One Arsenal transfer target was just spotted performing an unusual pre-match routine ahead of a Euro 2024 fixture.
Arsenal have held an interest in Dusan Vlahovic for some time.
Arsenal made a move for Vlahovic in January 2022, as reported by Metro, and Mikel Arteta is still thought to admire the Juventus striker.
With the Gunners now in the market for a goalscorer again this summer, the Spanish coach may consider rekindling his interest in the 24-year-old. He will certainly be keeping a close eye on his performances at Euro 2024.
Vlahovic started for Serbia on Sunday evening as they took on an England team featuring to two Arsenal stars in the form of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.
The Three Lions started well. Saka impressed Arsenal fans with his display, and he provided the cross for Jude Bellingham’s early goal, which ultimately proved to be the winner.
However, Serbia came on strong after half time, with Vlahovic and his international teammates piling the pressure on Gareth Southgate’s side. After the match, Rice was hailed by the media for the defensive qualities he displayed in this period of the game.
Ultimately, whilst Serbia undeniably carry a threat, Vlahovic was unable to have the kind of impact in this match that he’d have been hoping for prior to kick off, when he was spotted engaging in a rather odd pre-game ritual.
Arsenal transfer target Dusan Vlahovic performs curious ritual at Euro 2024
Commentating on the BBC (16/06/2024, 20:42), Guy Mowbray revealed what he had seen Vlahovic doing on the pitch ahead of the game.
He said: “Dusan Vlahovic had a very strange pre-match ritual that myself and Alan Shearer witnessed. Never seen anybody do it before. He was the only player in the Serbia side who wandered out onto the pitch barefoot, planted his feet into the grass, stood motionless for a full five or six minutes, listening to something, going through some pre-match routine to get himself into the zone.”
All athletes, including footballers, tend to be superstitious, and it would appear that Vlahovic is no different. Obviously, on this occasion, he was still on the losing side. Serbia have shown that they have quality though and will be keen to bounce back in their upcoming group stage games against Denmark and Slovenia.
Arsenal star William Saliba urged to impress for France
All eyes at Arsenal will now turn to Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, and William Saliba, who could all be involved at Euro 2024 today.
Arsenal icon Emmanuel Petit is keen to see Saliba impress for France, though he is unlikely to start this evening’s match.
Arsenal players and transfer targets at Euro 2024
In this week’s episode of Cannon Fire – The Arsenal Insider Podcast, Will Jones and Rahul Lakhani discuss the European Championships. With 11 Arsenal players set to feature at the tournament, the pair debated which players could be fighting for their futures, and which are destined to succeed on the international stage.