Hincapie and Zubimendi join long list of Arsenal withdrawals

Are players exercising an abundance of caution with the Gunners still in three competitions?

Either Arsenal face a serious injury crisis for the Premier League run-in, or Mikel Arteta's players are exercising an abundance of caution ahead of a pivotal period for the club, with the Gunners still in three competitions.

Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi have become the latest Arsenal players to depart their international squad due to injury concern.

Hincapie was sent home from the Ecuador squad for "medical tests" on a knee injury after he picked up a knock in Friday's 1-1 draw with Morocco. Ecuador play the Netherlands on Tuesday.

Martin Zubimendi has also left the Spain setup, with his country reporting “discomfort in his right knee.”

The midfielder was a late substitute in Friday's friendly win over Serbia, but will take no part in Tuesday's friendly against Egypt.

"Martín Zubimendi has withdrawn from the Spanish national team camp due to discomfort in his right knee," Spain's statement said.

"To avoid any risk and to protect the player's health, he has been removed from the squad. Arsenal FC's medical staff have been informed of the situation."

Three of Arsenal's England stars left Thomas Tuchel's camp at the weekend, returning to Arsenal for “medical assessment”. Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Noni Madueke dropped out of the England squad on Saturday night. Madueke was injured in the friendly draw with Uruguay on Friday and was pictured in a knee brace. 

Ebere Eze, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard, and Jurrien Timber all stayed away from international duty due to injury concerns, with Martin Odegaard also continuing his rehab on a knee injury and missing Norway's window.