Arsenal will return for pre-season training in early July, before taking on AC Milan in Singapore later that month.
Asia will welcome Arsenal this summer, with the Gunners announcing back in April that Mikel Arteta and his squad will be visiting Singapore and Hong Kong on their pre-season tour.
The Gunners take on Milan at the National Stadium in the South East Asian nation on July 23rd, before facing Newcastle a few days later at the same venue.
They’ll then travel north-east to play Tottenham in the first ever North London Derby not on English soil, in Hong Kong.
Arsenal had eleven players on international duty this month, with only Ethan Nwaneri still away with his country, meaning Arteta should have almost the entirety of his squad to pick from for the game against Milan.
With just under six weeks until Arsenal play Milan, it’s not clear what state the Gunners’ ensemble will be in by the time the match comes around.
However, hazarding a guess at what sort of eleven Arteta could field for the clash is an interesting task.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to sign for Arsenal from Chelsea, and the tactician may want to get a good-look at the shot-stopper from the outset, by starting him against the Serie A side.
At right-back, Jurrien Timber underwent ankle surgery in May and may not be back in time for the Milan game, meaning Ben White is likely to be named in the eleven.
William Saliba should have recovered from his end-of-season injury in time to feature, although Gabriel Magalhaes may not be ready, potentially creating an opportunity for Riccardo Calafiori amid uncertainty about Jakub Kiwior’s future.
July 23: Arsenal vs AC Milan – 12:30pm (BST) – National Stadium, Singapore
July 27: Arsenal vs Newcastle – 12:30pm (BST) – National Stadium, Singapore
July 31: Arsenal vs Tottenham – 11:30am (BST) – Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong
Myles Lewis-Skelly would then complete the back four, while the midfield could be full of change.
Martin Zubimendi is expected to sign for Arsenal, and with Jorginho out the door and Thomas Partey yet to sign a contract, the Spaniard could make his debut in Singapore.
Ahead of him, one of Mikel Merino or Declan Rice will likely start as the left eight.
It’s understood that teenage sensation Max Dowman is likely to go on Arsenal’s tour, and Arteta may want to get an immediate look at the starlet against Milan.
As for the front three, Kai Havertz will need minutes to rebuild his fitness after a lengthy spell out, while Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard are the only wingers who are almost certain to be involved, with Gabriel Martinelli being linked with a move away.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs AC Milan: Kepa, White, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Rice, Dowman, Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
While Havertz is likely to start due to his need for minutes, the Gunners could well have a fresh face to select up front.
Arsenal are advancing in talks with RB Leipzig over Benjamin Sesko, while Viktor Gyokeres remains an option that the North London outfit are exploring.
One of these strikers could be with the rest of Arteta’s squad in Asia, and itching to make their debut for their new club.
It’ll be imperative that whichever striker is signed by Andrea Berta has a full pre-season to integrate into Arteta’s team and gets plenty of minutes on the pitch before the real campaign kicks off.
With the aforementioned predicted line-up not containing several key squad members, the depth in Arteta’s roster is starting to look promising.
