The withdrawals have coincided with Arsenal’s challenge on three fronts for silverware this season, including their attempt to win a first Premier League title in 22 years.

The Gunners are nine points clear of second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League with seven games remaining, although Pep Guardiola’s side have one game in hand.

Arsenal also travel to Portugal’s Sporting in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, three days after visiting Southampton in the last eight of the FA Cup on 4 April.

England manager Thomas Tuchel said he “understood” the possible suspicion around Arsenal’s withdrawals, but on Rice and Saka he insisted he had “no reason to believe” they had not been honest with him and his medical staff.

The German added both “wanted desperately” to play in Tuesday’s friendly against Japan, but that the risk of making their issues worse was deemed “way too big” after a medical assessment by the national team.

Tuchel said: “I understand the look of it. I still have 100% trust in the honesty of Bukayo and Declan. We did medical tests. I saw them.

“Declan was even out on the pitch. He did not come and say, ‘Guys, I’m going home’.”

Mikel Arteta’s side have been hit by injuries amid international breaks previously this season, with captain Odegaard as well as Gabriel, Timber and Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori suffering problems.