Compared to recent years, Arsenal's summer looks relatively quiet. So far they only have three games lined up across the next two months before the Premier League gets under way again.
They are yet to confirm whether the Emirates Cup will return as a final curtain raiser in north London, whilst there is no planned trip to Nurnberg ahead of a pre-season tour either.
Last year, when there was a major tournament to factor in, Arsenal played five matches between July 25 and August 11. They were split between America and then N5 with players joining up irregularly due to involvement at the European Championship in Germany.
In 2023, when Arsenal signed Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, they were not as pushed for time and went to Nurnberg for initial preparations after a brief training camp at London Colney. That year, when they really kicked on from surprise title challenges to genuine contenders, there were five matches across three countries as well as a behind-closed-doors game and Community Shield.
Unlike rivals Manchester City and Chelsea, Arsenal do not have to worry about the Club World Cup ruining plans either. They have had players on international duty in this awkward in-between period since the season ended almost a month ago, but there is room for a break.
FIFA rules dictate that players are entitled to three weeks of uninterrupted rest. Arsenal can still afford that without infringing on their pre-season, whereas some at the Club World Cup will struggle. When adding in the recent World Cup qualifiers and friendlies, it is nightmarish.
Arsenal have had more of a blank canvas to play with. They did not have a post-season tour like Manchester United and were not in a European final. They really have had time off since the win at Southampton to end the campaign.
Many have been in action with their countries but can now look forward to a proper holiday. As for Arteta and Andrea Berta, they will be looking to add new bodies to the squad.
Arsenal are looking to sign a backup goalkeeper (set to be Kepa Arrizabalaga), midfield reinforcement (Martin Zubimendi), a winger, and striker. The latter two are both more complicated with multiple names in the mix.
Whether it is Rodrygo or Nico Williams, Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal have work to do on both fronts. They promise to define the summer window and how Arsenal look heading into next season.
Berta will also need to carry out some changes to the wider squad with uncertain futures for Thomas Partey, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior, and possibly more still. Bolstering those positions will be a crucial task if Arsenal are to compete on multiple fronts.
The good news is that there is still plenty of time. Arsenal have until September 1 to complete their business, even if the window is currently closed briefly. After opening for ahead of the Club World Cup, between June 1-10, there is a calm period now where no new registrations can be completed until June 16.
From there, it is two-and-a-half months of activity and noise. Arsenal have had an extended run up to this window, essentially ever since going out of the Champions League. Attention has been placed on Berta and Arteta with the expectation that a trophy is won next season.
The recruitment will dictate how possible that is and Arsenal will want to learn some of the lessons from last year. They had to turn to two deadline day loans to find cover on the wing and in goal. Neither Neto or Raheem Sterling had a major impact and it left Arteta without players he truly trusted to carry out a job, owing to less rest and competition for those playing regularly.
Raheem Sterling looks on during Arsenal's match with PSV Eindhoven
(Image: Ryan Pierse)
Mikel Merino's arrival dragged on due to his involvement at the Euros. Riccardo Calafiori's move was smoother but he came with niggling injury issues. It was not the ideal preparation, especially with Declan Rice, David Raya, and Bukayo Saka going all the way to the final as well.
Arsenal's pre-Euros plan to sign Sesko had been dealt a blow when he signed a new contract, and it left things in limbo for a long time. None of this helped Arsenal kick into gear quickly.
With the aforementioned gap in Arsenal's schedule this year, there is more time to focus on transfers and a much clearer deadline for getting deals done. The squad are due to fly out to Asia on July 19, football.london understands, with the first proper friendly on July 23 in Singapore against Milan.
Having new signings on board by the first game is surely a massive demand, especially given it is only three weeks before the season then starts. To maximise acclimatisation to a new club, teammates, and manager, getting the most game time as possible is massive.
Arsenal's players are due back for training at London Colney on July 7, which is an even earlier deadline to pencil in. If transfers can be completed either before then or between then and flying out, it once again gives that extra bit of time to get up to speed and to settle.
Arteta has admitted that some players are keen to go on a pre-pre-season trip to Marbella again, too. “The players are demanding it," he said. "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."
Once Arsenal are in Singapore things happen quickly so all of this preparation time will be important. They play three times in eight days, including against Tottenham at Singapore to finish off. This is not the ideal environment or scenario to come into.
Circumstances often dictate how quickly deals can be finished off, but there is a clear set of dates for Berta and Arteta to aim at here. Whether it is for Zubimendi or Sesko, Arsenal will want as much done as soon as possible. That is only logical, but it is rarely that easy.