Mikel Arteta's plans with Arsenal are facing a critical test as the final stretch of the season approaches. The withdrawal of 11 players from their national teams during the recent international break has raised serious concerns about the impact of these absences on the team's campaign in the Premier League and the Champions League.

This crisis comes at a sensitive time following Arsenal's loss to Manchester City in the League Cup final, where a series of withdrawals began with defender William Saliba, who was absent due to an ankle injury. He was followed by Jurrien Timber (thigh injury), and captain Martin Ødegaard was out due to an ongoing knee issue. The list of absentees also included key names such as Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhães, and Leandro Trossard.

Concerns grew after Noni Madueke and Piero Hincapié were injured during their international appearances, with Madueke seen leaving the field in a protective brace, suggesting they might miss the upcoming match against Southampton in the FA Cup.

The absence of Martin Zubimendi, who has played the most minutes this season, is an additional blow to the midfield ahead of the anticipated Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon.

With the team having played 50 matches so far in a marathon season, and with the possibility of playing 15 additional matches, Arteta finds himself compelled to balance the club's ambitions of achieving the historic "treble" with the exhaustion of his players' roster.