Arsenal had a season to forget as they finished at the 8th spot in the Premier League. Even this can be counted as a positive considering they looked destined to finish in the bottom half of the table for a large part of the season.
For the first time in more than two decades, they won’t be part of any European competition next season. This shows how poorly the Gunners have fared this term.
Mikel Arteta was expected to have a big impact on the squad but fans and pundits alike are unsure what kind of football he wants his team to play. For him and his men, the end of the season could not have come any sooner. Only four Arsenal players will be featuring in Euro 2020 this summer. Let us take a look at what we can expect from them.
4. Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)
The 28-year old midfielder has been given the charge to lead his nation in the Euro 2020. Xhaka made 45 appearances across the 2020/21 season but scored only once. He featured in the midfield and also played in the left-back spot when Kieran Tierney was injured.
After an underwhelming campaign with Gunners, Xhaka will hope to have a great summer with his country. Arteta needs his main man to arrive back at Emirates with huge confidence given his job will be under immense scrutiny, if indeed, he remains the manager till then.
3. Kieran Tierney (Scotland)
Tierney’s performances were one of the very few positives for Arsenal this campaign. The Scottish international has the skills and desire to be one of the best in his position. Even at the tender age of 23, he is a key member of his national team.
His last international appearance will still be remembered by many when he claimed three assists to help his side win 4-0 against the Faroe Island in March.
2. Bernd Leno (Germany)
Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper will be aware that he might not feature in any of the Euro 2020 games in the presence of Manuel Neuer. The Bayern Munich shot-stopper is one of the senior members of the squad, and there are very low chances of him being rested.
All three of Germany’s fixtures will be played at Allianz Arena in Munich which is a much-familiar ground for the 35-year old keeper. However, Leno will not be letting his guard down and will be keen to impress in training and work on his skills in the presence of the Bayern Munich behemoth.
He has to be remain up to the task also given the fact that Neuer is not getting any younger and the competition comes after a hectic jam-packed domestic season amidst a pandemic.
1. Bukayo Saka (England)
The teenager has been a revelation this season. Even though he finished the campaign with only five goals to his name, Arsenal supporters are aware of how reliant the team was on him. His inclusion in the England squad for the Euro 2020 was a surprise to a few people as it came at Lingard’s expense.
Saka has shown that he can play in multiple positions which will give more options to Gareth Southgate. Thus, it will be important to see which role the England boss designates for the youngster. His morale will be boosted by his match-winning goal against Austria in the recent friendly game and he has shown he will be up for the task if handed a chance down the line.