Mikel Arteta has confirmed the Arsenal squad that will travel to the United States for their pre-season tour, which includes matches against Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Liverpool.
The tour marks the third consecutive summer that the Gunners will be heading to the States, with Arteta viewing these trips as crucial in building team spirit and momentum ahead of the new season.
However, this year’s tour will be slightly different due to the European Championships and Copa America taking place. Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and David Raya, who all reached the finals of their respective tournaments, will not be part of the initial traveling party, but will join up with the squad when they return to the UK.
In contrast, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz will join the squad from July 25 after their participation in the tournaments.
Some players have made their return from summer holidays and will travel with the squad. These include Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho, Jakub Kiwior, and Leandro Trossard.
Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, and Eddie Nketiah are also part of the initial traveling party, despite being subject to transfer speculation. Youths Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Ayden Heaven have been called up to the senior group for the first time.
New signing Tommy Setford will also make his debut trip with Arsenal just days after joining from Ajax. The young goalkeeper could potentially see some playing time with neither Ramsdale nor Raya present.
On the other hand, Charlie Patino and Takehiro Tomiyasu will not make the trip due to loan and injury issues respectively. Kieran Tierney is also missing out due to a hamstring injury.
Arsenal’s US tour squad
Goalkeepers: Karl Hein, Tommy Setford, Lucas Nygaard, Alexei Rojas
Defenders: Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber, Josh Nichols, Jakub Kiwior, Ayden Heaven, Omar Rekik
Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Michal Rosiak, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira, Ethan Nwaneri, Salah–Eddine Oulad M’Hand, Jimi Gower
Forwards: Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson, Charles Sagoe Jr, Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah
