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Arsenal will be heavily represented at this summer’s European Championships in France, with ten members of the first-team squad called up to represent their respective nations when the tournament kicks off this month.
We imagine the majority of you will be watching the tournament, and betting on Triple Crown and Euro 2016, so we’ve thrown together a guide to help you follow Arsenal’s contingent throughout their campaign this summer!
Group A
Who: Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud (France), Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)
Euro 2016 host nation France have two Arsenal players in their squad, with both Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud likely to play a huge part in the home nations competition. They’ll come up against new Gunner Granit Xhaka in the group stage, with both aiming to progress to the knock-out stages of the tournament.
Group A sees France, Switzerland, Albania and Romania clash, with the two sides with Arsenal’s representatives favourites to advance through to the next round. Switzerland v France is the final game of the group, which could decide who goes through as winners.
June 10th: France v Romania (20:00 BST)
June 11th: Albania v Switzerland (14:00 BST)
June 15th: Romania v Switzerland (17:00 BST)
June 15th: France v Albania (20:00 BST)
June 19th: France v Switzerland (20:00 BST)
Group B
Who: Jack Wilshere (England), Aaron Ramsey (Wales)
Group B sees the Battle of Britain occur, with Jack Wilshere’s England coming up against Aaron Ramsey’s Wales, with the latter set for their first European tournament in over four decades. Hopes are high for both nations, though the Three Lions are favourites to win the group.
Both midfielders are likely to be starters for their nations and will have to be on their toes against solid opposition, with the final members of the group being Russia and Slovakia. England should progress, whilst Wales will have a stern test.
June 11th: Wales v Slovakia (17:00 BST)
June 11th: England v Russia (20:00 BST)
16th June: England v Wales (14:00 BST)
20th June: Russia v Wales (20:00 BST)
20th June: England v Slovakia (20:00 BST)
Group C
Who: Mesut Ozil (Germany), Wojciech Szczesny (Poland)
Group C also sees Arsenal stars going head-to-head, with an age-old rivalry on the cards as Germany tackle neighbours Poland. Mesut Ozil will be a crucial member of Joachim Lowe’s side as they attempt to follow up World Cup success two years ago with Euro 2016 victory, and is a good bet to bag the most assists. Wojciech Szczesny may find himself the man called upon to keep them out.
Whilst Ozil is expected to star, Szczesny will have to compete with former Arsenal colleague Lukas Fabianski for the spot in-goal for Poland. It’s also a chance for many fans to see Szczesny back in action, as he spent this campaign on-loan with Roma.
June 12th: Poland v Northern Ireland (17:00 BST)
June 12th: Germany v Ukraine (20:00 BST)
16th June: Germany v Poland (20:00 BST)
21st June: Northern Ireland v Germany (17:00 BST)
21st June: Ukraine v Poland (17:00 BST)
Group D
Who: Hector Bellerin (Spain), Tomas Rosicky, Petr Cech (Czech Republic)
The final group with Arsenal involvement is Group D, which sees Hector Bellerin hoping to push his way into Spain’s first-team set-up after being called into the side following an injury to Alvaro Arbeloa. Up against him is Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky, the latter of whom is battling an injury problem.
Spain will be looking to erase the demons of their disastrous World Cup campaign two years ago, whilst the Czech Republic will be hoping to take advantage of two of their veteran stars, who could call time on their international careers after their exploits in France.
June 13th: Spain v Czech Republic (14:00 BST)
June 17th: Czech Republic v Croatia (17:00 BST)
June 17th: Spain v Turkey (20:00 BST)
June 21st: Croatia v Spain (20:00 BST)
June 21st: Czech Republic v Turkey (20:00 BST)
