England manager Gareth Southgate was left with a major concern heading into Euro 2024 as Arsenal's midfield linchpin Declan Rice was forced off with an injury during the Three Lions' final preparatory match against Germany.
Wembley Worries for Southgate
The £105 million Gunners star, who has been instrumental for Mikel Arteta's side this season, appeared to sustain a knock during the first half of Friday night's encounter at a packed Wembley Stadium. Rice's premature exit from the pitch sent shockwaves through the England camp, with medical staff immediately attending to the 25-year-old.
The timing couldn't be worse for Southgate, with England's Euro 2024 campaign set to begin in just over a week. Rice has established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet, providing crucial defensive stability and progressive passing from the base of midfield.
Arsenal's Worst Nightmare
For Arsenal supporters, the sight of their record signing limping off will trigger painful memories of last season's title challenge being undermined by key injuries at critical moments. Rice made 51 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners in his debut campaign, demonstrating remarkable durability until this concerning setback.
"This is exactly what Southgate didn't need," noted one pitchside observer. "Rice has become the heartbeat of this England team - his ability to break up play and launch attacks is virtually irreplaceable in the current squad."
Midfield Crisis Looming?
The injury throws England's midfield planning into disarray, with Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton now potentially in line for increased responsibility should Rice face a spell on the sidelines. Both young talents have impressed in recent outings but lack the experience of their Arsenal counterpart at major tournaments.
England medical staff are expected to conduct immediate scans to determine the extent of the damage, with the entire nation holding its breath ahead of the European Championship in Germany.
