Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is confident that Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice will be ready for the start of the season after a gruelling summer at Euro 2024.
Saka and Rice both started every game as England lost to Spain in last week’s Berlin final and were subsequently left out of Arsenal’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Rice played the joint-most minutes of anyone at Euro 2024 and covered more ground than any other player. Saka on the other hand, ranked sixth for minutes played and was the second-most fouled player at the tournament.
Despite their stats at the European Championship, Arteta believe they will be available for the start of the season.
Bukayo Saka of England (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Asked if Rice and Saka will miss the start of the new Premier League season, Arsenal boss Arteta said: “I do not think so.
“Let’s see what condition they come back in. All of the messages I have got from them, they are really excited to come back and have a great season again. I do not expect anything else.
“There is a very well thought-out plan of integration, but we cannot expect them to go from sunbeds to training at 100 miles per hour.
“They need to be able to get up to speed. When they come back we will be working closely with them to follow the rhythm of the rest of the boys.
“When your mind is telling you to come back, then I think you need to follow your mind. They need some rest, they had a week as well before they started the Euros.
“We will manage them, but if they are willing that means that they want to, so let’s do it.”
Arsenal will be looking to build on their impressive form last season as they aim to end Manchester City dominance in the Premier League.
