Arsenal fans have plenty to look forward to this summer, with a significant portion of the squad set to feature in the 2024 European Championship in Germany.
The Gunners will likely have 11 players at the tournament, several of whom have a genuine chance of returning home with a winners’ medal.
With that in mind, read on as we take a closer look at some of the standout performers in Arsenal’s Euro 2024 contingent, starting with the club captain.
Declan Rice – England
While several online bookmakers rate England as the favourites to win the tournament, sensible bettors will avoid wagering on them this summer.
Punters looking to bet on Euro 2024 will be wary of backing the Three Lions due to manager Gareth Southgate’s overly cautious nature in big games.
England have played 24 games against teams currently ranked in FIFA’s top 10 under Southgate winning seven, drawing seven and losing 10.
Whichever way you flower it up, that record does nothing to imply England are worthy of their tag of pre-tournament favourites.
Southgate’s insistence on playing Rice in a double-defensive pivot system in midfield is a major hindrance to their hopes of lifting the trophy.
Rice has shown with Arsenal that he is capable of anchoring the midfield on his own, thus allowing manager Mikel Arteta to pick more creative players in front of him.
However, Southgate’s fear of losing means the Arsenal captain will be lumbered with playing alongside either Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips or Conor Gallagher.
A midfield three of Rice, Jude Bellingham and Kobbie Mainoo would be far more adventurous and strike fear into opponents at the tournament.
Despite this, Southgate will probably revert to type and England will return to these shores without the European Championship trophy.
Kai Havertz – Germany
A disappointing run of results under manager Julian Nagelsmann resulted in Germany’s odds to win Euro 2024 being pushed out to double digits.
A pair of eye-catching victories over France and Netherlands in the latest round of friendlies in March forced the bookies into a rapid rethink.
The Euro 2024 hosts were particularly impressive against France, taking the lead inside the opening minute before Kai Havertz sealed the win in the second half.
The goal was further evidence of Havertz’s resurgence in recent months, with the forward finally showing why Arsenal pushed the boat out to sign him last summer.
One of the biggest criticisms aimed at Havertz is he does not have a natural position – a factor which undoubtedly blighted his first few months with the Gunners.
Arteta preserved with the German and he has been rewarded with several match-winning contributions in recent weeks.
It has been a similar story at international level, with Nagelsmann eager to shoehorn Havertz into his line-up regardless of the consequences.
An ill-fated experiment as a left-wing back last November drew plenty of derision from fans and pundits alike, and is one which is unlikely to be repeated.
While Havertz may not start every game for Germany this summer, he is guaranteed to be a crucial component of their bid to win the tournament.
Bukayo Saka – England
Our third Arsenal Euro 2024 star is a player whose fortunes at international level have fluctuated wildly over the past few years.
Bukayo Saka’s decisive penalty miss in the Euro 2020 final against Italy could have broken a lesser player, but he has shown immense character to bounce back from that disappointment.
Saka has now bagged 11 goals and eight assists in 32 international appearances and looks a good bet to start the tournament on the right flank.
He has been a star performer for Arsenal this season and deserves the chance to nail down the spot despite stiff competition from elsewhere.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has been touted as a contender for a place in the starting XI following a stellar first season with the London club.
He has produced a series of excellent displays during a mixed season for the Blues and will be pushing Saka hard for his spot during the tournament this summer.
Phil Foden and Jarrod Bowen are other potential options for the right-wing berth, but Saka is expected to start the first game against Serbia.
Foden is more likely to be used on the other flank ahead of Marcus Rashford, although in-form Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon could challenge for that spot.
England unquestionably have the attacking talent to cause havoc at Euro 2024 if Southgate throws caution to the wind. Saka and co will be desperate for him to release the shackles.