Declan Rice withdraws from England squad as Arsenal manage workload

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has withdrawn from the England squad after suffering an injury issue.

The Football Association officially confirmed Rice’s withdrawal on Monday alongside Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento.

All five players have been ruled out of England’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures because of respective injury problems.

No further details have yet been provided regarding the nature or severity of Rice’s issue.

Declan Rice withdraws from England duty

Rice had initially been selected by Thomas Tuchel for England’s unusually long four-match international window.

The Three Lions face Spain at Wembley on 26 September before travelling to Czechia and Croatia. They then host Czechia on 6 October.

Rice will now miss all four games.

The development adds another name to Arsenal’s fitness watchlist heading into the international break, with our latest Arsenal injury update tracking the current availability of Mikel Arteta’s squad.

It also changes the picture in our Arsenal international break tracker, with Rice no longer among the players departing for senior international duty.

Arsenal await further Rice injury news

There is currently no indication that Rice faces a significant spell on the sidelines.

However, Arsenal will hope the midfielder’s withdrawal is precautionary given his importance to Arteta’s side.

Rice has carried a substantial workload across club and international football and remains a central figure in Arsenal’s midfield.

His absence from England duty at least removes four potential international appearances from his schedule during the extended break.

Attention will now turn to whether Rice is available when Premier League football resumes.

Arsenal’s post-international-break fixture schedule begins with a demanding run of matches, making his fitness an important issue to monitor over the coming weeks.

Until Arsenal provide further information, the extent of the injury remains unclear.

What is confirmed is that Rice will play no part in England’s September and October Nations League fixtures.