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Arsenal 2026 Preseason: Schedule, Results, and Key Details for the Gunners

After clinching a historic Premier League title last season, Arsenal are turning their focus toward the upcoming 2026/27 campaign. The squad hopes to come back refreshed despite many players having represented their countries in the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup. This means several key team members will join preseason training at different times as they recover and prepare.

The previous season demanded a lot, with Arsenal not only winning the Premier League but also reaching the Champions League final. The heavy workload caused some injuries that lingered into the World Cup, leaving certain players less than fully fit.

Preseason Matchups and Results

  • Girona (Win 4-1): August 1, Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, Girona, Spain, 2 p.m. ET
  • Real Betis: August 5, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, 2:30 p.m. ET
  • Borussia Dortmund: August 9, Emirates Stadium, London, England, 9 a.m. ET
  • Como: August 12, Emirates Stadium, London, England, 2:30 p.m. ET

Arsenal kicks off preseason on the road against Girona, a team recently relegated to Spain's Segunda Division after a swift fall from European competition. The next match takes place just days later in Dublin versus Real Betis. Following these, the Gunners return home for clashes with Borussia Dortmund and Como, who will later face Liverpool at Anfield.

Return of World Cup Players

Several Arsenal stars played deep into the World Cup and will gradually rejoin preseason sessions. Some are nursing injuries from the tournament or aggravated issues from last season.

  • William Saliba faces extended downtime due to a worsening back injury sustained while playing for France, forcing an early substitution in the semifinal loss to Spain.
  • Declan Rice is managing a hamstring nerve problem dating back months, possibly sidelining him temporarily to allow recovery.
  • Bukayo Saka appeared below peak fitness for England but denies any injury concerns; he may still need extra rest.

All Arsenal players at the World Cup reached at least the Round of 32, entitling them to a minimum 21-day break after elimination. Some like Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, and Piero Hincapie exited earlier and should return by late July. Players such as Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli, whose Brazil team went out in the Round of 16, might be back by early August.

Martin Odegaard helped Norway reach the quarterfinals, so he could be ready by mid-August but might need some time to regain full match fitness. Those who made semifinals, including Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, could return closer to late August. The World Cup winners David Raya, Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino may not rejoin until late August or early September, delaying their start to the league season.

Start of the Premier League Season

Arsenal's 2026/27 campaign begins with the FA Community Shield on Sunday, August 16, where they face Manchester City, last season's FA Cup winners. Their league defense kicks off at home against promoted Coventry City on Friday, August 21.

The first five Premier League fixtures for Arsenal are:

  • August 21: Coventry City (Home)
  • August 31: Aston Villa (Away)
  • September 6: Chelsea (Home)
  • September 12: Sunderland (Away)
  • September 19: Brighton (Away)

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