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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Declan Rice suffered from cramps towards the end of the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, August 17. The Gunners started their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win at the Emirates.
Kai Havertz (25') and Bukayo Saka (74') found the back of the net for Arsenal who dominated proceedings. Rice started the game in midfield but suffered from cramps towards the end. Arteta took no chances and replaced him with Gabriel Jesus in the 85th minute.
After the game, Arteta confirmed to the media that Rice was suffering from a cramp. He said (via football.lodnon):
"Rice was suffering with cramp at the end of the game."
Declan Rice had a long 2023-24 season, making 51 appearances across competitions for Arsenal. He also played seven games for England during Euro 2024 where the Three Lions finished runners-up to Spain. Out of those seven matches, two games went into extra time.
The defensive midfielder had little time to cool down before returning to action with his club to face Wolves. The tenacious schedule showed its effect as Rice couldn't complete the game on Saturday.
The Gunners will next play Aston Villa in an away league fixture on August 24.
Mikel Arteta makes big admission on Arsenal stars' fitness
Several Arsenal players played crucial roles for their national teams during Euro 2024. The likes of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice played until the final with England. Both players had little time to refresh before the new season.
While Saka has started the season with a goal, the workload has taken its toll on Rice. Following the game, Arteta was asked whether he contemplated leaving out the England duo. The Spaniard replied (via football.london):
"First of all yeah. You have to really understand where they are. Those kids have been through a lot the past two years. When you see that, that is genuine I think."
The truth is that the grueling fixture of European and English football will only get more taxing as the season progresses. Hence, keeping players like Saka and Rice fit would be challenging for Arsenal's medical team.
Arteta might consider an economic approach in using them considering the team are also in the UEFA Champions League.
