A decent chunk of the Arsenal first team squad has returned to London Colney for the official start of pre-season training.
Mikel Arteta was on hand to greet the likes of Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Eddie Nketiah, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Jesus, Thomas Partey, Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe as they hit the gym with the strength and conditioning team before heading out on the grass.
Many of the players have already had the manager run the rule over them recently, with Arteta hosting a camp in Marbella to hit the ground running ahead of the upcoming tour of the USA.
While it’s thought to have been a relaxed affair, the manager made it obligatory, explaining: “We believe it was the right thing to do, to bring them in a little bit earlier and start connecting with the team, to check the physical levels and to start to get a good preparation. They still have some time off, some downtime to enjoy.”
The Gunners had 13 players involved in major international tournaments this summer and most will miss the Los Angeles leg of the US tour at least. The likes of David Raya, Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka – all involved in last night’s Euro 2024 final in Berlin – will sit things out until the second week of August.
As for observations on day one, the all-blue training kit looks smart, the boys look lean and Takehiro Tomiyasu has gone blond. That aside, the club aren’t giving much away at this stage. We presume they will ramp up the video footage later this week.
Transfer-wise, the focus has mostly been on outgoings. Nuno Tavares and Sambi Lokonga have completed their loan moves to Lazio and Sevilla respectively this afternoon. They follow Cedric Soares, Mohamed Elneny and Arthur Okonkwo out of the door, all of whom left as free agents at the start of the month. Reuell Walters and Amario Cozier-Duberry, regular trainers with the first team, have also departed.
As for incoming, most of the action has been between the sticks. David Raya has completed a £27 million move from Brentford while Ajax teenager Tommy Setford looks set to join Lucas Nygaard in competing for a place at under-21 level after five junior keepers departed. The Gunners have also had an offer rejected for Wolves stopper Dan Bentley.
I was keen for England to win the Euros from the outset.
But after the very first performance I realised Southgate was more interested in not losing a match rather than winning each game, which was well within the capabilities of the squad.
Hence the inevitable.
Congrats to Rice and Saka, both excellent throughout.
Saka and Rice coming back to Arteta coaching will be like the meme of the kid really enjoying eating fried chicken.
There’s a meme of me consuming sake and rice in Japan.
On the one hand you have to acknowledge that they made a final and generally did well defensively. The out of possession stuff was good to excellent. On the other hand you have a nagging feeling that they only made the final because all the best teams ended up on the other side of the bracket and that they were lucky to even get through Slovakia and Switzerland. Offensively and on the ball they were a mess the whole tournament. Anyone could see from the start that Kane, Foden and Bellingham’s can’t coexist in the same front line because they… Read more »
Agree
Declan had a shit tournament let’s be honest! I blame southgate’s useless tactics and formations…what a waste of talent.
Can’t agree there El.
He was given a role by Southgate and he carried it out to perfection.(albeit a limited “break it up role” and no more than that)
Don’t shoot the messenger
Agree
Win the dog must be very excited, more treats incoming.
Good to know.
The journey of another 8+ months of highs and lows starts again. May the highs be way higher than the lows this time. COYG!
i’m exhausted already
Lol. Right? But that’s all part of the thrills.
Tbf i don’t mind how much higher the highs are than the lows are low so long as for once we’re high right at the end!
Yes! You articulated this better than me. That is more in the region of what I was trying to say.
amen!
Judging from the photos, the aptly-named Timber has tree trunks for legs.
Really frustrating that Rice and Saka have been worn out by that useless Southgate.
Yet another failed tournament by a third-rate England manager.
I just hope Arteta gives those two the nice long rest they deserve.
I really hope ESR stays one more year and can breakthrough into the first team.