Jesus and Lokonga among 13 Arsenal players not called up for international duty

The summer has arrived and unlike last year, football fans need not worry about weeks on end without their beloved sport, with two tournaments set to kick off next month. First the European Championships in Germany kicks off on June 14 finishing exactly one month later whereas across the pond, the Copa America in the United States starts on June 20 and finishes on the same day as the Euros, July 14.

Arsenal have plenty of their players in action for their respective nations, and Mikel Arteta has already spoken openly about how the competitions may have an impact on potential transfer business. As the Gunners’ side improves, less and less stars stay in north London across the summer however there remain a number who will be having some time off but returning to train with Mikel Arteta and start pre-season.

With David Raya’s loan expiring but expectations over his deal being made permanent, he and Aaron Ramsdale will likely be heading off to Euros having been part of the Spain and England group of backup goalkeepers. Unai Simon and Jordan Pickford have been keeping both players out of the starting eleven but both will be pushing to usurp the starters in the next couple years leaving only Estonia’s Karl Hein as the most senior goalkeeper who will be back with the team.

Ramsdale’s England teammate Ben White will not be with the Three Lions despite his excellent season unless his stance on the national setup changes. Gareth Southgate revealed that White had made himself unavailable for selection and is therefore expected to stay with fellow compatriots Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson who simply have not played enough to put themselves in the frame for a call-up.

There remain questions over Gabriel Magalhaes too after he suffered a painful shoulder injury in the final game of the season. He was replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko who will be flying out to Germany with Ukraine for the Euros, but whether he recovers for Brazil remains to be seen.

It would mean that he would remain with fellow Brazilian Gabriel Jesus who like Tottenham forward Richarlison was not called up for the Copa America. Gabriel Martinelli however was and will make the flight for the States.

Having spent the season on loan with Luton Town and Nottingham Forest, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares return to the club not expecting to be called up to the Belgian and Portugal squads this summer just like Fabio Vieira who needs a very strong pre-season to force his way back into the frame for the upcoming campaign.

Lastly, both Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey will also be returning for the first part of pre-season as their respective nations Japan and Ghana took part in the Asia Cup and Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. Arteta therefore has plenty of players to work with and plan for the pre-season tour of the States whilst any potential new arrivals will also join up if they are not involved with their own countries.