Bukayo Saka and David Raya have both cut their summer holidays short to return to Arsenal pre-season training earlier than expected.
Mikel Arteta welcomed the decision as his squad begins to come back together ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield against Manchester City.
Both players were involved deep into the World Cup and were originally among the Arsenal internationals not due back until 10 August.
ReadArsenal reported last month that Saka, Raya, Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke were all scheduled to receive extended breaks following their international commitments.
Saka and Raya, however, decided to report back ahead of schedule.
Arteta has confirmed that Saka and Raya have both cut their summer breaks short to return to Arsenal training earlier than expected 🤝
Ready to go again 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Fgj4W8DTDl
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 10, 2026
Speaking after Sunday’s 3-2 defeat against Borussia Dortmund, Arteta confirmed via Arsenal’s official website that both players had returned a little earlier than expected.
“Some of them, David and Bukayo, were back yesterday, a bit earlier than expected, which is great to see,” Arteta said.
The Arsenal manager added that he viewed their decision as “a really good sign”, with the remainder of the club’s returning internationals now also becoming available to begin their training programmes.
Their return comes at an important point in Arsenal pre-season.
Arteta has had to work without several senior players during a difficult run of friendlies, while injuries to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber have further reduced his options.
Saka’s return restores one of Arsenal’s most important attacking players, while Raya can begin rebuilding sharpness after his extended summer away.
Neither should need to be rushed immediately into significant minutes, but their decision to return early gives Arteta more time to integrate them before competitive football begins.
With Manchester City waiting in the Community Shield on Sunday, Arsenal’s squad is finally moving much closer to full strength.
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