England are out of the World Cup.
That is despite being 1-0 up against Argentina until the 85th minute, when they crumbled in devastating fashion as Lionel Messi set up two goals in the closing stages to win 2-1.
With the way Thomas Tuchel adapted in-game, conceding any pressure and inviting Argentina to break them down by putting six defenders on the pitch, they got what they deserved.
There is at least one small comfort for Arsenal fans, though. None of the Premier League champions were on the field during the collapse.
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Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and, bafflingly, Bukayo Saka didn’t feature at all from the substitute’s bench.
Whether England’s fate would have been different had Tuchel trusted his Arsenal players more is a question Gunners fans will point to.
But the bigger concern is Declan Rice, and Gary Neville has put it plainly.
Gary Neville’s verdict on Declan Rice’s World Cup
Speaking on Stick to Football, Neville laid out one of the main reasons England were left disappointed.
“But I just think, look, you look at today, Declan definitely, he’s not been right since day one, has he?” the former Manchester United defender said.
“Look, that’s a big problem for us. Him not having the energy and the speed and the getting to the ball. We know what he’s like, he’s a fantastic player.
“He’s not been right since day one, has he?”
No, he hasn’t.
As Roy Keane pointed out, Arsenal players carrying an injury at this World Cup has been a theme, unfortunately, and Rice looked “absolutely frazzled” after the DR Congo win earlier in the tournament.
The £105million midfielder has been managing a neural issue in his lower back and hamstring since around Christmas.
He also battled illness before the Norway quarter-final, and has never really looked quite like the dominant engine Arsenal fans know him to be at his best.
Signing Bruno Guimaraes will allow Declan Rice to get back to his best
Arsenal’s medical overhaul this summer was directly inspired by the toll last season took on their players.
Rice’s World Cup has showed exactly why that overhaul was needed.
Saka has also had to be carefully managed all summer, and to make matters worse, William Saliba is now facing four to five months out to recover from a back injury.
Rice needs a proper rest and will need to be rotated more next season, which is exactly why it is so important that Andrea Berta gets the Bruno Guimaraes deal over the line.
Arteta wants a midfielder who can come in and not only partner Rice, but to provide top-quality cover for him too.
With the title defence beginning on 21 August, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Rice sit out the first couple of games of the new season entirely. He deserves a proper, thorough rest.
Arsenal need him at his best. Not half-fit, running on fumes.
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