New Delhi: When Bukayo Saka buried his penalty kick against Switzerland at Euro 2024, banishing the ghost of his missed penalty in the European Championship final three years prior, nobody was more proud than Mikel Arteta. The manager of Arsenal remarked, “I was very nervous,” when Saka took the field during England’s quarterfinal penalty shootout victory.
You can still picture that event from a few years ago, but he displayed a great deal of bravery, resolve, and poise in handling it the way he did.
Nevertheless, it was interesting to hear Arteta discuss the possible psychological effects on Saka and Declan Rice, another England regular who plays for Arsenal, following the disappointment of England losing another final. “I’m extremely proud of my country, and it was a great moment for us to win,” the Spaniard said.
As Arteta looks to make it three times lucky in the Premier League next season, Arteta’s biggest concern may be how to handle setbacks after finishing as Manchester City’s runners-up for the second straight season. While Saka, Rice, and many other first-team regulars who played in either the Copa América or the Euros are on vacation taking advantage of some well-earned and much-needed rest, the remainder of Arsenal’s team has been working hard over the last few weeks.
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND – JULY 20: Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta chats to Ethan Nwaneri during the pre season friendly between Arsenal XI and Leyton Orient XI at Sobha Realty Training Centre on July 20, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
They will play their next preseason game against Bournemouth in Los Angeles early on Thursday, UK time. The preseason started with a training camp in Marbella the last week of June, with just six players at first: Ben White, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Fábio Vieira, Jurriën Timber, and Reiss Nelson. The 22-year-old Estonian goalkeeper Karl Hein is the most seasoned player on the tour due to the unavailability of Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya. Alexei Rojas and Lucas Nygaard, two academy teenagers signed this summer, provide backup.
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND – JULY 15: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with Jurrien Timber during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on July 15, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Many Arsenal fans may have expected more offensive reinforcements, so it may come as a surprise that Arteta is most eager to make changes in defense. Eight internationals will be vying for a spot in Arsenal’s back four with the impending arrival of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna: White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who is doubtful for the start of the season due to a knee injury he sustained shortly before the squad left for the US.
The choice to move forward with the purchase of Calafiori, who excelled as a center-back for Bologna in Serie A and Italy at Euro 2024, suggests a slightly different strategy even if Arsenal finished the previous season with the best defensive record in the Premier League with 29 goals against 34 for City. With Saka and White’s successful pairing, the versatile 22-year-old is anticipated to play mostly at left-back in an attempt to disrupt Arsenal’s penchant to attack down their stronger right flank.
Here’s a look at Mikel Arteta’s remarks on his Pre season friendlies matchups. Let’s have a look at his preperation for Bournmouth. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
