Arsenal kicked off pre-season with a behind-closed-doors win over MK Dons on Saturday, with new signing Christos Tzolis providing an assist in the 3-0 result.
Mikel Arteta in training with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal on Twitter)
Photo via Arsenal on Twitter
Following reports earlier in the week that Arsenal would play a pre-season friendly this weekend behind closed doors, the club have confirmed the Gunners’ first team took on MK Dons in a game at their London Colney training ground on Saturday.
New signing Christos Tzolis made his unofficial first start for the Gunners, in a lineup made up largely of senior players, with the exception of defenders Louie Copley and Marli Salmon, and young forward talent Max Dowman.
That lineup included returning loanees Ethan Nwaneri and Reiss Nelson, and Nelson linked up well with Tzolis in the early stages.
Reiss Nelson and Riccardo Calafiori during Arsenal pre-season (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
Tzolis fed Nelson for an early chance well saved in the first minute, before the same combination led to Nelson scoring after 10 minutes for 1-0 and the Greek international’s first assist in Arsenal colours.
Nwaneri then netted Arsenal’s second for 2-0, scoring after a set-piece routine.
The Gunners made a lot of half-time changes, effectively playing a youth team in the second half. But Illan Meslier came on for his own unofficial debut in the 59th minute, and he maintained the clean sheet until the end of the match.
The only further goal was scored by Ceadach O’Neill, who finished a chipped pass from Demiane Agustien for 3-0.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Ceadach O'Neill of Arsenal looks on during the FA Youth Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Joie Stadium on January 16, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
Notably, the team did not include Ben White (only recently returned to training), Jurrien Timber (injured), Fabio Vieira, or Christian Norgaard (both linked with summer transfers).
Arsenal will now prepare to head off to Spain on Sunday for a training camp, before playing their first public friendly against Girona next weekend.
Arsenal lineup vs MK Dons
First half
Arrizabalaga, Copley, Mosquera, Salmon, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Nelson, Dowman, Tzolis, Jesus
Second half
Arrizabalaga, Ogunnaike, Salmon, Clarke, Copley, Ibrahim, Agustien, O’Neill, Harriman-Annous, Kabia, Mooney
Substitutes
Meslier (for Arrizabalaga, 59), Julienne (for Salmon, 59), Washington (for Copley, 59)
Full Arsenal pre-season schedule
July 25th – Arsenal 3-0 MK Dons
August 1st, 19:00 – Girona vs Arsenal – Estadi Montilivi, Girona
August 5th, 19:30 – Arsenal vs Real Betis – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
August 9th – Arsenal vs Dortmund– Emirates Stadium, London
August 12th – Arsenal vs Como – Emirates Stadium, London
August 16th, 15:00 – Arsenal vs Manchester City – Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Times in BST
A general view of the exterior of the Principality Stadium prior to the Quilter Nations Series 2025 rugby international match between Wales and South Africa at Principality Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
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