The Arsenal squad are braced for a hectic summer between the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons, which has forced the club to consider their pre-season plans.
The focus is very much on the now at Arsenal, who are still fighting for the quadruple.
At the top of Mikel Arteta’s list of priorities comes winning the Premier League title, which every player is strongly focused on; however, in the back of their minds will be the World Cup.
Representing your country at the World Cup is the greatest honour for the majority of the Arsenal squad, but what will happen back in North London while Arteta’s stars head off on duty?
Who is going to the World Cup and who is being left at home?
Arsenal consider pre-season change due to the World Cup
Usually, Arsenal go on tour far from North London, and Europe at that, most recently visiting Asia during the summer of 2025.
The Gunners also have the option to visit the United States at Stan Kroenke’s facilities in Los Angeles.
This year, things are anticipated to be different because of the World Cup, as the period to prepare is slim.
As reported by journalist Tom Canton of Football London, Arsenal are aiming to plan pre-season action closer to London than usual.
The motive is that there are only 33 days between the end of the World Cup and the 2026/27 Premier League kick-off.
It’s already noted to be the latest start of a Premier League season ever, with every club assessing how to put together suitable pre-season plans while balancing player returns from the World Cup.
Football London’s report reveals that matches in Europe are under consideration, with Dublin among the cities under discussion.
Nothing has been agreed yet, but the planning is underway, in what is set to be a testing summer for Arteta in terms of managing player rest and preparation for the new season.
World Cup presents a dilemma for Mikel Arteta
The season is already set to commence uncharacteristically late, and those 33 days between the Premier League starting and the World Cup final could be a problem for Arteta.
If the 2024 European Championships are anything to go by, then the Arsenal manager might suffer a conflict of emotion in the summer, as Spain could reach the World Cup final.
Prove me wrong: Eberechi Eze will not make England’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Seeing his country in the final would be great for Arteta, but simultaneously, it could leave Arsenal without David Raya, Martin Zubimendi and possibly Mikel Merino, if he is fit for the World Cup.
It’s not only Spain that the Gunners will be wary of, but England and France too, with key players having the potential to go all the way on the biggest stage of them all.
It’ll be interesting to see how Arsenal plot to plan around the summer with the World Cup in mind, with talks already underway.
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