The European Championships are fast approaching to whet the appetite of football fans already in need of action in the wake of the Premier League season’s conclusion. England are one of the favourites and Arsenal fans after years without much Three Lions representation have Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice to enjoy.
Arsenal are indeed well represented at both the Euros and the Copa America with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes both being called up by Brazil. However, the focus on Germany will take the majority of the attention before pre-season kicks off.
The transfer window is also opening soon and the summer tournaments are sure to play havoc with the club’s plans to strengthen their squads with some players wanting a quick resolution. From Arsenal’s side, a dream Euros takes shape in many forms but there are some consistent threads across them all pertaining to transfers and team news.
Saka and Rice
The two England stars are potentially Arsenal’s most important players in action this summer with the likes of William Saliba not a guaranteed starter for France and Martin Odegaard’s Norway not even at the tournament. Rice has enjoyed a near-perfect season in regard to attendance and, touch wood, this will continue through the summer with the scope then to have a much-needed rest.
Saka has been far less lucky, missing key games for club and country throughout the campaign and missing Gareth Southgate’s first pre-tournament friendly with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fans will be praying that both avoid any scares this summer and are able to come back fit and firing for pre-season.
Benjamin Sesko signs
The Slovenian striker is Arsenal’s primary summer transfer target and the hope is a deal could even take shape before the Euros kicks off. His £55.6million release clause expires at the end of June and there are suggestions that Sesko would like his future resolved before their tournament starts.
That said, there is competition from both Chelsea and Manchester United in Sesko and the latest is that he is currently mulling over his options. Arsenal are thought to be the best placed but a lucrative contract offer from RB Leipzig could yet see him stay.
Kiwior masterclass
One player who might not be on the mind of the majority of Arsenal fans is Jakub Kiwior. The defender will be joining up with the Poland national team as they compete in Group D alongside the Netherlands, Austria and France.
The odds are stacked against them to progress and they do not have the best record in this competition with just two wins from 14 matches. Kiwior though should he perform well could benefit Arsenal doubly by increasing his transfer value with notable interest from AC Milan or show Gunners fans why indeed he could get even more game time next season.
