Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
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With the 2024–25 campaign now concluded, Arsenal have turned their focus toward planning and preparation for a crucial summer—headlined by their upcoming pre-season tour to Asia.
The Gunners are scheduled to fly out for their Asian tour on July 19, marking the next major milestone in the club’s build-up to the new season. Before then, players and staff will report back to the Sobha Realty Training Centre for initial fitness checks and training sessions. The pre-season tour is expected to feature high-profile friendly matches and serve as a vital opportunity for Mikel Arteta to reshape his squad following another trophyless season.
While Arsenal will not be involved in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer, other traditional fixtures such as a pre-tour training camp in Nurnberg and the Emirates Cup have yet to be confirmed. The club will also await the release of the 2025–26 Premier League fixture list, which is set to be announced on June 18 at 9am UK time, with the new season officially kicking off on August 15.
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Speaking after the final match of the season against Southampton, Mikel Arteta confirmed that key internal meetings are taking place this week to finalise summer plans. “Yeah, with the coaches, analyse everything… put all the plans together — they are almost done. Sit down with them, finalise a few things, decide timings and go for it,” Arteta said when asked about discussions with Josh Kroenke and new sporting director Andrea Berta.
Arsenal
Despite the need for rest after a demanding campaign, Arteta hinted at an early return for some players keen to maintain their fitness ahead of the tour. “The players are demanding it,” he said, revealing that a pre-preseason camp like last summer’s trip to Marbella is being considered once again. “They want to be in the best possible condition… We are really lucky because we have boys that want to spend the summer with their families and also want to be together.”
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Players will receive a minimum of three weeks’ break, though those not involved in international fixtures — such as Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Kai Havertz — may be granted additional time off. Several players, including Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori, and Reiss Nelson, are working on recovery from injury and hope to be fit in time for pre-season. Others, like Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu, remain long-term absentees and may not return until later in the year.
In terms of squad changes, Jorginho and Kieran Tierney are expected to leave upon the expiration of their contracts, while talks over a renewal for Thomas Partey are said to be progressing positively.
With preparations ramping up, this summer’s pre-season tour offers Arsenal a chance to regroup, reassess, and recharge — all with the hope of launching a stronger title challenge when the new campaign begins in August.
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