Arsenal will play the 2026 EFL Cup final against Manchester City without three of their key players: Eberechi Eze, Jurrien Timber, and Martin Odegaard. The common factor behind their absences? Injuries.
Despite playing in the midweek match against Bayer Leverkusen, Eze suffered a lower leg injury that rules him out of the EFL Cup final. Meanwhile, Timber sustained an ankle/groin injury against Everton and will also be sidelined in this crucial game.
The final absentee for the clash against Manchester City (who aren’t starting Gianluigi Donnarumma in net) is Danish star Martin Odegaard, who has been dealing with a knee injury that has kept him sidelined for several weeks.
“We tried everything [to get him fit for the game], but unfortunately he, Martin, Jurrien and Mikel are out,” Arteta said about Eze’s absence via Arsenal’s X account. Also, he spoke about Timber and Odegaard’s recovery: “They couldn’t make it, so I think they will still be a couple of weeks. Let’s see after the international break if we have anybody back.”
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal.
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