Arsenal are in talks to face Borussia Dortmund and Cesc Fabregas' Como in two pre-season friendlies this summer
18:03, 23 Jun 2026
Cesc Fabregas is set to make a long-awaited return to the Emirates Stadium
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Cesc Fabregas is set to make a long-awaited return to the Emirates Stadium(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal are in talks to organise two pre-season friendlies against Borussia Dortmund and Como ahead of the new 2026/27 Premier League campaign. The Gunners, unlike their London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, are not conducting a lengthy pre-season tour on another continent this year.
football.london understands that while the regular pre-season tour is set to return in 2027, with North America believed to be the leading candidate after a three-year absence, games will be closer to home this year.
The Gunners are due to play Real Betis in Dublin on August 5 before returning to London. They will play Manchester City in the FA Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August.
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Dortmund finished second in last season’s Bundesliga championship, finishing 16 points behind Bayern Munich. They reached the play-off stage of the UEFA Champions League but were knocked out by Atalanta after a shock 4-1 away defeat, following the 2-0 win at home.
Como, meanwhile, under former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, managed to qualify for the Champions League after finishing fourth in Serie A. The club’s best ever result in their history.
Fabregas has already returned to the Emirates since his departure for Barcelona in 2011. He joined Chelsea in 2014, where he spent five years and received some boos from the Arsenal faithful.
If the friendlies are agreed, it will be interesting to see what type of response he would get upon a managerial attendance in North London.
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Yet to be officially scheduled, the gap between the trip to Dublin and the Community Shield appears the likeliest scenario.
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