Arsenal breathes a sigh of relief: Saka, Rice, and Madueke are expected to return soon.

The situation at Arsenal is becoming alarming, with the team facing a wave of injuries affecting some of its most crucial players. England manager Thomas Tuchel revealed that young talents Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, along with Noni Madueke, are expected to be sidelined for several days after being released from national team duty due to “excessively high” re-injury risks. This decision raises questions about the management of athletes’ health.

Madueke was forced to leave the field during the friendly against Uruguay after a collision in the first half, while Saka and Rice did not even have the opportunity to step onto the pitch. Both players joined the England squad only after the game at Wembley, but were quickly sent back home following a medical assessment that left no room for doubt. The situation is even more concerning for Madueke, whose images leaving the stadium, limping and with a knee brace, alarmed fans. Despite this, Tuchel assured that the player’s condition is “slightly better” than it appears, although he warned that “he will be out for a few days.”

This injury scenario reflects a broader trend affecting the Arsenal team, with a total of 10 players returning early from international duties for various health reasons. Mikel Arteta, the Gunners’ coach, now faces critical scrutiny over the management of his athletes’ fitness.

Tuchel, for his part, defended Saka and Rice’s decision not to risk their physical integrity, stating: “They desperately wanted to play. Just to clarify the narrative, they wanted to be involved. But doing so didn’t make sense due to the risk of worsening the situation.” The coach emphasized that if it were the last game of the season, perhaps the story would be different, but at this moment, caution prevailed.

The impact of injuries is not limited to Saka and Rice. Arsenal is also dealing with the absence of Eberechi Eze, who is facing a calf problem that will keep him out until the end of April, missing crucial matches, including the Champions League qualifiers against Sporting CP and a decisive clash in the Premier League against Manchester City. Jurriën Timber was also forced to miss the important event at Wembley due to an ankle injury.

The immediate future of the team is at risk, with Arsenal preparing for a quarter-final of the FA Cup against Southampton, followed by a trip to Lisbon for the first leg of the knockout stage of the Champions League. As Arsenal fans hope the team overcomes this injury crisis, the pressure on Arteta and his coaching staff will only increase. The recovery time for Saka, Rice, and Madueke will be crucial for the team’s performance in the coming weeks, and all eyes will be on how the club manages this critical situation.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.