Arsenal players heading to the 2024 Copa America tournament

The 2024 Copa America is upon us and promises some epic football showdowns. 

Heavyweights like reigning champions Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia will headline the tournament. 

They are joined by giants of North America, like hosts the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada.

The showpiece has always been a solid battleground for South America’s finest, and the expanded format will be no different.

In this article, we look at Arsenal’s contingent at the Copa America and the challenges they must scale to claim the continental prize. 

With the tournament inching closer, many Arsenal fans hope to see some of their favourites dazzle in their national team colours.

Fans can buy their Copa America tickets at seatsnet.com to cheer their heroes live as America’s finest battle for supremacy.

Arsenal duo join Brazil’s plan to overthrow Argentina

Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes have been called up for the tournament by new manager Dorival Junior, joining the Selecao’s mission to reclaim the title they won in 2019.

Archrivals and World Cup champions Argentina beat them in the final of the 2021 edition, and the Selecao will be out for revenge. 

The Albiceleste have been on a different level since manager Lionel Scaloni took over in 2020, moulding the squad into a tight-knit unit.

However, Brazil want to dethrone the Argentines. Martinelli and Magalhaes hope to play a crucial role in their country’s bid.

Martinelli managed only eight goals and five assists in 44 appearances for the Gunners last term. He had suffered a massive drop off from the previous season when he registered 15 goals and six assists in 46 outings. 

The Brazilian international was increasingly unsure of himself in the final third. He scored only six league goals and missed five big chances.

Injuries and disruptions played a massive part in hampering his season. 

However, Martinelli can put his club form behind him and deliver an excellent tournament for Brazil. 

The 22-year-old might find it hard to break into the first team via the left flank, with Vinicius Junior, Savio, and Rodrygo Goes holding down that side.

His best bet at playing could be at centre-forward, where he has to compete with Real Madrid’s Endrick and Porto’s Evanilson. 

Wonderkid Endrick impressed the coach with two goals during the March friendlies, but he was stretchered off in his final game for Palmeiras, leaving a possible void to fill. 

Martinelli can lead the line for the Selecao and will be desperate to help them overcome their poor form since the 2022 World Cup. 

Meanwhile, Magalhaes has been stellar for Arsenal for the past two seasons, forming arguably the Premier League’s best central defensive pairing with William Saliba.

During the 2023/24 season, the 26-year-old helped the Gunners keep 15 clean sheets in 36 league appearances, winning 60% of his duels.

He has grown tremendously since arriving at the Emirates from Ligue 1 side Lille, and it is not far-fetched to say that he is one of the best defenders in the world. 

The Sao Paulo-born centre-back is solid in the air and on the ground and has managed to cut out the silly mistakes/giveaways that overshadowed his game. 

Magalhaes will hope to convince Dorival that he can anchor the defence alongside one of Marquinhos, Gleison Bremer, or Eder Militao. 

He has grown in stature, maturing into a fine centre-half and will be keen on bringing that experience/growth to the international stage.

Two Gabriels in, one Gabriel out

A key talking point surrounding Dorival Junior’s shortlist for the upcoming tournament was the absence of Gabriel Jesus, who has been an integral part of the Selecao for some time.

Jesus has been in the Brazil squad for their last four international tournaments and expected to get the call again, but it never came.

This exclusion can be attributed to Jesus’ underwhelming club performances.

Jesus had a disappointing season, managing only four goals in 27 Premier League appearances and recording an appalling 7% conversion rate. 

His shot conversion is the worst in the top flight of any striker who took 50+ shots.

Jesus was never the most prolific centre-forward around, but he more than compensated for it with his all-round game. However, even that aspect of his game suffered. He struggled to find his Midas touch.

The former Manchester City striker started only 17 league games as injuries ravaged his season. The injuries blighted his momentum, and he never got into his groove. 

Jesus will use this period to recover from his injuries and return to peak fitness. He needs to focus on replicating the illustrious heights he reached at City, where he netted over 20 goals in successive seasons. 

With a clean bill of health and a return to form, Jesus can be a crucial player for Arsenal next season, helping the club end its two-decade wait for a league title.

Arsenal players at the European Championship

Apart from the Copa America, several Arsenal players are set to light up the 2024 European Championship in Germany, giving top Gooners plenty to cheer for.

The hosts get the tournament underway with a clash against Scotland on June 14. 

Arsenal fans will have a vested interest in this opening match as Germany’s Kai Havertz looks to replicate his stellar club form on the international stage.

Havertz is fighting for a starting berth, while Arsenal loanee Kieran Tierney is a permanent fixture for Scotland.

Spain also boast an Arsenal connection in goalkeeper David Raya. Raya is pushing to claim the starting spot ahead of Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon, and after keeping 18 clean sheets in the Premier League, he will fancy his chances.

The reigning champions, Italy, will rely on the experience and leadership of midfielder Jorginho to help them retain their title. 

The former Chelsea metronome played an unheralded role in Arsenal’s title challenge, and he is set to anchor Luciano Spalletti’s midfield at Euro 2024.

Euro 2020 finalists England are desperate to bring a trophy home after decades of heartbreak, and three Arsenal stars will be instrumental in their quest – Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Aaron Ramsdale have all made Gareth Southgate’s final squad for the tournament.

On the other hand, France are targeting their first continental silverware since 2000, and Saliba will be pushing hard to earn a starting role for Les Bleus.

Luck may be on his side after Dayot Upamecano hobbled off in their preparatory 3-0 friendly win over Luxembourg. 

Saliba replaced the Bayern Munich man and can book a spot in the XI with his compatriot nursing an injury.

Poland qualified through the play-offs but are out to cause upsets. Jakub Kiwior is a regular fixture in their backline and will look to catch the eye.

Belgium want to shake off their recent struggles in major tournaments, and they have a potent weapon in Leandro Trossard. His versatility and knack for scoring crucial goals could be vital for Roberto Martinez’s men.

Meanwhile, Ukraine will look to Oleksandr Zinchenko’s creativity and experience to guide them through the group stage and potentially beyond. He will need to shake off his rusty club form to aid their bid.