Declan Rice expects to manage heavy Arsenal playing schedule this season

Declan Rice maintains he can play more than 60 matches this season despite concerns regarding his physical condition. Arsenal management is closely monitoring the midfielder’s workload following a high-frequency campaign that included 69 total appearances for club and country. During the previous season, Rice relied on pain-killing injections to address neural back and hamstring issues. The 27-year-old returned to training only one week before the Community Shield last month, having been granted a three-week break. Club staff continue to track his fitness levels to manage the demands on his body. Rice remains confident in his ability to endure a high volume of matches again.

• 11:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — Declan Rice shrugs off Arsenal concerns and says 60 games a season is sustainable