Arteta implements split-squad strategy as Rice leads London pre-season group. Mikel Arteta implements Arsenal‘s important pre-season preparations with a clear split-squad approach. The intense training is taking place in two allocated areas. While a number of players are in La Manga, Spain for warm-weather conditioning, the majority of the group is at London Colney, with Declan Rice, following intense, individualized programs.
Rice’s Tailored Regime in London
Declan Rice, Arsenal’s current Player of the Season, and a nominee for PFA Player of the Year is at the heart of the plans from the group based in London. The reason for his non-appearance on the trip to Spain is by design. After historic campaign of 9 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, the £105m midfielder is concentrating on his individualized fitness plan. Moreover, Rice can focus completely on a fitness plan that is focused on how he can get physically prepared for the exhaustive 2025/26 season. It just shows Arteta’s intent on manipulating the workloads of certain key players to match the demands of the season. Rice has been able to continue with high-output gym and pitch sessions at the club’s training ground. This will allow him to arrive at peak condition before being integrated with the tour group later in the month.
Arsenal stepping up pre-season training as some remain in London – @Football_LDN
– Understand Declan Rice following individual training plan but absence from Spain trip is not a concern
– David Raya is expected back soon
– Team fly to Asia on July 19https://t.co/fPebdHL6lB
— Tom Canton (@TomCantonMedia) July 12, 2025
The Spain Camp: Integration & Youth Spotlight
Simultaneously, Arteta is pushing the squad in La Manga hard. The focus is sharply on integrating new arrivals and assessing emerging talent under demanding conditions:
New Signings: Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (on loan from Real Madrid) and midfielder Martin Zubimendi (signed from Real Sociedad) are undergoing intensive sessions. Moreover, they are being joined by Brentford’s Christian Norgaard, whose transfer is expected to be finalized imminently.
Youth Revolution: A bold statement is the inclusion of 15-year-old attacking midfielder Max Dowman, handed the No. 56 shirt. Dowman, who netted an impressive 19 goals across Arsenal’s youth teams last season, is receiving a significant first-team audition. Arteta has previously hinted the teenager could be a “beautiful surprise” this season.
Intensity: Reports from Spain detail double sessions focusing on tactical drills, high-pressing simulations, and endurance work, signalling Arteta’s demand for immediate intensity.
Managing Absences & Returns
The pre-season split also helps manage various player situations:
– Extended Leave: David Raya (post wedding), Fabio Vieira and Ethan Nwaneri (post-Club World Cup and U21 Euros respectively) are on extended leave but will join up for the Asia tour.
– Injury Rehabilitation: миces: Gabriel Jesus continues to rehab in London from offseason knee surgery. Reiss Nelson is also recovering from a very minor injury at Colney Jackson.
– Fully Participating: Captain Martin Ødegaard, while training in Spain, has fullymouse fictformalize any compulsory fitness doubts. Oleksaknzr haclud Drinking grad/month and has undergone full training with players like Albert Sambi Lokonga and Oleksandr Zinchenko who have ongoing breading speculation.
The Road Ahead: Asia Tour & Emirates Cup
Arsenal’s pre-season schedule intensifies rapidly:
1. Spain Training Camp: Ongoing in La Manga (Current).
2. Asia Tour (Departure July 19):
Singapore: vs. AC Milan (July 23), vs. Newcastle United (July 27).
Hong Kong: vs. Tottenham Hotspur (July 31).
3. Emirates Cup (London):
vs. Villarreal (August 5).
vs. Athletic Club (August 9).
Declan Rice is expected to join the squad for the Asia tour leg. The Emirates Cup provides vital final preparation at home before the Premier League kick-off.
Strategic Vision
Arteta’s split-squad orientation is an advanced thinking pre-season philosophy. It identifies a balance between collective bonding and tactical time in Spain. It also recognizes the need for individual conditioning in London and for a few key players like Rice. Getting new signings up to speed while blooding exceptional young talent like Dowman, ensures Arsenal are being competitive now (with players to potentially depend on) while ensuring future competitiveness. As Arsenal continues to challenge in every competition, the attention to detail over this early phase of the season in seeing every single player, however, are as maximally conditioned as they can be, is significant for what they are trying to do in carving out those marginal gains that lead to success at the highest level. The increase in intensity in both London and Spain means there is little or no doubt about it, the 2025/26 season starts right now.
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