Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke have all withdrawn from the England squad before the friendly against Japan, leaving Arsenal with three fresh fitness concerns after the Uruguay game.
Arsenal have been dealt a fresh injury concern after Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke all withdrew from the England squad before Tuesday’s friendly against Japan. England confirmed that eight players left camp after the 1-1 draw with Uruguay, with Rice and Saka returning to Arsenal for medical assessment and Madueke pulling out after suffering a knock in the Wembley match.
For Arsenal, the most immediate concern is Madueke, whose withdrawal follows the injury scare he suffered during the first half against Uruguay. The winger was one of 11 players to return to camp after that match, but was then released along with Rice and Saka before England finalised the group for Japan. The official England update did not spell out the severity of the issue, but the fact Madueke has left camp so soon after picking up the knock will inevitably raise concern in north London.
Rice and Saka present a slightly different situation. Neither player featured against Uruguay, but both have now been sent back to Arsenal for what England described as medical assessment.
The timing is especially awkward for Arsenal because all three players occupy major roles in Arteta’s squad. Rice remains central in midfield, Saka is one of the side’s key attacking threats, and Madueke has been pushing to build momentum in his first season at the club. Madueke had already shown his value when called upon, particularly during periods when Arsenal needed extra depth in wide areas. This latest development means Arsenal will now spend the next few days assessing whether the England withdrawals amount to precaution, short-term disruption or something more serious.
From England’s point of view, the squad changes leave Thomas Tuchel with a reduced group for the Japan game. England said 27 players would remain in camp after the departures, with Madueke, Rice and Saka joined by John Stones, Adam Wharton, Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in leaving the setup. But from an Arsenal perspective, the wider England picture is secondary. The main issue is that three senior players have returned early from international duty, and all three now require further checks.
Until Arsenal provide an update, the situation remains one to monitor rather than define. What is clear already is that Rice, Saka and Madueke will play no further part for England in this window, leaving Arteta to wait on the outcome of three separate fitness concerns at a critical stage of the campaign.