Arsenal pre-season plans for 2026 don suffer big shake-up because of World Cup wey go take place for North America. Players wey go participate for the tournament go return for different times, depending on how far their country go reach. The club don already announce two friendly matches, but plenty things still dey uncertain.
David Raya (Spain), Gabriel (Brazil), William Saliba (France), Piero Hincapie (Ecuador), Martin Zubimendi (Spain), Declan Rice (England), Mikel Merino (Spain), Martin Odegaard (Norway), Eberechi Eze (England), Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil), Noni Madueke (England), Bukayo Saka (England), Kai Havertz (Germany) and Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden) all go feature for the World Cup. Dem go join pre-season later.
For players wey no dey part of World Cup, dem don already start holiday and go report back to Sobha Realty Training Centre for early July. Dis group include Kepa Arrizabalaga, Tommy Setford, Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Christian Norgaard and Gabriel Jesus. Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson and Ethan Nwaneri wey don finish loan moves go also join pre-season.
For past two summers, some Arsenal players bin fly to Spain for optional training camp for Marbella. Similar trip fit happen again dis year, led by Mikel Arteta and im coaching staff. For 2024, the camp bin dey for players wey no play for Euro 2024 or Copa America. But whether dis year go include friendly match or just training, no decision don reach.
Given Arsenal current pre-season fixtures and World Cup schedule, the Spain trip fit delay to end of July instead of start. The first pre-season match go be on Wednesday, August 5 against Real Betis for Dublin, at Aviva Stadium. Dis go be Arsenal first trip to Republic of Ireland since August 2018.
Chief Executive Officer, Richard Garlick, talk say: “We’re all excited to be coming back to Dublin in August. We have incredible support in the Republic of Ireland and we’re looking forward to playing a competitive pre-season match at the Aviva Stadium. Facing Real Betis will provide high-quality opposition and vital preparation ahead of the new season.”
The only other confirmed fixture na Community Shield against Manchester City on Sunday, August 16 at Cardiff Principality Stadium. Premier League champions and FA Cup winners go face each other before new campaign. More fixtures expected, but dates and opponents no clear yet.
For statement last week, club talk: “Further details of our pre-season schedule for the 2026/27 campaign will be announced in due course.” No word on whether Emirates Cup go return for 2026, though 2025 edition against Athletic Club no bin confirm until early July.
Looking ahead, possible additional fixture on August 8 or 9. For now, Arsenal fans get two confirmed matches: vs Real Betis on August 5 at Aviva Stadium (7:30pm UK time) and vs Manchester City on August 16 at Principality Stadium (3pm UK time).
