Arsenal are preparing for the new season with an ambitious pre-season schedule and a sweeping squad overhaul, as Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta aim to end the club’s long wait for a Premier League title and make a serious push in the UEFA Champions League.
Following a third consecutive runners-up finish in 2024/25, the Gunners will kick off their pre-season with a high-profile tour of Asia, including marquee friendlies and the historic first North London Derby staged outside the UK.
The tour begins in Singapore with matches against AC Milan on July 23 and Newcastle United on July 27 at the National Stadium. Arsenal will then face Tottenham Hotspur on July 31 in Hong Kong’s sold-out Kai Tak Stadium, as part of the 2025 Hong Kong Football Festival. An open training session will be held on July 29 for fans. Arsenal managing director Richard Garlick hailed the Tottenham clash as “a landmark moment for our fans in Asia.
The Gunners return to north London for the Emirates Cup on August 9 or 10, with the opponent yet to be confirmed. A second friendly, likely against a top European side, is also being scheduled at the Emirates Stadium before the Premier League season starts on August 16. The first-team squad is expected to resume training in early July, with a warm-weather camp in Spain preceding the tour, although no matches will be played during the camp.
Transfer activity is set to define Arsenal’s summer as they look to address key gaps in the squad. According to The Mirror’s John Cross, the Gunners are targeting a marquee striker, a winger, a holding midfielder, and a goalkeeper. Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, who netted an astonishing 52 goals in 50 appearances last season, tops the striker shortlist, with his €100 million (£84 million) release clause well within reach. RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško (€70–80 million) and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins (£80 million+) are also under consideration.
In midfield, Arsenal have reportedly secured Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi for £51 million to replace Jorginho, who has joined Flamengo. Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to sign for around £5 million to strengthen the Gunners’ depth between the posts.
To facilitate these high-profile additions, Arsenal have released 20 players and completed permanent exits for Nuno Tavares (£7.6 million to Lazio) and Marquinhos (£3 million to Cruzeiro). Kieran Tierney is among those departing, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is currently in talks with AC Milan, potentially freeing up more funds. However, the improved form of Jakub Kiwior may see him stay and compete for a regular role.
Young talents Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are also expected to play prominent roles this season. Lewis-Skelly, who impressed with 39 appearances last term, has drawn interest from Real Madrid, but Arsenal remain optimistic about tying down both academy stars to new long-term deals.
The upcoming pre-season will be crucial for building chemistry within the squad and embedding new signings into Arteta’s tactical framework. Last season’s lack of cutting edge in attack, exacerbated by injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus was a key factor in Arsenal falling 10 points short of champions Liverpool.
With a challenging pre-season fixture list featuring AC Milan, Newcastle, and Tottenham, Arsenal’s revamped squad will be thoroughly tested ahead of a campaign where silverware is the clear objective.
