Leandro Trossard hands Mikel Arteta another international nightmare as Arsenal star injured

Arsenal have been handed a fresh injury worry after Leandro Trossard was withdrawn for Belgium.

The Gunners winger was named in his country’s starting XI against Israel on Sunday. But his evening did not last particularly long. Trossard was withdrawn in the 37th minute and was replaced by compatriot Johan Bakayoko.

It was not initially clear what issue was troubling the Arsenal man but he was moving slightly awkwardly before his eventual withdrawal. Trossard, 29, has made 15 appearances for Arsenal so far this season, scoring twice.

A long-term issue would be a nightmare for Gunners boss Arteta, with the North Londoners having struggled from a host of injuries this season. Captain Martin Odegaard picked up a serious injury in the September break and has only just returned to contention.

The Norwegian playmaker however pulled out of his nation’s latest squad as a precaution. Explaining his decision, Odegaard said: “I got through the match at the weekend, but it was a rather abrupt transition from the last nine weeks.

“In this kind of process, you don’t just go from being injured to suddenly being completely healthy. You tend to have a reaction to what happens, and then it’s about how you react to it. Together with the NFF’s medical team, we’ve looked at it and agreed that it’s better for me to go back and make a full recovery.

“We have had an open and nice discussion. I have been talking to Ståle ever since I was injured, and of course more intensively in recent weeks. This is not about what Arsenal has said, or what Ståle has said. It’s about what my situation is.

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“Yes [it’s my choice], but in consultation with the medical team here [in Norway]. This is something we agree on, but ultimately it is me who has made the choice based on what I know the body needs.”

Away from Trossard and Odegaard, Arsenal are already dealing with a host of injury headaches. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka pulled out of England duty after picking up issues before the international break.

Defenders Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori and Kieran Tierney are all also currently sidelined. Arsenal take on Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium this weekend ahead of a midweek trip to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.

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