Eberechi Eze Ruled Out of England Friendlies With Calf Injury

• Eberechi Eze withdraws from England squad for games against Uruguay and Japan
• Mikel Arteta confirms midfielder will undergo further scans on calf injury
• Harvey Barnes under consideration as potential replacement

Eberechi Eze has been ruled out of England national team’s upcoming friendlies against Uruguay national team and Japan national team due to a calf injury.

The Arsenal midfielder had been included in Thomas Tuchel’s 35-man squad but did not feature in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the extent of the issue.

“No. He’s out,” Arteta said. “We have to do another scan in six or seven days and wait and see the results. It is his calf.”

A source indicated that Harvey Barnes is being considered as a possible replacement, although the The Football Association has yet to confirm any changes.

Despite the setback, Arsenal remain in a strong position domestically, sitting nine points clear at the top of the Premier League while still competing in both the FA Cup and the Champions League.

Arteta urged his players to use the disappointment of their Wembley defeat as motivation for the remainder of the season.

“What this team has done in the last eight months has been incredible,” he said. “We’re going to use this disappointment to have the most amazing two months that we have ever had together.”

Arteta also defended his decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal ahead of David Raya, despite the error that led to City’s opening goal.

“Errors are part of football,” he said. “Today it happened in a crucial moment.”