Thomas Tuchel insists Arsenal trio Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke will be out for “some days” after departing the England camp with injuries.
Madueke was taken out of the 1-1 draw with Uruguay following a heavy challenge from Rodrigo Aguirre, and could be seen wearing a knee brace. Rice and Saka were afforded a rest last week, but have returned to their club for a “medical assessment”.
And the Arsenal trio were among eight players who returned to their clubs on Saturday, leaving Mikel Arteta concerned about the condition of his players returning from international duty.
Rice, Saka and Madueke will all now be doubtful for this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final with Southampton on Saturday, while the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting Lisbon takes place next Tuesday.
“There's nothing more to add from me, as a coach, I'm not a medical expert,” Tuchel said on the condition of the players released prematurely before facing Japan on Tuesday. “We had an assessment after the match, but none of them were able to stay and get minutes.”
And when quizzed specifically on the Arsenal players, Tuchel added: “They had a medical assessment, they wanted to desperately play, to get the narrative straight, and desperate to be involved, but it made no sense to make this risk.
“If a last game of the season, we'd have kept them, tried everything, but it didn't make sense. The risk to make it worse, was too big, they were in clear discomfort. It made no sense for them to stay.
“[Noni] pictured better than his feeling, but he'll be out for some days.”
Tuchel insisted he was “disappointed” at the mass withdrawal, but only with the situation, not with the players themselves.
“Disappointed, but not with the players, but the fact that we want everyone in good spirits and health,” Tuchel said. “It's the reality of the season, the end of March, reality of players in European matches, more than one competition, all the cups going on. It's the reality of it.
“Players who had 3,000, 4,000, 5,000 minutes, we gave them a rest. More minutes than the complete last season. The players needed and deserved the mental break from football.
“We could see the energy with which they came back into camp. A new environment for them to go back and perform. We want them to play well for their clubs.
“It's our last chance before we go to America. It's disappointing. I'm not upset with the players; everyone was desperate to come. They want to be around the group. It's a reality, we have a strong team tomorrow. A full squad to select from, everyone is available, 21, 22 outfield players, some fresh legs. Excited for tomorrow.”
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