Arsenal played 63 games last season, more than any other side from Europe’s big five leagues.
The Gunners endured a physically and mentally draining season which culminated in a Premier League title and a Champions League final.
It was an extraordinary campaign, and the toll of it has followed their players all the way to North America.
Fifteen Arsenal players went to the World Cup, and some of them, to varying degrees, look physically spent.
🏆 Which Arsenal star will go the furthest at this summer’s World Cup?
Zubimendi and Spain? Saka and England? Saliba and France?
Roy Keane has noticed.
Roy Keane says it’s amazing how Arsenal players are carrying injuries at the World Cup
Speaking on Stick to Football, in response to Gary Neville raising the subject of Declan Rice carrying an injury, Keane said that’s been a common theme among Arsenal players at the tournament.
“That’s the norm with all of the Arsenal players,” he said. “All of the Arsenal players at this World Cup are carrying injuries. It’s amazing.”
Rice has looked visibly knackered after England games, with a BBC reporter noting pitchside that he looked “absolutely frazzled” after the win over DR Congo.
He has been managing discomfort in his lower back and hamstring throughout the tournament and has clearly not been at his best level.
Bukayo Saka has been sharing minutes with Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke as Thomas Tuchel carefully manages his Achilles problem.
Even Ian Wright has admitted Saka looks so far from his best.
William Saliba has been performing well enough for France but is playing through a back injury expected to require surgery after the tournament.
Martin Odegaard is also not quite himself, almost certainly a residual effect of his fitness battles from last season.
Despite that, the Norway captain has provided an assist in three consecutive World Cup games, becoming only the third player in football history to do so.
Arsenal’s World Cup injuries could disrupt Mikel Arteta’s plans next season
Arsenal begin their campaign with the Community Shield clash against Manchester City on 16 August, before their Premier League opener against Coventry five days later.
With the World Cup final on 19 July, players who advance deep into the tournament will have little time to properly recover in time.
Mikel Arteta must manage his best players’ minutes differently next season. Rice cannot be expected to play every game across every competition again. Saliba’s potential surgery could rule him out for the start of the campaign entirely.
💰 Bruno Guimaraes is turning 29 in November and has TWO years left on his contract… How much should Arsenal pay to sign him?
That is why interest in the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa make such perfect sense. This is the calibre of player who will ensure the levels don’t drop even without their best players.
Arsenal have an opportunity to build a dynasty but they cannot do that with the same group of players running themselves into the ground year after year.
Getting the right reinforcements in this summer is imperative.
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