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Lee Carsley sends Arsenal unwanted England message as vital Bukayo Saka question is answered

Lee Carsley has made his early position clear to Arsenal on Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka
-Credit: (Image: Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)


England comfortably beat Republic of Ireland 2-0 under new interim manager Lee Carsley as those with links to Arsenal watched on with hope that certain aspects might change after the departure of Gareth Southgate. The early signs were not the best when Ben White’s situation appeared to have remained unchanged.

Yet it was this opening match of Carsley’s tenure that would answer a big question that Arsenal supporters in particular were curious to see if it would differ. Carsley had added a number of new faces to his squad including the likes of Noni Madueke of Chelsea.

With the call-up of the Blues forward and how Madueke typically operates on the right and the inclusion of West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen, there was optimism that Bukayo Saka would indeed see his minutes managed better than they were under Southgate. This however was not to be.

Madueke was an unused substitute while Bowen came on for Harry Kane and Eberechi Eze came in for Anthony Gordon. Saka stayed on the field for the full match needlessly and it sent a clear message and a poor first impression to those hoping for better consideration for one of England’s most over-used players.

To the wider view, this might seem like a minor thing after just one game and it may be that against Finland Saka is substituted, benched or even rested entirely. There can be reassessments on the view after Tuesday.

However, the immediate assumption can only be formed from what we have seen so far and despite the opportunity to change, it was not taken here. Declan Rice scored and impressed in midfield, helping to set up Jack Grealish for the second, but he too was left on the field for the full ninety minutes.

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Rico Lewis and Conor Gallagher were left on the bench while Angel Gomes came on for Kobbie Mainoo. Rice perhaps is more explainable considering his suspension against Tottenham next week will enforce a rest in his schedule.

These two players however only strengthen my view that new rules and policies need to be introduced to protect players who were exposed to thousands of minutes in the previous season. I offered up the solution in prohibiting call-ups to players who play over a certain number of minutes in the proceeding international tournament to a break – that would have seen both Saka and Rice protected, as well as others.