MIKEL ARTETA will make a late call on whether to include his England trio in Arsenal’s Emirates Cup clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale – as well as Spain’s David Raya and France’s William Saliba – joined back up with the squad at London Colney for training on Sunday morning.
The five North London stars enjoyed an extended break following the Euros while Arteta took the club on their 10-day tour of the United States from July 21, facing Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Four of them had been involved in England’s Euros final defeat to Spain in Berlin on July 14, while Saliba was a part of Les Bleus’ disappointing exit at the semi-finals.
With 12 days to go until Arsenal’s Prem opener at home to Wolves, Arteta will want the spine of his team ready to go, having completed personal training regimes while on their holiday.
And they were put through their paces with individual fitness tests back at Colney before being seen in good spirits as they took part in some small-sided drills.
Arteta was pictured embracing Saka upon his return, while the five were in fits of giggles as they were given the traditional ‘head-slapping’ tunnel treatment by the rest of their teammates on the training pitch.
The question remains whether Arteta will risk throwing them back into a competitive match as they welcome Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Bundesliga champions Leverkusen to the Emirates this week before playing Lyon on Sunday.
It is worth noting that Germany’s Kai Havertz and Brazil pair Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli did not travel out to the States until July 26 after their own Euros and Copa America action.
And 48 hours later, they were all second half substitutes in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over United out in Los Angeles.
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So, there is a high chance Rice, Saka and Saliba will not only be included in the squad but will play some part against Leverkusen – either as a starter or from the bench.
Rice played every minute of England’s seven Euros clashes, while Saka was on the pitch for 70 minutes or more in all but one of England’s games.
Saliba also started and played every minute of France’s run to the semis.
Arteta could be tempted to start Ramsdale in goal, despite his links with a move away this summer, given the Three Lions keeper failed to play a single minute at the Euros.
Arsenal No.1 Raya also had limited game time in Germany, featuring in just one 90-minute clash in a dead-rubber group stage clash against Albania on June 24.
In comparison, current No.3 Karl Hein played every minute in the States.
Arteta has a near-fully fit squad to choose from against Leverkusen, with only Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) missing the summer tour – the latter likely to leave the club in the coming weeks.
Jurrien Timber – back after suffering an ACL rupture in last term’s Prem opener – played all but one of the U.S. matches, rested for the Liverpool clash as a precautionary measure.
Riccardo Calafiori could make his full debut after his £42m move from Bologna. The versatile left-footed Italian defender joined up with the States group after signing on July 29 but was only a spectator.
