Which of England’s heroes should Arsenal try to sign?

Kalvin Phillips, 25, salutes the England faithful

Which of England’s heroes should Arsenal try to sign?

By Jonny Bray

It’s hard to think of a member of England’s squad for the European Championships whose stock has gone down since the beginning of June.  
From starters such as Jordan Pickford, Harry Maguire, and Harry Kane to squad players Sam Johnstone, Conor Coady and Ben White, every player will be able to say that they’ve done their country proud this summer.  
Despite defeat in the final against Italy, many of the players in the squad could even expect a big transfer to a top side.  
Performances against the likes of Croatia, Germany and even Italy in the final have shown almost every member of the squad could do a job against Europe’s elite.  
Even some of the lesser-known characters have proven that they’re good enough to compete at the top level and that they have the mentality and selflessness necessary to be part of a team competing for the top six.  
And in games such as the quarter-final against Ukraine, more experienced players stood up to be counted.  
Jordan Henderson scored his first England goal in Rome but has also impressed off the bench in almost every instance. John Stones has finally become the player we all knew he could be, and most impressively of all Raheem Sterling has looked like Lionel Messi at points during the competition.  

Sam Johnstone 

It was a big mistake letting Emiliano Martinez leave to join Aston Villa last season.  
Since then, the Gunners have had to rely on Bernd Leno as a guaranteed first choice with the disappointing Rúnar Rúnarsson as backup.  
Johnstone, 28, could provide a solid alternative at a fair price, whilst also potentially being a long-term successor for Leno, who still has question marks hanging over his credentials as Arsenal’s first choice keeper.  
Furthermore, His current employers West Bromwich Albion have just been relegated, meaning it is likely England’s third choice could be looking for a move away.  

Tyrone Mings 

Tyrone Mings had a lot of critics heading into this summer’s competition.  
Some said he was too slow or too clumsy, but in England’s opener against Croatia he looked a mature and classy player who won’t shy away from the big occasion.  
His chances for England have been limited since then, however, it’s clear that he’s highly rated at Aston Villa and it’s about time we put in a ridiculously low bid for one of their best players!  
He’d most likely cost over £30 million if Arsenal were to try to sign him, but he’s arguably done more for the squad then Ben White who the Gunners appear happy to spend over £50 million on.  

Kalvin Phillips  

Kalvin Phillips would be an excellent signing for Arsenal.  

He’d be a natural successor to Granit Xhaka if the midfielder were to move to Jose Mourinho’s Roma this summer and would be a real option in Arteta’s side.  

This summer he’s proven that he can go forward as well as sit deep whilst solidifying himself as one of Europe’s best pressers.  

Xhaka hasn’t looked mobile enough for the Premier League, he’s looked slow and behind the pace on numerous occasions which is one of the reasons why he makes so many errors leading to goals.  

In contrast, Phillips is young, hungry and was one of England’s standout performers in the final against Italy.  

He would make a great option of Arteta heading into next season.  

Dominic Calvert-Lewin  

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s stock has risen so much over the past 12 months that it’s easy to forget just how unfancied he was this time last summer.  
He probably wouldn’t have been in the conversation to be in the squad were it not for Covid-19 delaying the tournament by a year.  
However, after a stunning season with Everton, which saw him score 16 times in 33 league appearances, the 24-year-old striker has solidified himself as England’s second choice number nine and first-choice salmon impersonator.  
It says a lot about Calvert-Lewin’s athleticism and leaping ability that the only player his aerial offense could be compared to is Cristiano Ronaldo.  
The Everton player would be an excellent addition to Arteta’s side if the Gunners sell a forward this summer.  

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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