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Arsenal’s International Contingent Back in Action
Declan Rice, the dynamic midfielder for Arsenal, was seen sporting a grin as he joined his teammates at London Colney for his first training session following the Euro 2024 final. Alongside him were fellow England players Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale, as well as France’s stalwart defender William Saliba, marking the return of Arsenal’s international stars after their extended post-tournament break.
Rest and Recreation for Euro Stars
After a grueling season and the subsequent European championship, the players enjoyed a well-earned hiatus. Saliba relaxed on the sun-kissed shores of Sardinia with his partner Sandra Shehab, while Rice was spotted soaking up the Ibiza sun with fellow footballers Ivan Toney and Luke Shaw. Their breaks came on the heels of an intense Premier League season and a heart-wrenching Euro 2024 final for England.
England and France’s Euro Heartache
Rice and Saka were pivotal in England’s campaign, starting every match, while Saliba was a constant presence in the French defense. Despite their efforts, England succumbed to Spain in the final with a 2-1 defeat, and France also fell to the same fate in the semi-finals. Ramsdale, despite not playing, was part of the England squad, training with goalkeepers Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson.
Pre-Season Tour Missed by Arsenal Quartet
The absence of Saka, Saliba, Rice, and Ramsdale meant they missed Arsenal’s pre-season tour in the United States. The tour saw mixed results for manager Mikel Arteta’s side, with a win, draw, and loss each, including a penalty shootout defeat to Manchester United and a 2-1 loss to Liverpool.
Upcoming Fixtures and Fitness Concerns
Arsenal is set to face Bayer Leverkusen in a friendly on August 7 at the Emirates Stadium, but the match might be too soon for the returning Euro 2024 participants. The Gunners are then scheduled to commence their Premier League season against Wolves at home on August 17, giving the players a tight timeline to reach match fitness.
