Declan Rice Pushes for Early Arsenal Return

Declan Rice is reportedly keen to return to Arsenal for pre-season training sooner than his scheduled date. The midfielder is currently on holiday following England's World Cup campaign and is not due back at the club until August 10.

Managing Injury Concerns

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Rice, 27, has been managing neural pain in his hamstring since Christmas. He also experienced calf issues, a sickness bug, and fatigue during the World Cup. England coach Thomas Tuchel had stated that Rice was playing through "unbearable discomfort" during the tournament, as reported by The Standard.

Despite these concerns, Rice has been in contact with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta since the World Cup concluded. He has expressed a strong desire to return to training, which has eased any potential injury worries, according to The Standard.

Pre-Season Schedule

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Rice is scheduled to be in the third and final group of players to commence pre-season training next month. This group includes England teammates Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, as well as Spanish players Martin Zubimendi, David Raya, and Mikel Merino.

As with other players returning late, Rice will not be available for Arsenal's first official pre-season fixture against Girona. The subsequent match against Real Betis in Dublin will also likely come too soon for him.

However, Rice's proactive approach suggests he is aiming to be available for the Emirates Cup match against Borussia Dortmund on August 9. If he successfully integrates back into training and proves his fitness, he could feature in this game. This would provide him with valuable minutes before the Community Shield match against Manchester City on August 16.

Manager's Perspective

““When I speak to Declan Rice, he is already saying, ‘Ok, if I come this day, then I can play then’.””

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager

Arteta commented on the different pre-season groups, highlighting the importance of player attitude. He indicated that players like Rice expressing eagerness to return early is more impactful than the structured training plan itself, as reported by The Standard.