Arsenal have been warned they’ll pay the price long term if they don’t give Declan Rice an extended summer break.
The 27-year-old endured a relentless campaign that saw him play an exhausting 69 games, totalling 4,925 minutes across all competitions for club and country.
Rice missed just two Premier League for the Gunners, and featured in every World Cup game for the Three Lions.
He became a champion of England, starring in Mikel Arteta’s side with four goal contributions during their title-winning season.
Additionally, he helped propel England to their best ever finish at the World Cup since 1966, securing a third place finish with a 6-4 victory over France in the bronze medal match.
However, after featuring in nearly every fixture available, it’s clear that congested scheduling is mounting physical demands on Rice.
He was managing a hamstring issue in North America, having already suffered from a dead calf and minor knee injuries earlier in the season.
Immediately after England’s final game of the tournament, Rice said: “That’s what you do [play through injury] when you get to come to a World Cup. It’s an honour, you do anything you can to put on this shirt.
“You never know when it’s going to come to an end, you never take it for granted.
“The body’s been through a lot this season. I think you can see I’m mentally done, physically done. I need a break now.”
And Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony insists Arsenal must not rush Rice back from his break.
MacAnthony told talkSPORT: “I’d be saying to him, you go away for like a month, go get a holiday with your family, and then we’re going to do a month of light training, and you’re not going to touch a football for a couple of months.
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“Because that kid, he’s not a kid, he’s 27 now, he will be burnt out by 30. You know, the body, it’s amazing what football can do to the body, and we’ve seen over the years.
“Do you remember Fabinho at Liverpool? He was phenomenal one season, and over one summer he aged ten years.”
Saka concern
Rice is not the only Arsenal star facing physical strain after a relentless 12 months.
Arsenal have also confirmed William Saliba will be sidelined for an extended period with a back injury.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka arrived at the World Cup with a persistent Achilles issue.
Even England manager Thomas Tuchel felt the winger needed careful management, opting not to allow the 24-year-old to train every day.
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MacAnthony added: “Sometimes it’s the wear and tear on the engine, right? And you worry about that for say Rice, you worry about Saka with his hamstrings now, his Achilles that he’s got those issues with.
“So they’re going to have to handle it really, really well.”
