Arsenal begin their pre-season preparations for the 2025/26 campaign on Monday with plenty of promise brewing for the campaign ahead.
Their hands were kept off the Premier League trophy by Liverpool last season, and they were denied a place in the Champions League final by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain after making it to the last four, as Mikel Arteta’s side once again proved they stand on the edge of greatness.
Tweaks to the squad are clearly needed to take that next step from runners-up to the best in the land, or indeed Europe. And although all summer business has not been concluded as the Gunners players return to the Sobha Realty Training Centre, things seem to be heading in the right direction.
Looking towards the new season – which begins on Sunday, August 17, with a trip to Manchester United – Arsenal have a clear plan in place, with a warm weather camp in Spain kicking things off.
“The players are demanding it,” Arteta told reporters before last season ended. “I mean nowadays I think it’s impossible to have four, five, six weeks on your sun bed, putting sun cream [on] and just ordering drinks.
“Then come back, six weeks later and go full gas, tour and play 65 games. I think it’s impossible. Now they demand themselves to be in the best possible condition.
“We are really lucky because we have boys there that they want to spend the summer with their families and with them, so they want to be together as well, so if they can pick a place that we can do that, we can facilitate that, more than welcome to do that.”
That precedes a tour of Asia, which includes friendlies against AC Milan (July 23) and Newcastle United (July 27), both in Singapore, plus a visit to Hong Kong to meet rivals Tottenham Hotspur (July 31). The club have now also confirmed two more fixtures at the Emirates Stadium, facing La Liga clubs Villarreal (August 6) and Athletic Club (August 9).
Able to link up with their new Arsenal teammates from the get-go will be goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and the newly-announced Martin Zubimendi.
On Sunday, July 6, at lunchtime, the Spaniard was unveiled after months of intrigue over his move from Real Sociedad. He joins in a €65m (£55m) deal with the La Liga side, almost 12 months on from rejecting Liverpool.
Beforehand, Kepa had been confirmed as the first summer signing so far when his £5m release clause from Chelsea was paid, allowing him to sign a three-year contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Kepa intends to challenge David Raya for his place as Arteta’s first-choice goalkeeper, saying upon his arrival: “We will compete, we will train together, we will share a lot of time together. We will have competition, as with all the positions in the team, but with the only goal that is to win and be the best ones.”
Another summer signing Arteta will be hopeful of adding to his pre-season squad, though not confirmed yet, is a second defensive midfielder, Christian Norgaard.
The Danish international has emerged as a Premier League-proven target to add depth to the position, with Brentford sporting director Phil Giles confirming their captain is close to making the switch. The deal looks to be set at £10m.
Arteta’s system functions specifically with a defensive midfielder, and as both he and Zubimendi will be new, they will need the time to bed in, following the departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey.
It goes without saying too; as things stand, we are no clearer in understanding who Arsenal are committing towards in their search for a new striker. As a result, it can’t be guaranteed that one will be added immediately for pre-season, though not for a lack of effort.
That leaves the last excitement for pre-season to come down to which youngsters Arteta will bring along for the ride. Of particular high regard is 15-year-old attacking midfielder Max Dowman.
Again, as Arteta discussed the summer plans before the 2024/25 campaign concluded, the boss said: “I think Max, probably, will be in and around the pre-season. Obviously he’s got a very busy schedule as well in the summer, because he is in a tournament at the moment and he’s going to need some rest.
“And we will pick another few from the academy as well to be in and around the team and hopefully get a nice, beautiful surprise again.”
Dowman has been in and around Arteta’s squad for training last season with his talents widely recognised. The majority of his time has been spent with the under-18s, making 25 appearances, though there is the possibility he makes advancements through the age groups next term, and who knows, maybe there is a competitive first-team debut on the cards?
That begins with being fully integrated in pre-season and getting minutes in friendlies, so he will be one to watch over the upcoming year.
That makes it four named players who Arteta can look forward to working with in pre-season, with the possibility for more if a striker signing is finalised and ‘another few’ academy starlets who will be trialled alongside Dowman.
