Arsenal kick-off their 2025/26 Premier League campaign in just over 10 days’ time against Manchester United on Sunday, August 17. The Gunners have, thus far, beaten Newcastle United and AC Milan in friendlies, but lost their latest pre-season outing to north London rivals Tottenham.
Mikel Arteta’s squad have recently returned from Asia and are set to compete in the Emirates Cup this week as their final preparations before the trip to Old Trafford.
Sporting director Andrea Berta has completed six transfers, so far, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres all joining which has seen roughly £200million spent.
Only half have really been able to have a proper pre-season under Arteta with Gyokeres and Mosquera both late arrivals. Madueke, meanwhile, was given time off after featuring for Chelsea in their Club World Cup campaign.
The next seven or so days will be crucial for the trio to get fully up to speed with particular impetus on Gyokeres given the funds spent and the fact that he will likely be first-choice. Bukayo Saka is unsurprisingly above Madueke in the pecking order with the front-three completed by Gabriel Martinelli on the left.
Eberechi Eze, who has been linked with a move from Crystal Palace to Arsenal, could play in that position though his preference is to be deployed centrally. His release clause has now expired and as the new season edges closer, it becomes less likely that he seals that switch across London.
With less time to sign a replacement, the Eagles have every right to stand their ground on a high asking price and as limited movement is taking place over exits, Eze remaining at Selhurst Park is certainly plausible.
Arsenal are still pursuing his services and it’s still very much possible that a deal is completed for Eze, but a debut against Man United is unlikely. That is because Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are likely to occupy his preferred central roles with Zubimendi at the base of midfield.
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Arsenal’s defence is arguably their biggest strength and thus no major changes are needed. Injury issues could impact their strongest back-four early into the season, but Gabriel Magalhaes being back in their squad to face Villarreal is a huge boost.
There’s no sign of Jurrien Timber just yet, though, and it will likely result in Ben White starting at right-back with Myles Lewis-Skelly on the opposite flank. David Raya, Gabriel and William Saliba form the spine while Mosquera, Jakub Kiwior and Riccardo Calafiori provide more than adequate depth.
Dream Arsenal XI vs Man United: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Odegaard, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
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