How Mikel Arteta sees Arsenal’s pre-season preparations so far

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·13 August 2026

How Mikel Arteta sees Arsenal’s pre-season preparations so far

Mikel Arteta is happy with the way Arsenal’s pre-season has gone so far as the team prepares to face Manchester City in the Community Shield this weekend.

Because many of their players were involved deep into the World Cup, several key stars returned late to prepare for the new season. However, Arteta still had enough players available to work with and prepare the squad for the campaign ahead.

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The Gunners have added to their squad after signing Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes, although they could make further additions in the coming weeks if top-class players become available.

Arsenal know they cannot simply sign any player, particularly because they already have a strong squad. Their preparations for the season have therefore been carried out with confidence as Arteta continues to work on ensuring his players are ready for competitive football.

The Gunners will also be keen to finish the summer transfer window with further additions if suitable opportunities arise. However, their immediate focus is on completing preparations for the Community Shield and beginning the season in strong condition.

Arteta Praises Arsenal Preparation

Arteta believes the club have achieved many of their objectives during pre-season despite the unusual circumstances created by the World Cup. The Arsenal manager has also identified areas where the team can improve before the competitive campaign begins.

Speaking to Arsenal Media, Arteta said: “I think we were able to tick a lot of boxes, with the circumstances of the World Cup and the number of players that we had abroad. It has brought some good strengths, but there are a lot of lessons to take, and we’re going to be ready for Sunday.”

The manager’s comments suggest Arsenal have made good progress during their preparations. Although several important players returned later than expected, Arteta believes the squad has still had a productive pre-season.

Arsenal can now turn their attention towards Manchester City and the Community Shield. The match will provide another opportunity for Arteta to assess his squad before the new season begins, while the Gunners will hope their preparation allows them to start the campaign positively.

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