Arsenal at the Euro’s so far: 3 players crash out but big games ahead

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The group stages of the European Championships are over and it was mixed fortunes for Arsenal’s contingent. 11 Gunners were selected by their nations to compete at Euro 2024 and an impressive 8 have made it through to the knockout rounds. Sadly, the other 3 have now exited the tournament and will be making their way back home after failing to get out the group stages.

Let’s take a closer look at how the Arsenal players have got on at the Euro’s so far and look ahead to some big games coming up for some of Mikel Arteta’s squad.

England struggle

England headed into the Euro’s as many bookmakers favourites to go all the way in Germany. However, the Three Lions have underwhelmed so far after putting in three dire performances. Things got off to a positive start when Jude Bellingham headed home to give England a 13th minute lead against Serbia but Gareth Southgate’s side failed to push on and had to hold out for a narrow 1-0 win.

Harry Kane opened the scoring against Denmark but once again England sat on their lead and didn’t push for a second goal. Denmark grew into the game and took a deserved point thanks to a lovely strike from Morten Hjulmand. The Three Lions wrapped-up the group stages with a 0-0 bore draw against Slovenia on Tuesday night.

England progress to the knockouts as Group C winners but they have been far from convincing and Southgate has some serious questions to answer. Luckily for the Three Lions, they have been given a favourable draw and will avoid most of the big guns en route to the final. First up is Slovakia on Sunday and Southgate is under pressure to change things up. Despite their struggles, England vs Slovakia tickets are still in high demand with loyal fans continuing to back their country.

How have Arsenal’s English trio fared? 

Declan Rice has been ever present in the heart of England’s midfield and has put in three solid display. Southgate’s biggest problem is finding Rice a suitable partner in the middle of the park. The Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield experience failed miserably. Conor Gallagher didn’t do much better when he was given the chance. Kobbie Mainoo impressed off the bench against Slovenia so he could get an opportunity to partner Rice on Sunday.

Like the rest of the England attackers, Bukayo Saka has struggled to make a real impact at the Euro’s so far. In Southgate’s ultra-conservative system, Saka has not been given the right framework to utilise his immense qualities. The Arsenal star did set-up Bellingham for his goal against Serbia and he had a goal ruled out against Slovenia for a tight offside in the build-up, but Saka is yet to showcase his best at Euro 2024.

As for Aaron Ramsdale, he’s been consigned to the bench – much like at Arsenal – with Southgate unsurprisingly opting to start Jordan Pickford in each of England’s three games so far.

Hosts impress

While England are yet to get going, hosts Germany have been one of the surprise packages so far. Arsenal’s Kai Havertz was on target from the penalty spot as Germany thrashed Scotland 5-1 on the opening night of the Euro’s. Havertz impressed with his link-up play too and helped Germany rip the Scots apart with youngsters Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala among the scorers.

The Arsenal forward also started up front against Hungary in Germany’s second group game but struggled to make an impact as the hosts ran out 2-0 winners. Havertz again lead the line up front against Switzerland but had a poor game with Niclas Fullkrug coming off the bench to score his second of the tournament in a 1-1 draw. Many German fans are calling for Havertz to be dropped for Fullkrug but it remains to be seen if Julian Nagelsmann will stick with the Arsenal man against Denmark in the last-16 on Saturday.

Saliba a rock

Despite many saying before the tournament that William Saliba wouldn’t be picked by Didier Deschamps at Euro 2024, the Arsenal centre-back started all three of France’s group games and he was impressive throughout. The French are yet to click in attack with superstar Kylian Mbappe hampered by a broken nose, but they still made it through to the knockouts after finishing second in Group D on five points.

Saliba was a rock at the back as France beat Austria 1-0 in their opening game and helped Les Blues to another clean sheet with a 0-0 draw against Holland. France largely disappointed against Poland as Mbappe’s penalty was cancelled out by a re-taken spot kick from Robert Lewandowski in a 1-1 draw. However, France and Saliba have a huge game against Belgium to look forward too in the last-16 on Monday night.

Raya features as Spain progress

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was an unused substitute in Spain’s opening two group games with Uni Simon preferred between the sticks. The Spaniard’s impressed as they thrashed Croatia 3-0 in their opening match before beating Italy 1-0 to take control of Group B. However, Raya was handed a start in their final game against Albania and kept a clean sheet during a 1-0 to help Spain become the only nation to win all of their group games.

They’ve been rewarded with a game against Georgia in the last-16 but the chances are Raya will be consigned to the bench again with Simon recalled.

Trossard falls flat

After a superb end to the season with Arsenal, many hoped to see Leandro Trossard tearing it up at the Euro’s. However, that hasn’t been the case as he’s struggled to have a meaningful impact so far. He started in Belgium’s opening game but was poor during a shock 1-0 defeat to Slovakia.

Trossard was then dropped for Belgium’s 2-0 win over Romania before being recalled for their final group game against Ukraine. However, he struggled again and was substituted as Belgium were held to a 0-0 draw. They now play France in the last-16 and Trossard’s place in the line-up is under threat.

Jorginho inconsistent

Jorginho was excellent during Italy’s opening game as they came from behind to beat Albania 2-1. The Arsenal man dictated play in midfield, completing over 120 passes, as he rolled back the years. However, Jorginho was very poor against Spain in the next game and was hauled off at half-time during the 1-0 defeat.

The 32-year-old was recalled against Croatia and played reasonably well as the Italians scored a stoppage time equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw. They’ll now face Switzerland on Saturday night with Jorginho possibly facing off against Rice and Saka in the quarter finals if both Italy and England progress.

Arsenal trio coming home

Jacub Kiwior suffered an early exit at Euro 2024 as Poland failed to get out of a very tough Group D – finishing bottom behind Holland, France and Austria. The Arsenal defender featured in all three group games and was particularly impressive against Holland, but couldn’t prevent his nation from crashing out.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is also coming home early as the Ukraine were unfortunate not to progress. In a crazy Group E where all four teams ended on 4 points, Ukraine’s goal difference meant they finished bottom of the pile. Zinchenko picked up an assist during the 2-1 win over Slovakia but was otherwise quiet.

Kieran Tierney had a tournament to forget. The out-of-favour Arsenal full-back started against Germany in the opening game but was forced off early after suffering a hamstring injury. He was ruled out of Scotland’s final two games as the Tartan Army crashed out after finishing bottom of Group A with just one point.

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