Arsenal’s preparations for the defence of their Premier League title are set to begin without four of their most influential English stars, with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke all guaranteed to miss the start of pre season due to England’s deep run at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the club’s strict player welfare policy.
The reigning English champions, who ended their two decade wait for the league title in May under Mikel Arteta, will return to London Colney later this month to begin building for the 2026-27 campaign. However, according to Football London, the club’s core England contingent will be absent for the opening fixtures of the summer schedule, a direct consequence of the Three Lions’ progression to the World Cup quarterfinals in North America.
Under Arsenal’s rigid internal protocols, which are aligned with FIFPro recommendations and Premier League guidance, every player who participates in a major international tournament is automatically granted a non negotiable three week rest period from the moment their national team’s campaign ends. The rule is designed to protect players from burnout in an increasingly congested calendar and cannot be shortened, even with player consent.
With England now preparing to face Norway in a blockbuster quarterfinal in Miami on July 11, that mandatory holiday window will inevitably clash with Arsenal’s early summer itinerary.
England’s remarkable journey in this World Cup has complicated matters for a host of Premier League clubs, but few more so than Arsenal. Thomas Tuchel’s side secured their place in the last eight after a pulsating 3-2 victory over co hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, a result hailed as one of the greatest away performances in England’s history given the altitude and hostile atmosphere in Mexico City. Saka played a pivotal role in that win, providing a crucial assist for Harry Kane’s equalizer, marking only his second start of the tournament as he continues to manage a lingering Achilles issue that has troubled him since April.
Declan Rice has also been playing through significant discomfort. Tuchel revealed after the Mexico game that the Arsenal vice captain has been managing considerable neural hamstring pain and has required daily treatment from England’s medical staff, yet has refused to be withdrawn from the starting lineup due to his importance to the team’s structure. His leadership and ball recovery numbers have been among the highest in the tournament.
Eberechi Eze, who completed his high profile move to Arsenal from Crystal Palace last summer and flourished in his debut season at the Emirates, has featured heavily as an impact substitute and occasional starter, while Noni Madueke, who joined from Chelsea in January and has reignited his career under Arteta, has been one of England’s most dangerous wide options off the bench.
All four players were integral to Arsenal’s title winning campaign, combining for 38 goals and 29 assists across all competitions. Losing them for the start of pre season is therefore a significant tactical setback.
The scheduling conflict is now unavoidable. Should England be eliminated by Norway on July 11, the three week mandatory rest period for Saka, Rice, Eze and Madueke would begin on July 12. That would rule them out until at least August 2, meaning they would officially miss Arsenal’s opening pre season friendly against La Liga side Girona on August 1 at the Estadi Montilivi. That fixture, arranged as part of Arsenal’s traditional Spanish training camp, is intended to be Arteta’s first opportunity to implement new tactical tweaks and integrate new signings.
If England progress to the semifinals in Atlanta on July 15, or even reach the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, the absence extends further. In that scenario, the quartet would also miss the second pre season fixture against Real Betis in Dublin on August 5, a high profile game at the Aviva Stadium that is expected to draw over 40,000 Arsenal supporters. They would likely only return to training in the week leading up to the Community Shield, leaving them with minimal preparation time before the Premier League opener on August 15.
Arteta, who has long been an advocate for player welfare and was vocal last season about the dangers of fixture congestion, is understood to be fully supportive of the rest policy despite the inconvenience. The Spanish coach has repeatedly stated that protecting the long term health of his players is more important than short term pre season results.
In response to the absences, Arteta is expected to turn to his famed Hale End academy and fringe squad members to fill the void during the trips to Spain and Ireland. This approach is not new for Arsenal, who regularly use the summer schedule to blood young talent and assess players returning from loan spells.
One name certain to feature prominently is Ethan Nwaneri. The 19 year old attacking midfielder, widely regarded as one of the brightest talents in English football, spent the second half of last season on loan at Olympique de Marseille where he gained valuable first team experience in Ligue 1.
Despite signing a new long term contract in 2025, his long term role at Arsenal remains under discussion, and pre season could serve as a crucial audition for a first team spot in a now star studded midfield.
Other youngsters expected to travel include defender Reuell Walters, midfielder Myles Lewis Skelly and striker Nathan Butler Oyedeji, all of whom impressed for the Under 21s during their Premier League 2 title winning campaign.
The pre season fixtures will also serve as a shop window for players whose futures remain uncertain, with several squad members expected to attract interest from across Europe should they impress.
While Arsenal fans may be disappointed not to see their England heroes in action in Girona and Dublin, the bigger picture is one of success. Having four players in a World Cup quarterfinal underlines the strength of Arsenal’s English core and the club’s status as the home of the national team’s spine. If England go all the way in North America, Arteta will gladly wait an extra week to welcome back world champions.
