Arsenal are due to welcome back their players in just over a month’s time on the week commencing July 7, football.london understands. There is then an opportunity for a short warm-weather training camp before the team fly to Asia on July 19.
Mikel Arteta was joined in Marbella last summer by several players for some early preparations before the tour. Arteta confirmed previously that this was something he was keen to do again this summer.
The club will be hoping to complete their summer business as early as they can, with sporting director Andrea Berta understood to be progressing in talks for multiple potential deals. The holistic approach of the Italian sees a change in the club’s approach in the market from his predecessor, Edu Gaspar.
Martin Zubimendi is expected to complete a move but it could take place in early July due to Real Sociedad and Arsenal’s accounting preferences. The Spaniard would then be able to join the team at the earliest possible time, integrate and become familiar with his new teammates.
Other key targets include a centre-forward, with Benjamin Sesko believed to be the primary candidate alongside Viktor Gyokeres. Like Zubimendi, if Arsenal are successful in finding an agreement for either player in June or early July, they too could join their new teammates on July 7.
Their first chance to play for the club in an official capacity, barring any behind-closed-doors matches that are arranged, would be on Wednesday, July 23, as the club take on AC Milan in Singapore. The media then will get a chance to see the players close-up in an open training session on July 25 before Arteta takes on Eddie Howe’s Newcastle again on July 27.
The squad will then fly to Hong Kong the following morning, take part in another open training session before playing north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on July 31. The team will then fly the next morning back to north London, where there is the chance for potentially two more games.
In 2024, the club hosted Bayer Leverkusen in the midweek before the week commencing with the first round of fixtures. The subsequent weekend, they played Lyon in the Emirates Cup before a week break until their first match of the season against Wolves.
football.london understands a similar schedule is being looked at for this summer although opponents and dates of the games are yet to be confirmed. These would be the first chance for the Emirates Stadium to play host to the club’s new signings.
The Premier League gets underway on the weekend of August 16. Fixtures will be announced on June 18.
