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Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the international break have suffered a setback following the withdrawal of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, who have both returned to Arsenal for medical evaluations. The pair had only joined the England squad on Friday after being rested for the 1-1 draw against Uruguay but will now miss the upcoming friendly against Japan. The Football Association announced their departure along with six other players, leaving the squad noticeably depleted ahead of the Wembley encounter.

Arsenal trio lead the wave of withdrawals

The timing of the exits has frustrated Tuchel, who had hoped to reintegrate his senior players after giving them a short break. Instead, the Arsenal duo return to north London to undergo further assessments, adding to Mikel Arteta’s growing list of fitness concerns. With the Premier League title race entering its decisive phase, Arsenal supporters will be anxious about the medical updates on two of their key figures.

Tuchel voices concern over Madueke injury

While the returns of Rice and Saka are understood to be precautionary, there is increasing worry regarding Noni Madueke, who suffered a heavy fall on his left knee during the draw with Uruguay. The 24-year-old had to be substituted in the 37th minute after a strong challenge from Rodrigo Aguirre and was later seen leaving the stadium wearing a protective brace on his leg. It is a major setback for the winger, who had been pushing to secure a regular spot in Tuchel’s plans.

Speaking about the situation, Tuchel said of the Arsenal winger: “I’m worried, of course, because I think he was a difference-maker. He started well, he was full of energy, he was ready to go. Very sad and upset and hopefully it's not a big injury. And I think against a team like Uruguay, who rely on one-against-ones, to isolate them, he makes the spaces open up and he could have been a key player for us, which he is.”

Stones and Wharton add to injury woes

The injury issues extend beyond the Arsenal camp, with Manchester City’s John Stones also forced to withdraw after sustaining a calf problem. Stones had been expected to start against Uruguay but experienced discomfort during the warm-up, prompting his removal from the lineup. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has also returned to his club for treatment as the physical toll of the international schedule continues to mount.

Tuchel expressed empathy for Stones, saying: “He's obviously very upset and at the moment he gets my full support because it helps him more than putting more pressure.” Other players who have departed include Fikayo Tomori, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. However, these changes are partly tactical, as Tuchel aims to freshen up his squad and provide opportunities for late arrivals.

New arrivals ease pressure but challenges persist

Despite the number of withdrawals, England will be strengthened by the return of captain Harry Kane and several others who joined the camp on Friday. Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon and Marc Guehi are also expected to feature in the clash with Japan as Tuchel continues to fine-tune his team ahead of the World Cup. The manager previously explained his approach to splitting the squad to better manage player workloads during a demanding season.

The current England squad stands at 27 players, with defender Ben White still included despite being jeered by sections of the Wembley crowd during the Uruguay game. Making his first appearance since the 2022 World Cup, White had a mixed evening—scoring England’s only goal before conceding the penalty that brought the South Americans level. Tuchel must now focus on lifting team morale and finding the right combination to secure a positive result against Japan, despite the absence of several key starters.