Arsenal duo unavailable for Japan game on Tuesday
‘We did medical tests. I saw them,’ head coach says
Thomas Tuchel has plotted a diplomatic course through the storm that has followed the withdrawals of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka from the England squad, saying the optics may look bad but he has “100% trust” in their integrity.
The England head coach gave Rice and Saka last week off, letting them rest rather than play in the 1-1 draw against Uruguay at Wembley on Friday – along with nine others. His idea was to have all 11 back for the game against Japan on Tuesday, also at Wembley, for which he would release a group of players.
Rice and Saka did report, the former working on the grass in training on Saturday, the latter in the gym. But Tuchel said they continued to feel discomfort after their involvement with Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on the Sunday before last and, as such, had to stand down.
