Eberechi Eze faces month on sidelines as injury stalls Arsenal and England ambitions

Eberechi Eze is set for a spell on the sidelines that could stretch up to six weeks, dealing a timely blow to Arsenal’s season and his own international aspirations.

The attacking midfielder was a notable absentee as Arsenal fell 2-0 to Manchester City in the EFL Cup Final at Wembley, with his late withdrawal raising immediate concerns.

Initial indications now point to a calf injury that could rule the 27-year-old out for between four and six weeks, pending further medical assessment.

Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the club’s efforts to have Eze available for the showpiece fixture ultimately proved unsuccessful.

“We tried everything (to get him fit for the final),” Arteta said. “We have to do another scan in six or seven days and wait to see the results.”

The timing of the setback is particularly damaging. With Arsenal pushing for major honours domestically and in Europe, Eze’s absence removes a key creative outlet during a decisive stretch of the campaign.

He is now expected to miss the upcoming FA Cup quarter-final clash as well as both legs of the Champions League tie against Sporting CP, fixtures that could define the club’s season.

Beyond club commitments, the injury also threatens to derail Eze’s standing on the international stage.

Having withdrawn from England duty for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, the midfielder now faces an extended period out at a time when competition for attacking places is intensifying.

With options such as Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham all vying for similar roles, a prolonged absence could see him fall down the pecking order.