A fresh challenge for the champions
Arsenal are gearing up to defend their Premier League crown, a milestone that has not been achieved in over twenty years.
The club’s recent World Cup exposure brought together fifteen players from nine different nations, including Spain, England, Brazil, Norway, Germany, Sweden, Ecuador, France and Belgium.
Among them, William Saliba returned from a back problem that kept him out of France’s clash with England, while Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka carried minor fitness concerns but still featured in the third‑place playoff.
World Cup participants are entitled to a three‑week hiatus, which meant Arsenal’s pre‑season campaign officially began on July 20 for those who were not engaged in the tournament.
The upcoming friendly schedule includes matches against Girona, Real Betis, Borussia Dortmund and Como, culminating in a Community Shield showdown with Manchester City at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Arsenal will open the season against Coventry City on August 21, marking the earliest Premier League start in recent memory.
Under the guidance of manager Mikel Arteta, the squad reads like a world tour, featuring Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, David Raya, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, Piero Hincapie, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Jesus, Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis‑Skelley, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Illan Meslier, Christian Norgaard, Max Dowman, Marli Salmon, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira.