Thomas Tuchel just confirmed Arsenal fans' worst Declan Rice fear

Declan Rice was withdrawn late on in England's World Cup round of 32 win over DR Congo and Thomas Tuchel has now confirmed what Arsenal fans feared most.

The Three Lions manager revealed that while the midfielder is likely to be fit to face Mexico, he is playing through "terrible pain" which he is unable to take anymore.

The Premier League winner has been one of the Gunners' most crucial players since joining the club in 2023, but his high amount of game time has been a huge cause for concern with those fears now being confirmed.

Thomas Tuchel just confirmed Arsenal fans' worst Declan Rice fear

Rice has struggled with fitness so far in the World Cup, being withdrawn against Croatia and DR Congo, as well as missing the final group stage match against Panama with a calf injury, meaning he has completed a full 90 minutes just once so far at the tournament.

Despite his inconsistency on the fitness front, the midfielder was crucial in the comeback victory over Congo, filling in at right back following Djed Spence's substitution before being withdrawn himself in the 90th minute.

Speaking to the press ahead of his side's round of 16 clash with Mexico, Tuchel said: "I asked him very late, and he said ‘I can do it for the team, but I am in terrible pain.' When Declan tells you that he is in terrible pain, then you know he cannot take it any more, so he was grateful that we took him off. He just said after the game it’s not an issue, he will recover, so there is no injury. He was just in pain, so I hope he is right. It’s more nerval pain."

The good news is that it's not an injury. The bad news is that it's clear Rice is struggling with his general fitness and there will no doubt be a worry from Arsenal fans that he is on the brink of suffering a serious issue that could affect how he begins the 2026/27 season.

As he played a pivotal role in the Gunners' Premier League title win, their challenge in all four competitions and England's build-up to the World Cup, Rice has played 5167 minutes so far this campaign, starting 59 of his 65 appearances for club and country.

Rice's form was top for Arsenal throughout the entire 2025/26 season, but it has been clear at the World Cup that he is seriously struggling with his fitness, something supporters of his club have been fearing for a long time.

He has been absolutely run into the ground over the past 10 to 12 months and as he now has to fight through pain in every game he plays, there is the real risk that he could suffer a more damaging injury before being given the chance to rest between the conclusion of the Three Lions' World Cup campaign and the beginning of the Gunners' pre-season.

Arsenal fans will naturally be very concerned about this danger, but Rice should be able to make it through a few more games without picking up a bad injury. Just come out in one piece Declan.

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