fixtures.

The CBF also confirmed that no replacement player will be called up in his place.

Gabriel had played the full 90 minutes at Wembley despite the discomfort.

The 28-year-old has been a key figure for Arsenal this season.

He has made 38 appearances across all competitions and remains one of the most important players in Mikel Arteta’s defensive unit.

The Brazilian had already missed a short spell earlier in the campaign due to a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Trossard has also been forced to pull out of international duty with Belgium.

Belgium confirmed that the winger will not travel with the squad to the United States for their upcoming friendly matches.

Belgium are scheduled to face the United States and Mexico during the international break.

The Belgian federation did not provide detailed information regarding the nature of Trossard’s injury.

The 31-year-old started the EFL Cup final before being replaced late in the second half by Gabriel Martinelli.

Trossard had also missed Arsenal’s previous Premier League victory over Everton after suffering a knock in the FA Cup tie against Mansfield Town earlier in March.

Gabriel and Trossard are not the only Arsenal players to withdraw from international duty this month.

Defender William Saliba has also pulled out of the France squad due to ankle pain.

Forward Eberechi Eze was also unavailable for the England squad after sustaining a calf injury that ruled him out of the Carabao Cup final.

There was at least one positive international update for Arsenal.

Right-back Ben White received a late call-up to the England squad, marking his first selection since the 2022 World Cup.

Arsenal will now hope the withdrawals allow their injured players valuable recovery time during the international break.

The Gunners return to competitive action when they face Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on April 4.

The post Two more Arsenal starters officially withdraw from international duty after Carabao Cup heartbreak first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.