Declan Rice looks almost certain to withdraw from the England squad after being injured in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over his former club West Ham.
Yet another international break is now upon us after West Ham’s defeat to Arsenal.
The Gunners go into it top of the Premier League thanks to a victory inspired by former Hammers captain Declan Rice.
West Ham meanwhile will have to hope Wolves don’t beat Brighton or they will spend the next two weeks propping up the table.
There was a bitter irony for Hammers supporters watching the game at the Emirates unfold.
Rice makes the headlines in Arsenal win over West Ham
Since selling Rice to Arsenal for £105m, West Ham have failed miserably to re-invest the money and have gone backwards.
And it was Rice who made the point himself, dominating West Ham’s midfield and scoring in as comfortable a win as Arsenal will have all season.
It says a lot that West Ham were much-improved on the insipid mess Graham Potter was offering up each week.
Now Nuno Espirito Santo will have two weeks to work with those not flying off to play for their countries as he tries to turn a sinking ship around.
All eyes now turn to England for Hammers skipper Jarrod Bowen and a host of Arsenal stars.
Gunners quartet Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Rice were all selected by Thomas Tuchel to represent England in their internationals against Wales and Latvia this month.
Tuchel is looking to maintain his 100 per cent winning record in competitive matches in charge of the Three Lions.
After a friendly against Wales at Wembley on Thursday, October 9, England then travel to Latvia for a World Cup qualifier on Thursday, October 14.
But it looks like Rice won’t be joining his former West Ham teammate Bowen and his Arsenal pals at St George’s Park.
West Ham star has crocked Rice for England duty
Because a West Ham star has crocked Arsenal’s Rice for England duty with a crunching tackle.
After scoring against his old club, Rice didn’t celebrate but let West Ham fans know what he thinks of their taunts aimed at him.
Relations between the Arsenal midfielder and the supporters who used to adore him now look damaged after Rice then goaded Hammers fans on social media.
But Rice’s international break looks in jeopardy — and it’s all down to a no-nonsense tackle from West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, a former Arsenal player.
Tuchel dilemma as Arteta confirms Rice injury
Rice was on the receiving end of an excellent, fair but tough tackle from Mavropanos which showed the big Greek is listening to new boss Nuno about being more aggressive.
Rice landed awkwardly after the challenge, injuring his back before being substituted.
Speaking after the game, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has suggested the injury to Rice’s back will likely keep him out of England duty.
“He’s not all right because he asked me to come off, so that’s a shame,” Arteta said on the injury to Rice in Arsenal’s post-match presser.
“He had a pain in his back and he could not carry on which is something very unusual for Declan so we’ll have to assess him and see how he is (before deciding if he can join up with England).”
England have won all five qualifiers so far, scoring 13 goals without reply.
Rice’s injury may see one of a number of players called up who have been controversially left out by Tuchel.
The likes of Adam Wharton, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish were snubbed but this may open up a space for one to be called into the Three Lions squad.
West Ham meanwhile will be hoping Bowen comes back unscathed.
Because they are an injury to him or Crysencio Summerville away from being in serious danger of being relegated from the Premier League.
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