{"id":330,"date":"2026-03-18T07:05:44","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T07:05:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=330"},"modified":"2026-03-18T07:05:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T07:05:44","slug":"major-arsenal-fear-as-star-hobbles-off-before-man-city-carabao-cup-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=330","title":{"rendered":"Major Arsenal fear as star hobbles off before Man City Carabao Cup final"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_973307\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Eberechi Eze scored a stunning goal to help Arsenal beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in the Champions League, but the midfielder&#8217;s injury concerns could rule him out of the Carabao Cup final<\/h2>\n<p><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36884349\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Two individuals are present on a football field, one in a red and white uniform with the number &quot;4&quot; on the back, and the other in a gray uniform, both appearing to be in a state of readiness or preparation.\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884349.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_Screenshot-2026-03-17-at-213417.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884349.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/1_Screenshot-2026-03-17-at-213417.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884349.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/1_Screenshot-2026-03-17-at-213417.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884349.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_Screenshot-2026-03-17-at-213417.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Eberechi Eze makes an early exit with injury after scoring for Arsenal against Leverkusen in the Champions League round of 16 clash\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Eberechi Eze makes an early exit with injury after scoring for Arsenal against Leverkusen in the Champions League round of 16 clash<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal star Eberechi Eze was withdrawn by Mikel Arteta with the clash against Bayer Leverkusen virtually secured, but raised alarm bells after signalling for a substitution.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Eze had handed the Gunners a vital breakthrough with a spectacular first-half strike and now could leave his boss anxious about his fitness for the Carabao Cup final showdown with Manchester City.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The goalscorer appeared to tweak something before being taken off as Arteta turned to his substitutes following Declan Rice&#8217;s goal that doubled Arsenal&#8217;s advantage at the Emirates. The midfield ace was withdrawn for former Leverkusen hero Kai Havertz. Eze sought to ease worries about his early exit at the final whistle. Speaking post-match, Eze said: &#8220;Yeah, I&#8217;m alright, I&#8217;ll be okay.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36884353\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36884353\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Eberechi Eze goes down injured during Arsenal's Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen \" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884353.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884353.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/1_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884353.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/1_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884353.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Eberechi Eze goes down injured during Arsenal's Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Eberechi Eze goes down injured during Arsenal&#8217;s Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen <cite aria-label=\"Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The 27-year-old netted a thunderbolt to propel Arsenal towards the Champions League quarter-finals, after the Gunners returned from the BayArena with nothing last week, needing triumph against their German visitors on Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Eze&#8217;s strike and display played a significant part in getting the Premier League pacesetters back on course in Europe. The goal will certainly remain etched in the midfielder&#8217;s memory.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t know if I could dream of scoring a goal like that,&#8221; Eze said. &#8220;It&#8217;s a special goal, I&#8217;m going to remember it for a long time. I&#8217;ll be rewatching this one for a long time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36884354\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36884354\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Eberechi Eze receives treatment on the pitch\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884354.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Monaco-vs-Paris-SG-play-off-Champions-League-20252026-26076775202899.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884354.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Monaco-vs-Paris-SG-play-off-Champions-League-20252026-26076775202899.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884354.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Monaco-vs-Paris-SG-play-off-Champions-League-20252026-26076775202899.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884354.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Monaco-vs-Paris-SG-play-off-Champions-League-20252026-26076775202899.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Eberechi Eze receives treatment on the pitch\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Eberechi Eze receives treatment on the pitch<cite aria-label=\"Image: AP\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: AP)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Former Arsenal and West Ham centre-back Matthew Upson reckons the midfielder is beginning to settle into life in north London following his summer arrival.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">JOIN US ON FB!<\/strong> Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Just finding the change of gear to play at a club like Arsenal takes a little bit of time to settle in,&#8221; Upson explained. &#8220;Eze is up and down at the moment but he&#8217;s getting there. Especially a season like this, there&#8217;s so much winning pressure, a slip up is around the corner at every moment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Despite his encouraging comments, Eze&#8217;s early departure will spark some worry, with Arteta&#8217;s team aiming to claim their first trophy this weekend. Arsenal meet title rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36884356\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36884356\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring Arsenal's first goal against Leverkusen in the Champions League\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884356.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884356.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884356.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36884356.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring Arsenal's first goal against Leverkusen in the Champions League\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring Arsenal&#8217;s first goal against Leverkusen in the Champions League<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal haven&#8217;t lifted the trophy since 1993, suffering final heartbreak on three occasions since. They&#8217;ve been beaten by Chelsea, Birmingham City and Manchester City.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arteta had already begun rotating his squad prior to Eze&#8217;s untimely withdrawal. The Spanish boss introduced three changes immediately following Rice&#8217;s strike in the second half. Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Gabriel Martinelli came on for Martin Zubimendi, Ben White and Leandro Trossard.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal&#8217;s 2-0 triumph propels them into the Champions League quarter-finals. They&#8217;ll meet Sporting CP for a semi-final berth after the Portuguese side pulled off an extraordinary comeback against Bodo\/Glimt, overturning a 3-0 first-leg disadvantage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Eberechi Eze scored a stunning goal to help Arsenal beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":331,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-330","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=330"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}