Declan Rice dismisses Arsenal workload fears after World Cup frustration

Declan Rice has closed the door on the fitness concerns that marked the end of his previous campaign and is approaching the new season with Arsenal without doubts about his ability to sustain a demanding schedule. The England international, a key figure in Mikel Arteta's side, played 69 matches for club and country last season, a figure he considers manageable given his preparation and his track record.

• Rice finished the last campaign with 69 official appearances for Arsenal and England.
• The midfielder confirms he was dealing with a neural hamstring injury during the World Cup.
• Arsenal opened their Champions League group stage campaign with a 1-0 win over Napoli thanks to a Martin Odegaard goal.
• The England international says he rested completely over the summer and feels fresh to compete at the highest level again.

The challenge of playing more than 60 games a season

Rice's workload has once again become a talking point after a marathon season in which Arsenal reached the Champions League final and England made it to the World Cup semi-finals. Despite visible signs of fatigue during his time with the national team, the midfielder points to his history as proof that he can cope: since his West Ham days, when he was already competing in Europe, he has consistently exceeded 60 games per season.

I think for the last six seasons, even since my West Ham days when it was in Europe, I've played 60 plus every season. So I think it is sustainable because I've shown that I can do it.

Rice insists the key is not just the number of matches, but maintaining consistency and performance levels. His goal is to show up every week ready to help the team win, a demand he embraces with renewed ambition for the new season.

How he overcame the hamstring problem

During England's camp in the United States, Rice dealt with a neural hamstring injury that limited his freshness at various stages of the tournament. The player admits the combination of a demanding Premier League season, the Champions League and the heat of the World Cup took a toll on his performances, preventing him from feeling at his best at certain moments.

An illness before the match against Norway added to that frustration. Rice explains there were games where he felt genuinely sharp, such as against Congo, and others where he fell short of his best level. The solution was a complete break over the summer, a rest that has restored his energy for the new campaign.

The boost from the European opener against Napoli

Arsenal began their Champions League group stage with a narrow victory over Napoli. A single goal from Martin Odegaard was enough to secure the first three points and strengthen the ambitions of a team determined to challenge for the continental title again.

For Rice, that winning start comes at an ideal moment. The midfielder is relieved to have put his previous fitness issues behind him and says he is ready to take on another demanding season in England and in Europe.

The redemption he wants after the final defeat to PSG

The Champions League carries a special meaning for Rice this season. Arsenal lost last year's final to Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shoot-out that was as cruel as it was unforgettable, and the midfielder makes no secret of his desire for revenge.

That memory fuels the England international's motivation as he approaches the European competition hungry to reach the decisive rounds again and, this time, lift the trophy. The opening win over Napoli is a solid first step in a schedule that looks intense from the very start.

Frequently asked questions about Declan Rice and his fitness