Five Arsenal Stars Fighting to Prove Their Worth This Preseason

Arsenal don't require a major overhaul this summer, but the battle for starting spots is only set to intensify, and a number of players must prove their value during preseason.

The Gunners had a strong presence at the World Cup, so many of their players will trickle back to London Colney gradually. The three title winners—David Raya, Mikel Merino, and Martín Zubimendi—will also be granted extended rest periods.

In an effort to avoid potential burnout following a grueling 2025–26 season and the subsequent tournament, Arsenal have opted against embarking on a preseason tour this summer. Instead, they'll remain close to home as they look to get their squad ready for yet another demanding campaign.

High-profile signings have yet to materialize, but they're anticipated, and any new arrivals will look to disrupt the existing pecking order. With that in mind, five players in particular must put their heads down during preseason and demonstrate their importance.

Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal's left-wing situation is in an uncertain state. It appears Club Brugge's Christos Tzolis is on his way in to replace Leandro Trossard, but beyond that, the picture remains unclear.

There's also a possibility that Gabriel Martinelli departs the club. The Brazilian international has never truly built on his breakthrough 2022–23 campaign, with the majority of his contributions last season coming in the domestic cup competitions.

Arsenal aren't actively looking to offload Martinelli, however, and he'll soon report for preseason ahead of the Community Shield and the Premier League title defense.

Martinelli delivered one standout moment for Brazil at the World Cup, and Carlo Ancelotti's deployment of him in a more central striking role should give Mikel Arteta something to consider. The position Martinelli occupies during preseason could be telling, with many believing his days as a wide touchline player may be numbered.

Martín Zubimendi

Martín Zubimendi will return to north London as a world champion, and Arsenal will have been delighted that Rodri recaptured his 2024 Ballon d'Or-winning form over the summer, meaning Zubimendi was used only in a limited capacity.

The Gunners moved swiftly to secure the Spaniard last summer, effectively replacing both Jorginho and Thomas Partey in a single move. He began the season impressively, ranking among the standout signings of the transfer window.

However, the demands of Premier League football eventually caught up with the long-serving Real Sociedad midfielder, who appeared physically exhausted by the time Arsenal were pushing for the title in the decisive final stretch. Zubimendi started just one of the Gunners' last four Premier League matches—though he did feature in all 38, to his credit—and was also named among the substitutes for the second leg of their Champions League semifinal against Atlético Madrid, as well as the final itself.

While Zubimendi undoubtedly enhanced Arsenal's midfield throughout much of his debut season, the club's reported interest in Bruno Guimarães should be a cause for concern for the Spanish international. There's a real risk of him being squeezed out by a deepening squad, with the Brazilian likely to eat into his playing time should he make the move to the Premier League champions.

Ethan Nwaneri

Max Dowman may be Arsenal's next great prospect, but for a time it seemed Ethan Nwaneri would be the next star to emerge from Hale End and make his mark in the first team.

Nwaneri has shown flashes of his ability under Arteta, but he failed to build on that momentum last season and instead headed to Marseille on loan in January.

Now back in north London, all options are reportedly on the table for the young left-footed creator. A strong preseason could earn him a more significant role with the champions in 2026–27. Alternatively, Arsenal might consider a permanent sale if the right offer arrives, or they could send the 19-year-old out on loan once more.

The coming weeks are critical for Nwaneri, who has the raw ability to become something truly special for the Gunners.

Riccardo Calafiori

Riccardo Calafiori was displaced as Arsenal's first-choice left back by Piero Hincapié last season, and the Italian will be eager to reclaim his starting berth this summer.

Unlike Hincapié, Calafiori was not involved in the World Cup and enters preseason in full fitness. The Italian has dealt with a series of injury problems since arriving at the club two summers ago, including a muscle injury that kept him sidelined for a month last season.

He possesses a rare profile that Arteta could potentially get more out of, with the more robust but less dynamic Hincapié unable to replicate Calafiori's attacking flair and technical quality.

The Ecuadorian may need time to recover from his exertions this summer, which opens the door for Calafiori to string together a series of strong preseason performances and re-establish himself as Arsenal's first-choice left back by the time the Premier League season kicks off.

Martin Ødegaard

Some fans have voiced a desire for Arsenal to part ways with their captain. Martin Ødegaard undeniably struggled through the 2025–26 campaign, and the Gunners' title triumph despite a below-par season from the Norwegian suggests Arteta's side may have moved past their reliance on him.

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Ødegaard was once the irresistible driving force of Arsenal, but the Norwegian international is now valued more for his work without the ball than his contributions with it. He has become hesitant and wasteful in the final third, frequently taking one touch too many or failing to shoot at the right moment.

Arteta has always held him in high regard and continues to do so, meaning his future at the club doesn't appear to be under serious threat. Nevertheless, Ødegaard would benefit greatly from a strong preseason, once he returns from his post-World Cup break, to reassure supporters that he still has a meaningful role to play in this team following their title triumph.