5 things to watch out for during Arsenal's 2024 pre-season tour

It's a fairly unique pre-season for top-level European clubs across the continent given the sheer abudance of international football that's being played this summer.

It's not often that a European Championship, Copa America, and Summer Olympic Games are held within just a few weeks of each other.

Now, Arsenal aren't set to be affected by the Paris Olympics, but deep runs for several stars at the Euros and Copa mean Mikel Arteta's plans have been distorted somewhat. The congested schedule meant there was no time for a trip to Adidas HQ to kick off pre-season, and the Spaniard will be without several senior stars for the Gunners' tour to the States.

Nevertheless, it's an exciting time for all supporters with 2024/25 only edging closer and the US tour will present the first opportunity to catch Arteta's Gunners in action since May.

Here are five things to keep an eye on during Arsenal's 2024 pre-season tour.

1. Young shot-stoppers aim to impress

With Spain and England going all the way at Euro 2024, neither Aaron Ramsdale nor David Raya have boarded the plane. They'll regroup with the squad upon their return to north London.

Thus, there are four young goalkeepers aiming to impress the coaches out in the US, including the highly-rated new arrival Tommy Setford. Arsenal have high hopes for the 18-year-old, who's also an England youth international, and there may be scope for Setford to emerge as the club's third-choice shot-stopper should he impress this summer. However, a loan move away is more likely.

Karl Hein remains on the club's books having enjoyed the odd senior appearance in recent seasons. He'll be the first choice on tour with Setford, fellow new arrival Lucas Nygaard, and 18-year-old Alexei Rojas making up the rest of the depth chart.

2. One last chance for some

Arsenal are hopeful of pushing out several senior stars to facilitate the arrivals of a couple more before the summer transfer window slams shut.

Reiss Nelson is garnering Premier League interest, while Eddie Nketiah has caught the eye of Marseille. It seems as if those two are on their way out no matter how they perform on tour. Moreover, a cramped left-back depth chart means Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko could be on the chopping block.

The most intriguing potential departure, though, is undoubtedly Emile Smith Rowe. We know how much Mikel thinks of the maverick Englishman given how crucial Smith Rowe was to the Spaniard remaining in the job at the end of 2021. However, injuries have set ESR back and the speed of Arteta's project has left the playmaker behind. Arteta would love to see Smith Rowe thrive once again at the Emirates, but the sensible move this summer may be to part ways should a reasonable offer come in.

Fulham boast a strong interest, but the Gunners have so far rebuffed the Cottagers' intrigue. This may be one last tour for Smith Rowe to convince not only Arteta, but the club as a collective.

3. Jurrien Timber

You might be reading a lot about this chiselled Italian and the aura-inspired backline Arsenal are going to be putting out next season. Hold your horses, folks. There's a Jurrien Timber comeback to enjoy, too.

Having missed the overwhelming majority of his debut campaign, Timber looks fresh at the start of pre-season and the boss has already noted how "excited" he is to have the Dutchman back. The former Ajax defender is a crucial profile to boast given his standout abilities in one-v-one situations and efficiency in possession.

The idea of Timber playing a sporadic role next season is one I just can't get my head around. Assuming he stays injury-free and can return to the level many projected pre-injury, the Dutchman should be operating as a key cog for the title hopefuls next season.

I can't wait to see him in pre-season.

4. Integration of senior stars

Arsenal face Bournemouth without a big chunk of their senior squad. Raya, Ramsdale, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and William Saliba will play no part in the States, but there will be a mid-tour integration of senior stars to enjoy.

Ahead of Saturday night's clash with Manchester United in Los Angeles, Kai Havertz, Gabriel, and Gabriel Martinelli will join the squad and play a part at SoFi Stadium.

The two Brazilians should be fresh given their lack of game time at Copa America, and Martinelli, in particular, will want to enjoy a productive pre-season given his struggles last season.

5. Riccardo Calafiori's integration

It's been a mute start to the summer window, but Arsenal will soon have completed their first outfield signing in the form of Calafiori.

A full agreement is in place with Bologna worth around €45m all in, and once the defender has completed his medical and signed all the official documents, he will team up with his Arsenal teammates.

That, of course, won't be before kick-off against Bournemouth but he'll almost certainly be involved either against Man Utd on Saturday or Liverpool on 31 July.

There's nothing like enjoying a new signing in pre-season action. Zinchenko and Timber are among the recent full-backs to star in the summer; perhaps Calafiori can continue that trend. It'll be fascinating to see the defensive configurations Arteta conjures up given the unicorn profiles he possesses in his backline.

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