Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze are all available for selection as England target a first World Cup final in 60 years when they face Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta.
According to Arsenal’s official website, the quartet’s involvement in England’s run to the last four has pushed the club’s all-time England caps tally past 1,002, with 73 different Gunners having represented the Three Lions since 1906. Sky Sports reports that Declan Rice has fully shaken off his recent fitness concerns, training in full in Kansas City on Monday, with only the suspended Jarell Quansah and the injured Jordan Henderson unavailable from Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
Declan Rice Declared Fit For Atlanta Showdown
Rice and Madueke started England’s dramatic 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway, with Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time double turning the tie before Saka and Eze were introduced from the bench. Sky Sports adds that Rice’s return to full training eases one of Tuchel’s last selection headaches ahead of kick-off.
England and Argentina meet at a World Cup for the first time since 2002, with the Three Lions chasing a first final appearance since 1966. Wednesday’s winner will face either France or Spain, where William Saliba comes up against fellow Arsenal men Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino in Tuesday’s earlier semi-final.
With Rice fit and the rest of the quartet available, Mikel Arteta will have a personal stake in Atlanta on Wednesday, hopeful his stars can help England add to a landmark World Cup already being shaped by Arsenal’s contribution by reaching a first final since 1966.
