What to look out for on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia | OneFootball

Arsenal are gearing up for their long-awaited return to Asia, marking their first pre-season tour there since 2018.

Mikel Arteta’s side will face AC Milan and Newcastle United next week in Singapore, before taking on arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong at the end of the month.

The Gunners have spent the last three summers in the United States, but return to Asia after trips there in 2015 and 2018.

The pre-season tour offers fans a valuable first look at new signings, returning players from injury, and early insights into how the team will be set up ahead of a crucial campaign for Arsenal.

Here’s what we can look forward to for Arsenal’s pre-season tour…

New signings

Arsenal fans will get their first glimpse of a host of new players, with the recruitment team working diligently to ensure more new signings join the first team in Asia.

Kepa Arrizabalaga should get his first appearance between the sticks following his £5 million switch from Chelsea, while Christian Norgaard will feature after joining the club from Brentford.

Perhaps the biggest excitement is saved for Martin Zubimendi’s long anticipated debut, however. The 26-year-old midfielder arrives with a strong reputation, having impressed for both Real Sociedad and the Spanish national team, and is tipped to play a key role next season after signing following a protracted move to north London.

The Gunners are also hoping to complete the signing of Valencia defender Christhian Mosquera. It remains to be seen whether Viktor Gyokeres will join the squad on tour having yet to finalise a deal for the striker.

If Arsenal are able to wrap up the signing of Noni Madueke from Chelsea, this could be the first chance for fans to see the 23-year-old in red and white after leaving the Blues’ Club World Cup camp to complete a move to the Gunners. However, Arsenal might need to be careful with him given he featured heavily in the Club World Cup this summer and will need a rest.

Returning players

Gabriel is back involved in training following a hamstring injury that left him sidelined for the end of last season. The Brazilian centre-back was ruled out from April onwards and could return to action while in Asia.

Kai Havertz, meanwhile, made brief cameos in the final two matches of the season against Newcastle and Southampton after sustaining a hamstring injury during warm-weather training in Dubai. He will step up his return to full fitness when his side play in Asia having impressed boss Arteta in his attitude towards his recovery.

“I think he destroyed all the metrics that we had in the gym for the last 10 years,” Arteta said on Havertz’ during his recovery.

“Power, acceleration, muscle mass, the way that he has increased certain capacities in his body, his agility, he’s been incredible.”

David Raya did not initially join the squad at their training camp in La Manga, having been granted an extended break, but linked up with the team midway through their stay in Spain.

After his contributions to England’s triumphant U21 Euros campaign, Ethan Nwaneri was also allowed more time off, but will travel to Asia with the rest of the team, with the youngster close to committing his future to his boyhood team by signing a new long-term deal.

Declan Rice, who remained in England, followed an individual training programme instead of participating in the La Manga camp.

Meanwhile, Reiss Nelson was back training with the squad, returning from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since December 2024 but Fulham are keen on signing the winger on a permanent deal after his loan spell last season.

Youth prospects

Pre-season regularly provides a valuable platform for some of Hale End’s brightest prospects to train with the first team and gain crucial match experience.

Among them is 15-year-old Max Dowman, who is set to travel with the squad after impressing during first-team training last season. The teenager is widely regarded as one of the club’s most promising young talents.

Ismeal Kabia, Maldini Kacurri, Josh Nichols, Ife Ibrahim, Alexei Rojas, Mari Salmon, Harrison Dudziak, Andre Harriman-Annous, and Louie Copley joined Dowman as part of a large contingent of academy players who linked up with the senior squad in La Manga at the end of last week.

While not all of them are expected to travel to Asia, pre-season may offer a valuable opportunity for a select few to impress Arteta, who will be looking at whether they could follow in the footsteps of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri and impress at a senior level this season.