Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gets ruthless with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice

Bukayo Saka is expected to start for Arsenal vs Wolves (Image: GETTY)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is prepared to put Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka straight back into action - despite concerns over fatigue following Euro 2024.

The England pair featured in the second half as Arsenal thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 in their second-to-last pre-season friendly.

Arteta hinted that the duo will need to recover quickly and be ready to compete again as Arsenal aim to break their two-decade-long Premier League title drought.

Arteta stated: "The season starts in nine or 10 days so they have to be ready. These are the demands they have right now.

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"We really look after them when they are with us and we give them days off when we can.

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Declan Rice came off the bench for Arsenal against Bayer Leverkusen (Image: GETTY) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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"We have given them the rest that we needed. If you look at their faces, there is that spark in their eye. They don't want to miss it."

Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber should also be fit for the start of the new campaign despite missing the victory which came courtesy of goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.

Arteta explained: "With Jurrien he had a little bit of discomfort in his feet in the last few days.

"Obviously with the amount of time he has been out we didn't want to take any risks with him. In regards to Riccardo, so much happened to him in one week.

"He has come into a new environment with different methodology, different training and we are managing and we want to do it slowly to get him in the best possible way."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gets ruthless with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gets ruthless with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gets ruthless with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gets ruthless with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gets ruthless with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice