The Arsenal midfielder has played more than 60 games in the calendar year and admitted he was “devastated” after the narrow win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Arsenal’s Declan Rice watches the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea (Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Speaking ahead of the World Cup, Declan Rice said: “It’s a crazy amount of games. I’m exhausted from sitting out every game.”
But he wasn’t talking about impending tournaments in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The quote came in October 2022, just one month before the World Cup kicks off in Qatar. Rice, who was at West Ham United at the time, calculated that he had played 68 games in the calendar year, hence the “despicable” comment.
Over the past 12 months, Rice has made 65 appearances for Arsenal and England. It’s almost obscene.
read more: Arsenal fans mock John Terry as Chelsea legend gives humiliating reaction to cup defeatread more: Tottenham and Arsenal’s January transfer window moves criticized as ‘a step backwards’
Join us on Facebook! For the latest news, analysis and more on our Mirror Football Facebook page
Although it is unlikely that Arsenal will complete a quadruple this season, Rice could make a further 27 appearances for the club before joining England and Thomas Tuchel in their World Cup preparations. Modern managers often talk about players being in the “red zone,” which is probably a technical term for fatigue. Rice has to live his life in the red zone.
He said he was “devastated” after Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Chelsea in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final ensured a rematch. And he looked devastated. “Honestly, the schedule was ridiculous.”
Finishing the first phase of the Champions League in first place helped, but Arsenal’s schedule remains tough. And, of course, the issue isn’t how many games Rice has played or how many games he’s played, the 27-year-old has played an astonishing 460 games in his professional career, but it’s his style of play.
Rice, who was already in line for the Player of the Match award, burst onto the field at the end of second-half stoppage time against Chelsea and provided the assist for Kai Havertz’s winning goal. No one looks as tired as Rice, but no one seems as tireless as Rice. He’s Mr. Box to Box.
An unblemished season in the Champions League means Arsenal will have a few weeks of free time, but Mikel Arteta will be conscious of managing Rice’s minutes over the coming months. And the Arsenal manager could hold talks with Tuchel in the coming weeks.
After the Carabao Cup final on Sunday 22nd March, there will be an international break, with England taking on Uruguay and Japan at Wembley. Even now, one would hope and assume that Tuchel will not start Rice in both games, but there are cases where it is unavoidable for him to be rested completely.
England captain Harry Kane was not in his best form ahead of Euro 2024 (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
It is certain that the physical demands of this summer’s World Cup will be tough. From that perspective, planning needs to be done more thoroughly than ever before.
Rice is not the only species that requires careful management. Harry Kane clearly wasn’t 100% fit or motivated when he took part in Euro 2024.
Tuchel only held a March camp before announcing his World Cup squad, but of course Rice’s place in that squad, like that of many other players, is beyond doubt. Of course, the England manager will want to work on his tactics, strengthen ties and continue to communicate his ethos to his players.
He’ll want to have them all there, that’s for sure – including Rice and Kane. And there’s no doubt that guys like Rice and Kane want to be there.
But the international holidays may be the time for Rice to take some time off. Because after the win against Chelsea he definitely looked like he needed it.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can always check out. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts
£49
£35
sky
Get the deal here
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.
