Article by Daniel Grigore – Published on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 08:16 / Updated on Tuesday, 31 March 2026 08:16
Former England international Gabriel Agbonlahor (39) is calling for the introduction of a rule that would give some clubs serious headaches, but Arsenal in particular, if we refer to what has happened in this international window.
No less than 10 Arsenal stars have withdrawn from their national teams during this international break. Last on the list is Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi, due to “discomfort in his right knee”.
With the Gunners still in the running for three trophies, many suspect that the high number of withdrawals from the national teams would be behind the club's desire to keep them fresh for the crucial part of the season. Suspicions have long hung over Manchester City, whose players often did the same.
In this context, Gabriel Agbonlahor, the legendary former Aston Villa player, tells talkSPORT that the Premier League should punish those who sacrifice their national teams at the expense of club teams without having an indisputable reason.
After the “gunners” exodus, demand that the players be suspended for one match if they leave the national team!
“Everybody was saying at the weekend that Ben White deserved to be booed when he came on. Well, he's the only Arsenal player left in the England squad. (Noni) Madueke, no problem, you pulled out, you got injured against Uruguay, it was a pretty tough tackle.
I look at players like (Jurrien) Timber, (Eberechi) Eze, (Martin) Odegaard, they all pulled out because they didn't play against Manchester City. With these four players I have no problem.
But (Piero) Hincapie, (Bukayo) Saka, (Declan) Rice, Gabriel, (William) Saliba, (Leandro) Trossard, (Martin) Zubimendi had no problem against Manchester City. It just doesn't feel right to me.
If I were in the Premier League and I had to make a decision, I would introduce a new rule: you miss the next available Premier League match if you retire from the national team. I'm telling you, the players will stop backing out. Playing for your country is an honor.
If I were Harry Kane, I would talk about it and say: “Come on guys, let's not go back to what we were doing four or five years ago, when players were retiring on the conveyor belt”.
I understand, (Mikel) Arteta is doing everything possible to win these trophies. Their next game after the international break is in the FA Cup against Southampton.
I just don't like it when players retire from the national team. It's an honor to play for your country. It doesn't seem right to me”, said the former 3-capped England striker.
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In the race for 3 trophies, Arsenal will play at least 6 matches in April. If they get past Southampton in the League Cup quarter-finals and Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-finals, the number of matches in April will rise to eight.
