Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has opened up about how he’s preparing for the likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and William Saliba to return after Euro 2024.
Eleven Arsenal players have represented their clubs at Euro 2024 this summer, with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney, Kai Havertz, and David Raya all featuring in Germany.
On top of that, Gunners duo Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes are currently competing at the Copa America with Brazil.
Of course, that means that all of these players will have missed out on some much-needed rest time, and will therefore return to the Emirates Stadium later for pre-season, having been afforded a break after their international exploits.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has already reconvened several first team players who were not involved in a tournament this summer. These Arsenal stars are currently training in Marbella.
It is highly unusual for a club to recall players so early in the summer, but the Spanish coach is clearly convinced that his side can gain an advantage by doing so. However, he has created a relaxed environment in the Spanish city, with players’ families welcome and plenty of free time afforded to the group.
Martin Odegaard recently shared an update from the Arsenal camp in Marbella. In the meantime, Arteta is already looking ahead to welcoming the rest of his players back into the fold.
Mikel Arteta shares plan for welcoming back Bukayo Saka and Co. to Arsenal after Euro 2024
When the Arsenal players who have been competing in international tournaments do return to the club, they will need to be carefully managed. Their fitness will be closely checked and monitored, and they will be required to slowly bring themselves back up to speed, and then catch up with the rest of the group.
Arteta is already thinking about this process. Speaking to ESPN, he said: “I think we’ve done a lot of planning with what we believe is the best plan for them and the best preparation to be fully ready when the whistle goes on the first day at the Emirates against Wolves.
“We are going to have to tweak things for sure and adapt because players are going to come in at stages at the moment which are a bit uncertain, physically, mentally.
“But if you think the players are always connected, they are willing to come back, excited for the new season and when you have that feeling I think something positive will happen again.”
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