Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze is set to miss several weeks because of a calf injury, Sky Sports News understands.
Eze missed the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City after he was hurt in last week’s Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen.
The attacking midfielder, who pulled out of the England squad, will have a further scan and there is hope he might return sooner than the reported timeframe of four to six weeks.
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How much of an effect could Manchester City’s victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final have on the race for the Premier League title?
The Premier League leaders are still chasing the treble as they fight on in the Champions League and FA Cup.
If the reported timeline is correct then Eze will miss a crucial run of five games across all three competitions, including the trip to title rivals Man City in the league, live on Sky Sports.
Analysis: Eze sidelined just when he was kicking on
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:
The two-week international break softens the Eze injury blow for Arsenal slightly, but even if he’s not fully fresh for Arsenal’s crucial Premier League game with Manchester City, it’s still a sucker punch.
The main reason for frustration is that Eze has picked up this blow just as he was getting into form. His wonder goal against Bayer Leverkusen was a sign the Gunners No 10 had finally started to settle in this Arsenal team, it was his best moment outside of a north London derby.
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Paul Merson reacts to the SENSATIONAL Eberechi Eze opener for Arsenal against Bayer Leverkusen
Even Mikel Arteta said after that game: “He’s building a better chemistry, a better understanding with all of [his team-mates], and we start to understand him much better.” But little did Arsenal know that Eze also picked up an injury in that game.
Now Eze is out for the period of the season where he normally shines. It is often quipped that Eze hits best form in the spring and his numbers back that up.
Last season, the post-March international break period saw him go on a run of six Premier League goals and two assists in eight Premier League games – as well as scoring in the FA Cup quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
The campaign before, he ended the season with five goals and two assists in his last six Premier League matches. This term, he will spend it on the treatment table.
How Arsenal replace him is straightforward, but strenuous. There is now pressure on Martin Odegaard to return to fitness – but also form – very quickly. He is expected to be back for the FA Cup quarter-final with Southampton.
Kai Havertz is another option at No 10, but his display in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final – which saw him miss a golden early chance then go on to lose nine out of his 10 duels in the game – shows he is still a bit rusty.
And there is, of course, Max Dowman as a back-up option for creative influence…
Arsenal’s busy schedule after the international break
April 4: Southampton (A), FA Cup quarter-final, kick-off 8pm
April 7: Sporting CP (A), Champions League quarter-final first leg, kick-off 8pm
April 11: Bournemouth (H), Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm
April 15: Sporting CP (H), Champions League quarter-final second leg, kick-off 8pm
April 19: Man City (A), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 4.30pm
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