Just four players from Arsenal’s current squad have been named to squads at the current Euro 2020 tournament. As you can probably gather, that’s a decline from recent summers when Arsenal was much better represented. But how have Arsenal players fared in the past? Let’s look back at 25 years of Gunners and Euros’ history
Euro ‘96
4 Arsenal Players: Seaman, Adams, Platt (Eng), Bergkamp (Ned)
While this is the same amount as the current crop from 2021, you have to remember that there were just 16 teams at Euro ’96, and the Premier League had not yet become the multinational product it is today. You know the story by now: England lost in the Semis on penalties (Platt scored his); Bergkamp and the Netherlands crashed out in the Quarters to France.
Euro 2000
9 Arsenal Players: Seaman, Adams, Keown (Eng), Vieira, Petit, Henry (Fra), Ljungberg (Swe), Overmars, Bergkamp (Ned)
An utter disappointment for England when failing to qualify from the group – you’ll remember the dyed hairs of the Romania team. France, meanwhile, showed they were the best in the world with three Gunners as integral cogs in a Les Bleus’ machine that became dual World and European. Sweden would love a player like Ljungberg today, given they are predicted to struggle in Euro 2020 Group E. An outstanding Netherlands side lost out to Italy on penalties in the Semis.
Euro 2004
8 Arsenal Players: Cole, Campbell (Eng), Vieira, Pires, Wiltord, Henry (Fra), Ljungberg (Swe), Lehmann
Inspired by Wayne Rooney, England were much improved, although they exited on pens to Portugal in the Quarters. Ljungberg was excellent for Sweden, who were unlucky to go out on penalties to the Netherlands at the same stage. Arsenal’s French quartet could not get the team going, losing to eventual champions Greece. Lehmann was an unused sub as Germany went out in the group stage.
Euro 2008
7 Arsenal Players: Fabregas (Spa), Djourou, Senderos (Swi), Van Persie (Ned), Gallas (Fra), Fabianski (Pol), Lehmann (Ger)
Only Lehmann survived from Arsenal’s 2004 crop. He had become Germany’s number one by this stage. Switzerland made no impression on the tournament, finishing bottom of their group without a win. Fabianksi had not established himself as Poland’s number one – they also exited early. Once again, the talented Dutch failed in the knockout stages – Van Persie grabbed two goals in the group games. France finished bottom of the Group of Death. England, of course, did not qualify. Arsenal would have only sent Theo Walcott, anyway. Fabregas started for Spain as they dominated Germany in the Final.
Euro 2012
8 Arsenal Players: Szczesny (Pol), Rosicky (Cze), Arshavin (Rus), Van Persie (Ned), Mertesacker (Ger), Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Eng), Koscielny (Fra)
Walcott grabbed a crucial goal in the group stage against Sweden, but the 3 Lions went out in the Quarters to Italy. Rosicky captained an excellent Czech Republic side who were unlucky to go out to Portugal in the Quarters after a late Ronaldo winner. The Netherlands had their worst tournament in an age, finishing bottom of Group B (the tournament’s Group of Death). Russia and Arshavin could not build on the excellence of Euro 2008, narrowly missing out on the knockout stages.
Euro 2016
8 Arsenal Players: Cech, Rosicky (Cze), Bellerin (Spa), Ozil (Ger), Ramsey (Wal), Wilshere (Eng) Koscielny, Giroud (Fra)
Wilshere came on at half-time, but he could not do enough to stop the mighty Iceland from beating England in the Last 16 (this was the new 24-team format). Ramsey was integral for Wales as they marched to the Semis. Giroud had three goals as France marched to the Final, losing to Portugal. Ozil and Germany were well beaten by France in the Semis. Rosicky and Cech exited early, whereas Bellerin barely figured for Spain, who went out in the Last 16 after going down 2-0 to Italy.
Arsenal’s Euro 2020 players: Granit Xhaka (Swi), Bukayo Saka (Eng), Kieran Tierney (Sco) , Bern Leno (Ger)
