Arsenal have caused controversy over the international break. (Image: Getty Images)
Gabby Agbonlahor believes certain Arsenal players should face sanctions after 10 of them pulled out of international duty this month. The former Aston Villa striker-turned-pundit has suggested that the Premier League should consider penalising players who withdraw from representing their nation to ‘benefit’ their club.
Arsenal are entering a decisive period in the title race, with Manchester City trailing Mikel Arteta‘s side by nine points but possessing a game in hand. Discussing the withdrawal situation, a frustrated Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT: “If I was part of the Premier League and I was making a decision, I would bring in a new rule, you miss the next Premier League game available if you pull out of international duty.
“I tell you something, players will stop pulling out. Playing for your country is an honour. If I’m Harry Kane, I’m speaking about this and saying, ‘Come on, guys, let’s not go back to what we were doing four or five years ago where players are pulling out non-stop.’
“I get it, Arteta is doing everything possible to win these trophies. Their next game after the international break is the FA Cup against Southampton.
“I’m just not keen on players pulling out of international duty. It’s an honour to play for your country. It doesn’t sit right with me.”
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William Saliba was the first to withdraw from international duty, dropping out of the France squad following Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City. Eberechi Eze was subsequently ruled out of England’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard, both still nursing injuries, also withdrew from the Netherlands and Norway squads respectively.
Leandro Trossard departed the Belgium camp, while Martin Zubimendi pulled out of Spain’s squad and Piero Hincapie left Ecuador’s to return to England.
William Saliba was one of many Arsenal players to pull out of international duty. (Image: Getty)
Noni Madueke, who picked up a knee injury during England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay last Friday, was released from the squad. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were handed the first week off to recuperate after Thomas Tuchel divided his group across the two fixtures.
But upon joining the remainder of the squad at the Tottenham Hotspur Way training ground, they were also permitted to leave.
Tuchel has, nevertheless, stood by Saka and Rice, maintaining he has no grounds to question their injuries as suspicions were raised over Arsenal’s considerable number of withdrawals.
“I understand how it looks,” he said on Monday. “I still have 100 per cent trust in the honesty of Declan and Bukayo.
“We ran medical tests, I saw them. I have no reason to believe either of them is being anything other than honest with me. But given the number of Arsenal players withdrawing, I understand the perception. They were desperate to be involved, just to get the narrative straight. But both were clearly in discomfort.”