MADRID: Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi left the Spain squad on Sunday due to “problems” in his right knee and will not play in Tuesday’s friendly match against Egypt in Barcelona, reported Xinhua.
The Spanish Football Federation announced that Zubimendi would return to his club “in order not to take any risks and to preserve the health of the player”.
The news means Zubimendi will not play for Spain again before coach Luis de la Fuente names his squad for the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, which kicks off on June 12.
Zubimendi played the final 13 minutes of Spain’s 3-0 friendly win over Serbia in Villarreal on Friday. However, he has been a regular in De la Fuente’s plans over the past two years, and his place this summer does not appear to be in danger.
The Spain coach will now have to decide whether to start Manchester City’s Rodrigo Hernandez against Egypt at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium in Barcelona or give minutes to another player such as Real Sociedad’s Carlos Soler.
Meanwhile, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta is hoping Zubimendi’s injury is not serious as his side looks to win this season’s Premier League and also challenge for the Champions League and FA Cup, where it faces Southampton on April 4. – BERNAMA-XINHUA
