Arsenal fans, get ready! the Gunners are gearing up for a massive 2025/26 Premier League season. Mikel Arteta‘s Arsenal will host two huge friendlies at the Emirates Stadium, giving us a sneak peek of the squad before the real action begins.
Arsenal to battle La Liga giants at Emirates Stadium
Arsenal will welcome Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal to the Emirates Stadium this August. As a result, these matches mark the return of the prestigious Emirates Cup. the Gunners will face Athletic Bilbao around August 9–10, promising a thrilling encounter.
Following that, a midweek clash with Villarreal is expected around August 12 or 13. Furthermore, these games are crucial for Mikel Arteta’s squad to fine-tune their tactics and build momentum. Consequently, it is a chance for Gooners to see the team in action before the Premier League opener.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal aiming for pre-season perfection
These two friendlies are designed to sharpen Arsenal’s readiness and boost fan engagement. Athletic Bilbao, a strong La Liga team, will offer a serious challenge. The squad finished fifth in La Liga last season and will present a solid test for the Gunners.
Villarreal, known for their tactical prowess under manager Marcelino, will provide another stern test. As a result, it will allow Arteta to experiment and solidify his game plan. These matches balance performance readiness with the desire to connect with the home fans.
The Emirates Cup games follow Arsenal’s Asia tour, featuring matches against AC Milan and Newcastle United in Singapore on July 23 and 27, respectively. Furthermore, a North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong on July 31 adds even more spice to the pre-season schedule. Therefore, this pre-season will be tough.
The Emirates Cup showdowns act as the final tune-ups before Arsenal face Manchester United. As a result, the Premier League opener at Old Trafford on August 17 will be a huge test. Arsenal defeated Lyon 2–0 and Bayer Leverkusen 4–1 in last summer’s Emirates Cup. Consequently, expectations are high for this year’s tournament.
There is also unsettling news coming out of the club. Arsenal could lose a world-class talent for free next summer. These reports follow suggestions that contract talks are at a delicate stage for this unnamed player.
The club has also confirmed that Arsenal have terminated the contract of a first-team player by mutual consent. The player has struggled with injuries and has not been able to feature for the squad regularly.
Arsenal are also in negotiations with the representatives of the injured player. Both parties are exploring the options regarding a mutual termination of his contract.
What’s next
Arsenal’s pre-season is shaping up to be intense and exciting. Furthermore, these high-profile friendlies at the Emirates offer a fantastic opportunity for Mikel Arteta to assess his squad. Therefore, he can prepare them for a demanding Premier League campaign. We can’t wait to see the team back in action!
