Declan Rice is playing with injury concerns for England, only raising the worry for Arsenal ahead of the new Premier League season
Arsenal have been living in fear this summer. With the World Cup ongoing and having played 63 matches, Mikel Arteta has watched 15 of his squad head out to North America to play between three and nine more matches.
Some of his team have already exited the competition with Piero Hincapie, Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz all seeing their respective nations knocked out. This will certainly be a boost for the Gunners, whose pre-season kicks off with the players returning in around a fortnight’s time.
Yet several players are already suffering from issues. William Saliba, for example, has a rumoured back problem that some reports claim could even require a procedure to correct after the tournament.
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Bukayo Saka has an ongoing Achilles tendonitis issue, which has seen him able to start just one of England’s four matches so far during the competition. His teammate Noni Madueke has been filling in for him at right wing for the Three Lions.
Lastly, however, is Declan Rice. The midfielder admitted to suffering from neural hamstring issues from the start of 2026.
He was taken off against Croatia after suffering a kick, and has been seen with ice and strapping around his leg. While in interviews, the Gunners’ record signing remains upbeat and insistent on his ability to play, there are concerns.
With England progressing through to the last 16, they will face Mexico in their own country. Win that, and suddenly the quarter-final arrives, potentially against Brazil, and this will both extend his stay in North America and thin the recovery time between his potential return to action for his club.
The Premier League starts on August 21, with Arsenal at home to Coventry City. Whereas the World Cup final is on July 19. If England go all the way, Rice would have three weeks off, not including any potential post-tournament celebrations, before returning to action.
Arsenal have an interest in a central midfield signing during the window. The necessity could grow further if Rice is not ready to start the new season.
