Mikel Arteta has rejected suggestions that Declan Rice is being overworked by Arsenal and said the club have taken better care of the midfielder this season.
Rice was among five Arsenal players selected by Thomas Tuchel for England’s latest squad, despite appearing tired during Wednesday’s Champions League win over Slavia Prague. He withdrew from England duty in September and was also left out of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup defeat by Fleetwood.
Arteta said the club had managed Rice carefully and dismissed concerns about his workload.
“Concerns?” he said. “Which is the only player in this squad that for two games in the Carabao Cup has been left out of the squad? At home with two days off. That’s my concern.
“It’s not true [that Rice has been overplayed]. We are really looking after him more than any other season. The way he’s training and all the love. That’s it.”
Another big step in the league phase ✊
Watch the highlights from our 2-1 away at Slavia Prague 🎞️ https://t.co/Pt9dLkYBmx
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 5, 2026
The Arsenal manager said the demands of playing for the club should not be a source of concern for Rice or his teammates.
Rice has also been working to add more to his game. He has recorded five assists in the Premier League this season, more than any other player, and scored once in the Champions League. Arteta said the midfielder was keen to keep improving.
“The mentality to go out and win football matches and to add another level to his game, another kind of threat and be much more unpredictable, and we’ve been working a lot on that,” Arteta said.
“He’s desperate to improve every part of his game, and we need to do that while we maintain so many incredible things that he’s already done, but he’s on the right trajectory.”
Arteta said Rice’s ability to play in several positions gave Arsenal plenty of options. He also wants to make better use of the midfielder’s long-range shooting.
Rice’s England call-up came alongside those of Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Eberechi Eze. White has returned to the national team for the first time since before the World Cup.
Five Gunners representing 🏴
Ben, Ezri, Ebs, Myles and Declan have received England call-ups 👏
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 6, 2026
Arteta said he valued having a strong English presence at Arsenal, especially players who had supported the club before joining.
“There is something that has to be within you, in your veins, in your roots,” he said. “When you are from here, you are so attached because we signed some players as well that they are already Arsenal supporters since they were kids and that has a different meaning.
“You can become one, which is great, and we have a few of them, but when it’s already there in your DNA it’s even more powerful and for me that’s very, very important.”
Noni Madueke was left out of Tuchel’s squad, but Arteta praised the winger’s response to his previous omission. Madueke trained abroad during the last international break.
“What he did is he went abroad and he trained,” Arteta said. “That’s Noni, and that’s his mindset. He wants to get better.”
Arteta said he would leave England selection decisions to Tuchel. He also said discussions about Rice’s long-term role at Arsenal remained focused on the immediate future.
“We haven’t been that far yet,” he said. “Obviously, we have still a lot to do. But what his performance was and impact on the team, I think it has to be short-term.”
