\n<\/p>\n
At a Glance:<\/p>\n
Gabby Agbonlahor has hit out at Arsenal players for withdrawing from international duty over the last week, urging the Premier League to implement a rule change which would prevent this from happening in the future.<\/p>\n
Ten Gunners players have now left their national team camps, protecting themselves from aggravating injuries they\u2019re carrying. This has sparked backlash against Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, with many accusing these players of \u2018faking\u2019 fitness issues to get out of playing international friendlies.<\/p>\n
Thomas Tuchel dismissed this discourse, revealing that Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka\u2019s exit from St. George\u2019s Park was a mutual decision between England and the North London club. Despite this, prominent pundits such as Agbonlahor continue to take radical stances to the situation.<\/p>\n
Arsenal may have lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City, although they remain alive on three other fronts. The Gunners could have as many as 15 matches to play between the beginning of April and the end of May, and with that in mind, the club\u2019s medical staff have clearly made an attempt to provide some of their overburdened players with a rest over the international break.<\/p>\n
In order to protect key players and ensure they\u2019re ready for the run-in and the World Cup, they\u2019ve withdrawn from competing in inane friendlies. However, not everyone sees this pragmatic medical approach as sensible. <\/p>\n
Speaking on talkSPORT, former Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor said the situation \u2018doesn\u2019t sit right\u2019 with him, before calling for the Premier League to introduce a rule where players receive a one-match suspension for withdrawing from international duty.<\/p>\n
\n✅ “I’d bring in a new rule\u2026”<\/p>\n
⛔️ “You miss the next league game if you pull out of international duty!”<\/p>\n
😡 “It’s a mockery for so many players to pull out!”<\/p>\n
Gabby says the #AFC<\/a> stars who withdrew from international duty should be banned for the Gunners’ next league game! ❌ pic.twitter.com\/P1KDL1TLiK<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) March 31, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201c(Noni) Madueke,\u00a0no problem, you pulled out,\u00a0you got injured against Uruguay,\u00a0it was quite a hard tackle,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI look at players like (Jurrien} Timber, (Eberechi) Eze, (Martin) Odegaard, all pulled out because they didn\u2019t play against Manchester City. Those four players, no problem with it.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut (Piero) Hincapie, (Bukayo) Saka, (Declan) Rice, Gabriel, (William) Saliba, (Leandro) Trossard, (Martin) Zubimendi had no problems against Manchester City. I just don\u2019t think it\u2019s right.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arsenal\u2019s international withdrawal approach should not be criticised<\/h2>\n
Agbonlahor\u2019s outburst about Arsenal wanting to protect their players is nonsensical. The pundit has conflated the players supposedly neglecting their national team for friendly matches with the fact that the national teams themselves have agreed or even encouraged some of these withdrawals.<\/p>\n
Almost every player who has pulled out is guaranteed to be named in their country\u2019s World Cup squad if fit. They know their national team\u2019s system and have little to prove to their coach. Thus, they\u2019d benefit very little from featuring in these friendlies.<\/p>\n
\n5\/11\/2011 \u2013 Starts vs Norwich <\/p>\n
11\/11\/2011 \u2013 Fabio Capello announces \u201cGabby\u201d will leave the England camp due to a HAMSTRING injury<\/p>\n
21\/11\/2011 \u2013 6 days later you magically start vs Spurs and lose. <\/p>\n
Do you deny these facts? If you have any shred of self respect, explain yourself. <\/a><\/p>\n