Ian Wright urges Arsenal stars to withdraw from squad as he contradicts his infamous demand

Ian Wright says Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka should withdraw from the England squad after Saturday's friendly clash against Brazil.

The Arsenal legend is keen to get the Gunners duo back to north London as early as possible for the close of the campaign. Rice and Saka have both played starring roles in Arsenal's rise to the top of the Premier League table and progression to the last eight of the Champions League.

Wright is desperate to see the pair return in full health ahead of the title showdown against Manchester City at the end of the month. However, that hasn't always been the way the ex-Arsenal striker has viewed international duty.

Speaking on the most recent edition of Sky's Stick to Football podcast, Wright agreed with a sentiment shared by Manchester United legend Gary Neville. The ex-Red Devil claimed: "I'll make a prediction, either Declan, Saka, [Phil] Foden - I've got a good feeling that they will pull out of the second game [against Belgium on Tuesday]."

Wright responded: "Yeah, I think they should." His comment represents a steep change from his stance in 2014 when the Arsenal legend made headlines with an infamous demand of England internationals.

Writing in the Sun, Wright claimed: "The next young player who says he does not want to play for England should be ordered to ring the parents of a soldier who has died serving his country in Afghanistan and tell them his reasons. I find it shocking anyone should want to turn their back on the chance to play for England. It’s something I will never understand.

"I have no doubt Harry Redknapp is telling it the way it is when he says players asked him to make excuses for them so they can duck out of international duty."

Whether the Arsenal duo of Rice and Saka withdraw