Reports suggest Arsenal will begin preparations later than several domestic rivals and remain in Europe instead of travelling to Asia, the United States or the Southern Hemisphere. The shortened schedule prioritises controlled training time and reduces the logistical demands of a major tour.
The proposed friendly programme is:
The final match remains unconfirmed. However, the sequence would give Mikel Arteta a clear progression from a Spanish opener to increasingly demanding tests against established European opposition.
The report also places Arsenal against Manchester City in the Community Shield in Cardiff on 16 August, only a week after the Dortmund meeting. Their reported Premier League opener would then follow at home to newly promoted Coventry City on 21 August at 20:00 BST.
That calendar leaves limited time to turn individual fitness into collective rhythm. The late start may protect players returning from international duty, but it also reduces Arteta’s opportunities to test combinations before the first competitive weekend.
A European schedule can still provide useful tactical variety without the disruption of long-haul travel. Dortmund should offer the clearest examination of Arsenal’s defensive structure and buildup, while the possible Como fixture would give the squad one final chance to sharpen its shape.
The next storyline is confirmation: the remaining friendly, the availability of the returning World Cup players and the level of Arsenal’s performance in Cardiff will determine whether this restrained plan looks calculated or too cautious.