One ‘sensational’ former Arsenal talent has lit up Euro 2024, he has ‘dream’ of Emirates return

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One former Hale End academy star who wants to come back to Arsenal recently made a huge impact at Euro 2024.

A number of former Arsenal stars have impressed at the summer tournament in Germany. Granit Xhaka recently joined legends such as Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo on a list of players with the most man of the match awards in European Championships, for example. 

Now, one player who never actually made a senior appearance for the North London club, but spent two years in the Gunners’ academy system, has just netted a brace in the international competition.

Against Romania on Tuesday, Netherlands winger Donyell Malen came off the bench to strike twice and ensure his nation’s passage to the quarter-finals. 

The 25-year-old winger left the Emirates Stadium in 2017, and now plies his trade for Borussia Dortmund, following a successful stint with PSV Eindhoven.

However, he is keen to come back to the Premier League at some point, and would love another chance to prove his worth at Arsenal.

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Donyell Malen admits his desire for Arsenal return

Speaking to Voetbalzone earlier this year, the Dutchman confessed: “Because I played in England as a youth, it is a dream to play in the Premier League. I think that is a beautiful dream.”

When asked if he would be open to signing for Arsenal again, Malen replied: “Yes I would. I wanted Arsenal [as a teenager], my favourite club. I played there in my youth, I really wanted to break through there.”

Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his attacking contingent this summer, and Malen could certainly provide some cover and competition for the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, as he is comfortable playing on either flank.

Arsenal have been warned that signing Nico Williams could cause problems at the Emirates Stadium and would not fit in with their wage structure. Malen could prove to be a more cost-effective alternative to the Spaniard.

National media hail former Arsenal gem Malen after Euro 2024 brace

After his electric cameo against Romania, Goal awarded Malen an 8/10 rating, commenting: “A threat down the right and scored twice, the second a brilliant counter-attacking run. Sure to start the quarter-final now.”

SportsMole afforded the attacker the same grade and stated: “Made his case to be recalled for the quarter-final. Was in the right place at the right time to score his first, before he raced from the halfway line to complete his brace with a sensational effort in stoppage time.”

Meanwhile, Vavel scored Malen’s efforts as a 9/10 and exclaimed: “A brilliant cameo from Malen who replaced Depay, scoring two goals off the bench to seal the game for his nation. Made a strong case to start in the quarter-final.”