Granit Xhaka was involved in a heated row with a reporter after Switzerland’s exit (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta has revealed plans to ‘psychologically assess’ Arsenal’s World Cup stars following several painful exits in Qatar.
Arsenal had 10 players fly out to Qatar for the World Cup and five of them are still in action ahead of the quarter-finals.
That includes Brazil star Gabriel Martinelli – with his country facing Croatia on Friday – as well as France’s William Saliba and England trio Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White as Les Bleus take on the Three Lions on Saturday.
Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with injury and could now be set for three months on the sidelines in a huge blow to the Gunners.
Thomas Partey’s World Cup is also over after Ghana were eliminated in the group stages following defeat to Uruguay in their third match.
United States goalkeeper Matt Turner is no longer involved either after the Americans lost to the Netherlands in the last 16.
Granit Xhaka and Takehiro Tomiyasu suffered perhaps the most painful exits – with Switzerland thumped 6-1 by Portugal and Japan beaten on penalties by Croatia.
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s Japan were beaten by Croatia on penalties (Picture: Getty)
Tomiyasu hinted he was not ready to make an instant return to Arsenal after Japan’s crushing last 16 defeat, but has since made a U-turn, while Xhaka was involved in a heated exchange with a journalist after the Swiss’ humiliation.
‘First we’ll assess them and see how they are psychologically and physically after the tournament they’ve had,’ Arteta told Arsenal’s website.
‘Some of them are still disappointed with some of the results.
‘Then we’ll try to get them back as quickly as possible in the rhythm and routine they’re used to, to start performing again.’
Arteta put out an experimental side as Arsenal smashed French side Lyon 3-0 in a friendly on Thursday – using first-team regulars in the first-half before making 10 changes after the break and handing opportunities to a number of youngsters.
‘From the beginning, the performance, the application and the quality that we showed was really good,’ Arteta added.
‘But I’m not surprised because I’ve seen them train every day and the way they trained here yesterday so I’m really happy. We play to win and today we won and played really well.’
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