Arsenal’s four Euro 2024 final stars set to miss pre-season tour of US but club have plan to get them up to speed
ARSENAL’S Euro 2024 finalists are unlikely to feature in the club’s U.S. pre-season tour.
England trio Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale and Spain’s David Raya were all in Berlin for the European showpiece on July 14.
The Spaniards came out on top 2-1 against the Three Lions with Gunners duo Rice and Saka starting while keepers Ramsdale and Raya remained on the bench.
Although not mandatory, Uefa guidelines suggest that players participating in an international tournament should have three weeks off before returning to club training.
But SunSport understands that the Emirates foursome are not expected to be aboard the flight that sees Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal head across the pond next week.
Rice, Saka, Ramsdale and Raya will likely not be involved as Arsenal face Bournemouth on July 25 and Manchester United on July 28 in LA and Liverpool in Philadelphia on August 1.
Instead, they will aim to be involved in the club’s Emirates Cup fixtures against Bayer Leverkusen on August 7 and Lyon on August 11 before the Premier League campaign kicks off at home to Wolves on August 17.
As a result, Arsenal No.3 Karl Hein – who has just signed a new deal – could play a starring role in the U.S. with a rare chance to shine.
As is customary, all four players are believed to have been given individual programmes to ensure they return to North London primed and ready for a return to action.
Defender William Saliba will also enjoy a staggered return having helped France reach the Euros semis before losing to eventual winners Spain.
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Rest and recovery could not come soon enough for Rice and Saka, who have barely missed a game for club and country during the 2023/24 campaign.
Rice started all but one of Arsenal’s 38 Prem outings, starting a total of 48 games in all competitions, as well as playing every minute of England’s seven Euros clashes.
Saka started 35 Prem games last term, starting 46 games in all competitions and before featuring for 70 minutes or more in all but one of England’s games in Germany.
After making 41 appearances in all competitions in his debut season at Arsenal, Raya played just once at the Euros – a dead rubber group stage victory over Albania with Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon first choice for La Roja.
Meanwhile, wantaway Gunners No.2 Ramsdale was an unused Euros sub, and has made just one appearance since March 10 – a 1-0 friendly defeat to Iceland at Wembley on June 7.
Arteta has no major injury concerns heading to the States, with Jurrien Timber fully recovered from his ACL rupture suffered on the Prem opener of last season.