The start of Arsenal’s journey in 2024/25 is just around the corner, with players already starting to return for pre-season.
A selection of players who weren’t involved in Euro 2024 this summer joined up with the team for some preparation for pre-season in Marbella, many will be joining up on Monday, as the rest will be slowly joining up at Sobha Reality Training Centre over the next few weeks.
An Arsenal XI made up of youth prospects like the impressive Ethan Nwaneri took on Boreham Wood FC on Saturday as pre-season friendlies commenced. The XI was a completely different one come the second half of that game as they came out on top with a 4-2 victory.
Given what we know about how Arteta uses his squad, chances may prove elusive throughout the season. Many will be looking to seize their opportunity on the pre-season tour of the States.
READ MORE: Arsenal 24/25 confirmed signings, transfers in and out, loan exits and releases
Arsenal’s biggest mystery
The biggest mystery at Arsenal during pre-season is the future of Charlie Patino, a player who went to Swansea City last season in an unsuccessful loan spell.
At a crucial juncture in his career in need of first-team football, what Arteta has in store for the 20-year-old remains unclear after he was back in the red of Arsenal in the win over Boreham Wood on Saturday.
Being a part of the squad to travel to the States for pre-season could be seen as a ‘now or never’ moment for the Hale End graduate.
As a technically gifted midfielder, he has been labeled as a more versatile iteration of club captain Martin Odegaard given his defensive capabilities. With three goals and four assists in 33 Championship appearances, Arteta will look for more positive output if he is to feature.
It had been reported by the Evening Standard that Patino was set to leave after growing frustrated with the lack of chances in the first team.
Right-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy is in the same boat having returned from his Millwall loan. They will both be keen to get some proper minutes under their belts to stake their claim, but whether that will come to fruition remains a mystery.
READ MORE: Arsenal sent Charlie Patino warning as Swansea City manager explains his one problem
Most exciting Arsenal player
Arsenal ended the season in a fine run of form that has left fans counting down the days until the new Premier League season gets underway against Wolves.
That feeling also rings true for being most excited about what 2024/25 has in store for German international Kai Havertz after winning the fans over after a slow start to his spell in north London.
Clocking up 20 goal involvements from a mixture of midfield and striker last season is probably to be expected of a £65 million signing, it was a mixed bag but he made the number nine spot his own in the run-in. The plans are somewhat unclear for Havertz with three strikers shortlisted to join and contest him.
The 25-year-old is a different type of striker from what we have seen in the past. Havertz has given the team a completely different dimension against more physical opposition, while not lacking in the link-up play either.
Off the back of a solid Euro 2024 campaign, many Arsenal fans can’t get enough of Kai Havertz and pre-season could prove fruitful goalscoring opportunity, as long as he doesn’t have to do the MLS All-Stars Skills Challenge that he did during last pre-season again.
Arsenal’s comeback player
The term ‘like a new signing’ is often overused but in the case of Jurrien Timber next season, it can be understood.
Last season, a superb Community Shield display had the Gunners relishing what was in store for the defender before an unfortunate incident in the opener against Nottingham Forest put paid to the majority of his season.
If Timber can find that form once again during pre-season, he will be a very useful asset in defence and progressing the play out from it.
His tenacity in the tackle and agile nature share similarities to Man City’s Kyle Walker. International teammate Virgil van Dijk has described him as a ‘true professional.’ It should come as no surprise if he is an established starter early on this season.
Many questions persist with the Dutch international. What side is he best on? Will he ever start if Calafiori does get signed? Arteta will want the answers sooner rather than later during the campaign.
READ MORE: Why Jurrien Timber may not have the 2024/25 Arsenal fans really want him to
Breakout star to watch
Many exciting talents are coming through the ranks at Hale End. We have all seen how highly Ethan Nwaneri is rated and there are many more of his ilk within the academy.
One young defender stood out from the rest during the Arsenal XI pre-season friendly. Ayden Heaven is yet to commit to a professional contract but given how well he performed, it would seem it’s only a matter of time.
Heaven just made his England under-18 debut in May, he’s a tall defender who mainly plays as a centre-back. Against Boreham Wood, he showed maturity and intelligence beyond his years, while also being capable on the ball.
We know that Arteta is keen on having left-footed defenders on the left and Heaven also fits that brief.
If there are any limitations to his skillset, the 17-year-old has been prone to a mistake throughout his early career. Having said that, he was an integral part of the under-21 team at times last season.
The departure of Reuell Walters could ease Heaven’s pathway into the first team.
With contract negotiations to be held with the player, it would be both exciting and wise for the board to give him some integration into the first team during pre-season.
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