The summer transfer window is well underway, and now UEFA Euro 2024 and Copa América are over, attention returns to club football. Preparation for next season have begun with transfer incomings and outgoings as managers shape their squads anew, and pre-season matches and tours lined-up.
Arsenal’s U-21s have already played two matches, winning 4-2 away against Boreham Wood on 13th July and losing 1-2 against Enfield Town at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium on 16th July. They play Rapid Vienna next, followed by Bishop’s Stortford, on the 27th and 31st respectively.
The senior squad fly out to the United States—something which has become something of a tradition for Arsenal in recent years—where they will play three matches, all against fellow Premier League clubs.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth | Dignity Health Sports Park, Los Angeles CA
Local Time: 19:30 PDT - Wednesday, 24th July
Arsenal vs Manchester United | Sofi Stadium, Los Angeles CA
Local Time: 17:00 PDT - Saturday, 27th July
Arsenal vs Liverpool | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Local Time: 19:30 EDT - Wednesday, 31st July
Arsenal return to England to play two matches at home turf against European opposition, both clubs which feature former Gunners in their squads: Granit Xhaka at Leverkusen, though he might still be on holiday after reaching the quarter-finals at Euro 2024, and Alexandre Lacazette at Lyon.
Arsenal vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen | Emirates Stadium, London
Local Time: 18:00 GMT - Wednesday, 7th August
Arsenal vs Olympique Lyonnais | Emirates Stadium, London
Local Time: 14:00 GMT - Sunday, 11th August
It will be a great opportunity for Mikel Arteta to render the squad match-fit once again, embed new signings and get them familiar with Arsenal’s tactics, and give the club’s youngsters some time playing with the first-team squad before the Premier League season begins on 17th August at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Academy players such as Charlie Patino, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ayden Heaven, and Zane Monlouis all trained with the senior team recently and were not included for the U21 match against Enfield Town, which could indicate Arteta wants them involved on the United States tour and hopefully in the first-team during next season.