New Arsenal signing withdraws from international duty with ‘knee problems’

Selina Cerci has withdrawn from the Germany squad with a knee problem, providing a possible explanation for her limited involvement since joining Arsenal, and adding to the Gunners’ ever-growing injury list.

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Selina Cerci has withdrawn from the Germany squad with “knee problems”, raising the possibility that the injury is behind her limited involvement since joining Arsenal in the summer.

Arsenal signed Cerci from Hoffenheim on a free transfer after the long-time Arsenal supporter scored 34 goals in 47 appearances for the German club.

Her arrival appeared to give Arsenal another proven goalscoring option, but Cerci has barely featured during the opening weeks of the season despite the team struggling for goals.

The forward has played only 55 minutes for Arsenal, all from the bench across four substitute appearances, while remaining an unused substitute on one further occasion.

Only 37 of those minutes have come in the Women’s Super League, with the remaining 18 in the Champions League. Despite her limited involvement, she has already proven key by winning an injury-time penalty for the Gunners against Paris FC in the Champions League.

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Her lack of involvement had prompted questions among supporters, particularly given Cerci’s goalscoring record before arriving in north London.

She was nevertheless selected for Germany despite her limited minutes at club level, only to withdraw from the squad because of “knee problems”.

There has been no indication of how serious the problem is or how long it has been affecting her, so it cannot be said with certainty that it explains her limited Arsenal involvement.

It does, however, offer a possible explanation for why a summer signing with a strong scoring record has so far been used so sparingly.

Cerci’s problem also adds to an ever-growing injury list.

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Earlier this week, Smilla Holmberg had to sit out training with Sweden after picking up a foot problem,

Mariona Caldentey is out with a hamstring injury that Renee Slegers said “doesn’t look good”, as is Chloe Kelly.

Michelle Agyemang and Katie Reid are continuing their recovery from ACL injuries, although the former is hopeful of returning ‘soon’, while Daphne van Domselaar is struggling with her own knee issues and new signing, Elisa de Almeida has a muscular problem.

You can keep up-to-date with all Arsenal’s injuries on our dedicated Arsenal injury updates page.

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