Arsenal are in the early stages of their pre-season tour of Asia ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Gunners flew to Singapore for the first leg of the tour, where the North Londoners will face AC Milan on Wednesday and Newcastle United on Sunday.
Then, Arsenal will travel on to Hong Kong, where the first pre-season North London derby will be played, which will round off the two-week stay in Asia.
Though the tour gives Mikel Arteta the chance to assess his squad and some of Arsenal’s new signings, it’s understood that the boss has some reservations about the trip.
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Mikel Arteta wishes Arsenal’s pre-season tour was in America
Arsenal are in Singapore for the first time since 2018, with the tour of Asia differing from the Gunners’ plans over the previous four summers.
From 2021 to 2024, Arsenal spent part of pre-season in the United States, which is something that Arteta wishes was the case this year.
That’s the understanding of journalist James Olley, who told The Football Reporters podcast, powered by ESPN, that Arsenal would’ve preferred a return to America.
“He was in good spirits when we saw him today, but we’ve only been here 24 hours. I think they’d rather be in America,” Olley said of Arteta.
“They have American owners and a base in LA that really suits them. They have a set-up out there that is an hour outside of LA, which is a home from home for Arsenal.”
Olley went on to explain that Arsenal feel more suffocated in Asia than they do in the States, largely because of the facilities on offer to them thanks to Stan Kroenke.
“They like the fact it’s secluded; they feel they can crack on there. I think here it’s quite suffocating; it is a city, they’re staying in town, they can’t get away from it.
“I know that speaking to people at the club over the past few days, their schedule is crazy, a lot of media duties, it’s an intense period for them.”
Pre-season is a tough time for players physically, and mentally too, with the Gunners’ plans in Asia painted to be rather overwhelming for the squad.
Date and time of Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia fixtures
Around media duties and the hustle and bustle of city life, Arsenal will play three fixtures during their tour.
On Wednesday, Arsenal face AC Milan at the Singapore National Stadium, with kick-off coming at 12.30.
Then, at the same venue on Sunday 27th July, Arsenal will play Premier League rivals Newcastle with the same kick-off time.
On Thursday 31st July, Arsenal and Spurs will go head to head with a 12.30 kick-off in Hong Kong, with the fixture to be played at the Kai Tak Sports Park.
Arsenal are selling a Pre-Season Pass on their website for £9.99 to watch the three fixtures.
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