Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze is out of England’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan due to a calf injury, with Harvey Barnes potentially replacing him.
Eberechi Eze, Arsenal’s talented midfielder, has been ruled out of England’s upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan due to a calf injury. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed Eze’s absence after he missed the League Cup final against Manchester City.
Eze had been named in Thomas Tuchel’s 35-man squad for the international fixtures, scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium. However, his fitness issues have ruled him out, and he’ll undergo another scan in six or seven days to assess the severity of his injury.
Arteta said, “No, he’s out. We have to do another scan in six or seven days and wait and see the results. It is a leg injury. His calf.”
🚨⚠️ Eberechi Eze will miss England games with calf injury.
Arteta: “We have to do another scan in 6-7 days… wait and see the results”. pic.twitter.com/tDshPCoA3d
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 22, 2026
The timing is particularly cruel for Eze, who has been in scintillating form, helping Arsenal maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League standings.
With Eze’s absence, other fringe players may get a chance to impress Tuchel. Reports suggest Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes is the frontrunner to replace him. Barnes has been in clinical form for the Magpies, netting 14 goals this season. He was previously eligible for Scotland but chose to represent England, and this could be his chance to shine.
