The duo have grown so much over the years that it was the same under the now-departed Gareth Southgate on the international stage and for England’s new interim boss Lee Carsley.
There is a reason why Arsenal’s Hale-End star is dubbed a star boy and why they paid a club-record transfer fee to West Ham United for Rice.
Less so for their hard-hitting midfielder, but Saka, who made his Arsenal debut as a teenager, has serious competition alongside him for England.
That was showcased at Euro 2024 when England lost in the final to Spain because he started every game out on the flank despite having Jarrod Bowen, and especially, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer pushing him.
Many were left annoyed and frustrated that the Arsenal man wasn’t rotated, probably even fans of his own club because it would’ve meant that he was rested.
To the annoyance of supporters, the international calendar hasn’t stopped, even though the new Premier League season has just started.
England beat the Republic of Ireland in a UEFA Nations League encounter at the weekend, with Saka and Rice starting and playing the whole game – the latter opened the scoring in Dublin.
It needs to be noted that Ireland didn’t qualify for an expanded Euro 2024, so it just goes to show how poor the nation is on the football stage.
That’s why Darren Bent was annoyed by the fact that the Arsenal duo are, not only starting every game for their country, but also playing every minute, as he told talkSPORT (09/09/24 at 4:15 pm).
The former striker, who is a boyhood Arsenal fan, added ‘I don’t understand why’, with the two now starting against Finland as England prepare for another UEFA Nations League match.
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice game time
“Saka on the right-hand side, playing pretty much the whole game, again,” said Bent. “Which I don’t understand why. And Declan Rice as well, the whole game. But Declan isn’t playing at the weekend.”
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish of England talk ahead of a training session at St Georges Park on September 04, 2024 in Burton-upon-Tren...
Martin Odegaard’s injury
It needs to be noted that Bent’s comments came before Martin Odegaard’s injury for Norway on Monday evening.
In truth, it’s understandable for someone like Odegaard to start every game for his country because Norway struggles to qualify for major tournaments.
It’s the complete opposite for Saka and Rice, so Arsenal fans getting worried about their lack of rest or picking up a possible injury is understandable.
Arsenal face Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday, before kicking off their Champions League campaign and then playing Manchester City.
If Arsenal want to win the Premier League title, then they need to see through this week and showcase their champions status, or else, Manchester City will run away with it again.
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