Arsenal prepares for pre-season opener against Girona after MK Dons win
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 31, 2026, 7:00 PM
Last updated Jul 31, 2026
Arsenal resumes its pre-season schedule with a match against Girona on Saturday evening, following a 3-0 victory over MK Dons in a training-ground friendly. As the Premier League champions, Arsenal seeks to maintain its title defense amid the challenge of doing so, with no club successfully retaining the title since Manchester United's streak from 2007 to 2009. Mikel Arteta faces the task of managing a squad that may be fatigued from past successes, highlighting the difficulties that come with defending the English crown.
- •Arsenal won a training match 3-0 against MK Dons last weekend.
- •The team starts pre-season against Girona on Saturday evening.
- •Only Manchester City has retained the Premier League title recently.
- •Mikel Arteta must navigate squad fitness and morale as defending champions.
- 7:00 PMThe Guardian Sport — Arsenal’s next step: title defence may hinge on keeping a drained squad fit
"Adding to a capable team is not easy, while the club may not dare to shatter the wage structure for Vinícius Junior After beating MK Dons 3-0 in a training-ground friendly last weekend, Arsenal truly begin their pre-season programme against Girona on Saturday evening. It marks a return to action for the Premier League champions, who will want to show their success last season was not a one-off. Retaining the English title is incredibly difficult if you are not Manchester City. No other club has done it since Manchester United won three in succession from 2007 to 2009. Chelsea have done it once, Liverpool have not managed it for more than 40 years, and it is the best part of a century since Arsenal retained the crown. Mikel Arteta faces a sizeable challenge. Continue reading...
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