Arsenal's plans for the coming preseason are starting to take shape. Many within the club feel as though the smoothness of last year's preparation for the season played a key part in fostering the positive atmosphere that help springboard the Gunners' unexpected title charge. There is a hope that the trick can be repeated this time around.
Players are set to return to London Colney for pre-season in the first week of July before heading out to Germany for a training camp at Adidas HQ. They will then take on FC Nurnberg in a friendly at Max-Morlock Stadion before travelling to the USA.
While in the States Arsenal will play an MLS all-stars team before travelling to New York to take on Manchester United and then ending their tour with a match against Barcelona in LA. They will then return to London and take on Monaco in the Emirates Cup before facing Manchester City at Wembley in the Community Shield.
Mikel Arteta has been handed a boost as he gears up for this crucial period of the season with positive injury news on four of his first-team stars. Gabriel Martinelli, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mohamed Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all set to be involved in Arsenal's preseason campaign football.london understands.
The group all missed the end of last season as the Gunners ultimately fell at the final hurdle in their unexpected bid to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title. Now though, it is thought that all four should be available as Mikel Arteta prepares to close the gap to his former side when his squad return to London Colney next month.
Zinchenko's injury was only thought to be a minor calf issue, but due to its lateness in the season, it ruled him out for the campaign. Gabriel Martinelli meanwhile picked up an ankle injury after being on the receiving end of a poor tackle from Moises Caicedo in May's 3-0 defeat to Brighton, but should be fit to return next month.
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Elneny meanwhile is a longer-term absentee having been ruled out since January with a knee injury sustained in training. Despite his injury, Arsenal took up the option to extend the Egyptian international's contract in February.
Perhaps the most positive news comes with regard to Tomiyasu who was ruled out for the season after suffering a knee injury during Arsenal's Europa League second-leg defeat to Sporting CP. The Japan international was in the gym during the final few weeks of the season as he progressed in his recovery and is expected to play a part in pre-season.
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