Could the Summer of 2021 Provide the Ultimate Catalyst for a Rejuvenated Arsenal?
With Euro 2020 dominating proceedings this summer club football allegiances will have been put to one side – for a few weeks, anyway. But it’s only natural to have kept a close eye on those returning to North London and a number of those employed by Arsenal had stunning tournaments.
Of the standouts, Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka have been scintillating in their respective nations’ deep runs in the competition.
Saka was the biggest revelation. Coming into the England side for the final group game against the Czech Republic, the 19-year-old played a key role in Raheem Sterling’s goal and impressed with his drive, even finding the time to go ‘viral’ when he rather bizarrely took his shirt off in the celebrations that ensued.
The left-footer kept his place in the team for the Round of 16 match against Germany, and once again he captured the attention of fans and pundits, alike. He was arguably the Three Lions’ star man in the first half, and his probing runs from the right flank will certainly have given Mikel Arteta food for thought ahead of the new Premier League season.
Meanwhile, Xhaka was outstanding for Switzerland against France in the last 16. Given more licence to roam forward than he would get for the Gunners, the newly peroxide-blonde midfielder showcased a range of passing the likes of which we have rarely seen before, and he’s another player who looks renewed this summer. His absence against Spain due to suspension was a huge loss and the Swiss were ultimately unable to win another penalty shootout, but they deserve credit for pushing another European heavyweight all the way.
It’s already been an excellent summer for Arsenal. And if mega-fan Ian Poulter can win the Open Championship, there could be double cause for celebration.
The Englishman, who once wore an Arsenal shirt during the Abu Dhabi Championship and has carried the Gunners insignia on his shoes too, is priced at 110/1 in the Open Championship 2021 golf betting odds, but his grinding game comes to the fore on tough courses like Royal St George’s, and he could be celebrating the victory of a lifetime this July.
A New Dawn?
It seems almost inevitable that Arteta will be looking to revolutionise the Arsenal squad this summer. The emergence of Saka as a right-winger for England perhaps completes the front three with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but there are still areas of improvement in midfield and defence.
It’s imperative, of course, that Emile Smith-Rowe is given game time from the start. He and Saka are the future of Arsenal, and together they could form an impressive attacking axis to provide the ammunition with which Aubameyang and Lacazette can fire.
Kieran Tierney is a must-pick at left-back, but as for the other defenders in the squad, it is hard to make case for anyone else being a certain starter next term.
This will surely be the main area of investment from Arteta this summer.
