Arsen Zakharyan is likely to miss Russia's friendly against Uzbekistan in Tashkent

Injury on the eve of the match in Tashkent

Real Sociedad midfielder Arsen Zakharyan is expected to miss the Russian national team's November friendlies due to an injury. RIA Novosti was told this by the player's representative, Gennady Golubin. Zakharyan had previously been included in the extended national team squad, but head coach Valery Karpin said the player had suffered an ankle injury. In addition, Real Sociedad did not include the player in the matchday squad for the Europa League game against Lyon.

What the player's agent said

“Arsen twisted his ankle, but he has already started training with the main group; before that he was sidelined, which is why he was not included in the squad, since he needs to play in the Europa League. As for the national team, judging by what Karpin said, I think he won't make it. Things just aren't working out with the national team. I think he will be able to play in the Spanish championship,” Daryo.uz quotes Golubin as saying. Thus, the final decision rests with the coaching staff: the agent is merely relaying Karpin's words and his own assessment of the situation.

National team calendar and player statistics

On November 12, the Russian national team will play a match in Tashkent against the national team of Uzbekistan, and on November 17 in Krasnodar it will face the Venezuela national team. This season, Zakharyan has made 7 appearances for Real Sociedad in all competitions and scored 2 goals. For Uzbekistan, the absence of one of the opponent's key midfielders is a notable factor ahead of the home game, although formally Zakharyan is still only “expected” to be on the list of absentees: no confirmed replacement or final decision from the coaching staff has been announced in the publications.