Declan Rice dismisses Arsenal concern after extraordinary 69-game season

Declan Rice has played down concerns over his Arsenal workload after an extraordinary 69-game season for club and country.

The midfielder remains one of Mikel Arteta’s most important players despite Arsenal significantly strengthening their options during the summer.

Rice completed another 90 minutes as the Gunners opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Napoli on Wednesday night.

That followed a gruelling 2025/26 campaign and World Cup which tested the England international physically.

"I think for the last six seasons, even since my West Ham days when they were in Europe, I've played 60+ [games] every season so I think it is sustainable, because I've shown that I can do it." 😅

Declan Rice is a machine 🤖 pic.twitter.com/DIdlysguMv

— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) September 10, 2026

Declan Rice confident over Arsenal workload

Rice made 69 appearances for Arsenal and England last season and continued playing despite managing neural pain around his back and hamstring.

Arsenal have consequently been conscious of his workload heading into the new campaign.

However, Rice insists he remains capable of sustaining that level.

Speaking to The Guardian, the 27-year-old said he believes playing more than 60 matches across a season is sustainable and described himself as feeling refreshed.

That is encouraging for Arteta.

Rice’s importance meant Arsenal relied heavily upon him during their Premier League title-winning campaign, even while his body was being pushed towards its limits.

The arrival of Bruno Guimarães has at least given Arteta another elite midfield option.

As ReadArsenal explained in its summer transfer-window verdict, Guimarães joined a midfield already containing Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino.

That depth should make rotation considerably easier.

Rice nevertheless remains difficult to leave out.

He has already helped Arsenal make a perfect start to their Premier League title defence and played the full match in Naples just three days before Saturday’s trip to Sunderland.

Arteta must therefore decide whether Rice’s confidence in his own durability is enough to justify another start at the Stadium of Light.

The midfielder is also among Arsenal’s leading contenders in the 2026 Ballon d’Or nominations following his performances last season.