For the vast majority of the core players, pre-season is largely a tuning up exercise. For example, players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice’s seasons are unlikely to be defined by what they do during pre-season friendlies- not least because in the case of Saka and Rice, they will have truncated pre-seasons anyway.
However, for some players, pre-season can really set the tone for what is to come. This often happens for young players who enjoy a breakthrough. When Gabriel Martinelli signed from Ituano in the summer of 2019, he was largely considered a signing for the U23s in the short term but quickly impressed on pre-season tour in the US.
Jack Wilshere enjoyed an excellent pre-season in 2010 and became a lock in the first eleven, while Cesc Fabregas did something similar in the summer of 2004. Both summers saw lots of first team players at international tournaments, which gave young talent the space to stake their claim during pre-season.
At the risk of overstating things, it is difficult not to feel a similar twinge in the muscle memory for Ethan Nwaneri this summer. Injuries often dictate how pre-seasons look too. Two summers ago, Takehiro Tomiyasu was injured as William Saliba returned from a loan spell. Ben White filled in at right-back and hasn’t moved from that position ever since.
Sometimes, a strong pre-season can reignite a player too. Which brings us onto Gabriel Jesus. After scoring against Manchester United in LA last week, Gabriel Jesus told Arsenal.com, ‘Last year I lost my pre-season, I could feel pain in my knee and I was trying to force it. I had the surgery and after that it is difficult to come back. This year it is different.’
💬 “I was focused to come back well and have a good pre-season. Now I’m in different shape and can play football again.”
Jesus on his growing confidence and the benefits of a full pre-season👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 28, 2024
Pre season is probably the worst time to get injured…
Source link : https://arseblog.com/2024/08/the-resurrection-of-gabriel-jesus/
Author : Tim Stillman
Publish date : 2024-08-01 12:00:35
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