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Arsenal star ruled out of first England game
(Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Ezri Konsa is set to miss England’s opening game of this international break against Croatia after being ruled out of the fixture. His absence is a setback for the national team, particularly given the defender’s importance and the confidence Thomas Tuchel has shown in him.

The defender is regarded as one of the best players in his position in the country and has earned Tuchel’s trust. The German manager regularly includes him in his squad, demonstrating the importance he places on having Konsa available for international duty.

He has also been an important performer for Arsenal since joining the Gunners in the summer from Aston Villa. His contributions have made him one of the club’s key players at the Emirates, and his continued development has been encouraging.

Konsa’s absence creates a selection change

Arsenal will be proud to see him representing his country, but his involvement against Croatia will have to wait. ESPN reports that Konsa will miss the match, with England already making arrangements to bring in a replacement for the defender.

According to the report, Tuchel has called up James Hill of Bournemouth to replace Konsa in the squad. The decision provides England with another defensive option ahead of their opening fixture of the international break.

However, Konsa has not been sent home from the England camp, leaving open the possibility that he could still feature later in the window.

England could still have Konsa available

Although Konsa is definitely unavailable for the Croatia match, there remains a possibility that he could recover in time for England’s next fixture against Spain. His situation will therefore be worth monitoring as the international break progresses.

Keeping him in the squad suggests that England are not ruling out his involvement in the second match. However, his availability will depend on his recovery and whether he is ready to return to action.

The two fixtures against Croatia and Spain are the Nations League matches England will contest during this international break. Tuchel and his players will be keen to secure victories in both games, making squad availability particularly important as they prepare for the challenges ahead.

This article first appeared on Just Arsenal and was syndicated with permission.

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