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Arsenal pre-season## football.london take a look at what a dream first week could look like for the Gunners as Arsenal return for pre-season
11:25, 21 Jul 2026
Arsenal have now returned for pre-season officially, while many players remain on holiday after their participation at the World Cup. Mikel Arteta had spent time with some players last week in something of a pre-pre-season camp in Marbella, which has become something of an annual trip.
But now the serious stuff begins ahead of what will be a first title defence in 22 years. It is far longer since the club successfully achieved the defence of a title, where fans will know you have to go back around 90 years to have witnessed it.
In this first week, however, so much can still happen. With that said, football.london takes a look at what a dream week in the world of Arsenal pre-season could look like.
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Triple injury boost
Jurrien Timber and Ben White returned to the club, and both provided positive updates on their situations.
"Knee's all good,” White said when asked for an update. "Started training back with the team last week"
While it is understood that Timber underwent a small operation around a month ago to aid with recovery. And when asked what his current status was, he said: “Getting there slowly, trying hard, rehabbing during the summer, hopefully back soon.”
If both can continue this positive recovery, Arsenal could be in a very good position. Then there’s William Saliba, who has since left the World Cup after France’s elimination.
Arsenal are set to undertake their own tests and assessment of the player before making a decision on the next steps regarding his situation. While reports in France claimed the player was ‘likely’ to undergo surgery, the club have no made any commitments until they’ve made their own mind on what needs to happen in the best interests of the player and the club.
Transfer breakthrough
It’s not been the rosiest of times for Arsenal in the transfer market after Chelsea and Manchester City have swooped in and taken Morgan Rogers and Jeremy Monga despite the Gunners’ own interest. Christos Tzolis is, however, expected to be announced this week as an Arsenal player, and he will then join the group for pre-season.
But hopefully there can be movement on other targets, particular the left wing alternative to Rogers. But Bruno Guimaraes is most in focus with hope a compromise can be found on a price with Newcastle United but for now the clubs sit far apart in their valuations.
Behind-closed-doors friendly
Arsenal are due to play a behind-closed-doors friendly before heading back to Spain for the start of their official pre-season schedule of matches, football.london reported first on last week. Whether that friendly occurs this week, or next, when more players are hoped to be making their way back to the team, remains to be seen.
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But the game will give the opportunity for some players to start to gain favour with Mikel Arteta, with some like Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman hoping for big campaigns with the club.
Tom Canton
Tom Canton
Tom Canton joined football.london as the Arsenal Fan Brand Writer and Presenter before becoming a permanent Arsenal Reporter in 2025. Tom produces plenty of analytical content in addition to breaking stories and is a regular attendee at matches and press conferences. Can also be found on YouTube @TheGoonerTalkTV
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Arsenal pre-season
Mikel Arteta
Summer Transfer Window
Arsenal injury news
Ben White
Jurrien Timber