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Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images Martin Zubimendi has withdrawn from Spain’s squad for the upcoming game against Egypt, becoming the tenth Arsenal player to pull out of national duty over this window. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have said the midfielder has “discomfort in his right knee” and will return to his club side “to avoid any risk and to protect the player’s health”. Advertisement Earlier on Sunday, Piero Hincapie withdrew from Ecuador’s squad for the game against the Netherlands on Tuesday. The 24-year-old played 72 minutes of his nation’s 1-1 draw against Morocco on Friday, but Ecuador said on Sunday the defender would return to his club side “to begin his recovery process” following medical tests, which were not disclosed. On Saturday night, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice both departed from the England camp before the team’s friendly against Japan on Tuesday, and were returning to Arsenal for “medical assessment”. That followed the withdrawal of Noni Madueke, who went to ground after a collision with Uruguay’s Rodrigo Aguirre in the 38th minute of Friday’s 1-1 draw at Wembley. Madueke got back to his feet, but then sank back to the turf shortly afterwards and was quickly replaced by Jarrod Bowen as Madueke went limping down the tunnel. After the match, Madueke walked through Wembley’s media mixed zone with a knee brace on his left leg. Noni Madueke has just walked through the mixed zone at Wembley with a brace on his left leg. He had to be substituted in the first half after colliding with Uruguay’s Rodrigo Aguirre. @The Athletic FC #AFC pic. twitter. com/5t4q MNqo PZ — Dan Sheldon (@Dan_Sheldon_) March 27, 2026 “I’m very sad and upset and hopefully it’s not a big injury, ” England coach Thomas Tuchel said of Madueke after the match. Eberechi Eze had withdrawn from England’s squad at the start of the break and is set to be sidelined for at least a month with a calf injury. Separately, William Saliba (France), Gabriel (Brazil), Leandro Trossard (Belgium) and Jurrien Timber (Netherlands) all withdrew from their squads at the start of the break. Arsenal said the quartet of players would “instead remain at the club during the international break to continue their treatments”. Advertisement Aside from the ten withdrawals from international duty, Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard has been out since the win over Tottenham Hotspur on February 22, while Mikel Merino is expected to miss months of action with a foot injury. Arsenal return to action on April 4 away to Championship side Southampton at the quarter-final stage of the FA Cup, before a trip to Lisbon to play Sporting Club in the first leg of their Champions League last-eight tie three days later (April 7). Arteta’s side’s next Premier League game is at home to Bournemouth on April 11, four days ahead of the visit of Sporting, with an away game at second-placed Manchester City on April 19 and a home match against Newcastle United on April 25. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle Colin Millar is a Senior Editor for The Athletic. Prior to joining The Athletic, Colin was European Football writer at Mirror Football. From Belfast, he is the author of The Frying Pan of Spain: Sevilla vs Real Betis, Spain’s Hottest Football Rivalry, and he can be found on Twitter/X: @Millar_Colin Follow Colin on Twitter @Millar_Colin