Arsenal will begin preparations for the 2025/26 campaign at the start of July when the majority of the squad return for pre-season.
The Gunners have a pre-season tour of Asia to look forward to this summer, with games against AC Milan, Newcastle and Tottenham on the agenda. Mikel Arteta, his coaching staff and the players will jet off to Singapore on July 19, it is understood, before flying to Hong Kong after taking on the Magpies on July 27.
It’s set to be yet another busy pre-season where players build up their fitness levels ahead of the north Londoners’ clash against Manchester United on August 17. Before that opening weekend fixture against Ruben Amorim’s side, and even before travelling to Asia, the Arsenal squad will fly to La Manga in Spain for a five-day training camp.
The trip will be similar to last year, when a selection of players trained in Marbella during EURO 2024, although no public matches will be scheduled. There is, however, the possibility the Gunners will organise a behind-closed-doors friendly. football.london takes a look at what a team might look like should Arteta decide to go ahead with a match.
As well as David Raya, Karl Hein is expected to report for pre-season training as things stands following a year away at Real Valladolid, who were relegated from La Liga. Tommy Setford will also likely be among the goalkeepers to make the trip to Spain and could even be joined by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Chelsea star wants to move to Emirates Stadium this summer, football.london understands, and is available for £5million. With Neto returning to Bournemouth after his loan spell last campaign, Kepa could be a decent backup to Raya and the trip to Spain may provide a chance to bond with his new teammates, if a deal is agreed.
Ben White, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Jakub Kiwior, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Oleksandr Zinchenko should also be available come the start of pre-season. Gabriel did miss the end of the 2024/25 season through injury but it’s understood he should be fit in time for pre-season, although he’s likely to take things slow initially. Takehiro Tomiyasu will be out until the end of the year, though, as the right-back continues his recovery from a knee injury.
Another new signing who could make the trip is Martin Zubimendi. football.london understands a deal for the Real Sociedad midfielder is all but agreed, with only a medical left to complete. The 26-year-old’s move is likely to be confirmed in July for accounting reasons, meaning he would be free to join up with the Arsenal squad at the start of pre-season.
Arsenal midfielders Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino will be among the group that travels to Spain. Thomas Partey may not be, however, as the Ghana international’s contract expires on June 30 and an extension is yet to be agreed.
Albert Sambi Lokonga could be seen in Arsenal colours yet again after a loan spell at Sevilla. The Belgian is not expected to remain with the Gunners, though, with Andrea Berta keen to try and get a fee for the 25-year-old. Ethan Nwaneri could also miss out with the teenager currently still on international duty with England Under-21s at the European Under-21 Championship. He’s likely to take an extra few weeks off and join up with the squad later down the line, perhaps just before the trip to Asia.
Looking at the front line and Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz should all be included in the travelling party. Gabriel Jesus will miss out due to his knee injury, while Reiss Nelson could be included to build up fitness ahead of another possible move away from the Gunners this summer.
With the five-day training camp in Spain still two weeks away, it’s possible a new striker is signed in this period. football.london understands Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko are targets although no deal has been agreed. It’s believed Sesko is the Gunners’ first choice and if a transfer can be completed in the coming weeks, it’s possible the Slovenian makes the trip to La Manga and even features in a behind-closed-doors friendly, should the stars align.
Of course, a number of youngsters are also likely be make the trip and also be included in the pre-season tour to Asia. A lot may depend on which players depart and arrive in the weeks ahead, with plenty of incomings and outgoings expected.
Potential Arsenal behind-closed-doors XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Sesko, Saka.
