Three players added to Arsenal squad as Mikel Arteta handed pre-season boost

They then take on Spanish side Girona FC on August 1. The game could see all three players make their comeback to action after reuniting with the squad.

Gyokeres, Havertz and Hincapie all represented Sweden, Germany and Ecuador in this summer’s World Cup in North America. All three nations exited the tournament at the round of 32 stage.

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After taking a break following the competition, the trio have re-joined their Arsenal teammates as the club steps up their pre-season preparations. The journey to Spain comes after a behind-closed-doors friendly against MK Dons.

The Gunners came out as 3-0 winners over the League One side at the Sobha Reality Training Centre. Reiss Nelson, Ethan Nwaneri and Ceadach O’Neil were on the scoresheet.

Following the friendly against Girona next weekend, Arsenal will then fly out to Dublin to take on Real Betis at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, August 5. They will then play Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, August 9.

Another home game against Como 1907 on Wednesday, August 12, will follow. Arsenal will then face Manchester City in the Community Shield at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday, August 16.

The pre-season schedule will see other key members of the Arsenal squad return in stages, depending on how far they got in the World Cup. Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes of Brazil are likely to be the next to return, having made it to the last 16 of the competition.

Martin Odegaard (Norway) made it to the quarter-final, so he should be among the next to report back.. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze (England) as well as William Saliba (France), fell at the semi-final hurdle - although the latter has suffered an injury.

They are likely to return at the same time as winners David Raya, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino.

Arsenal are preparing to defend their Premier League title. They start their season on Friday, August 21, with a home game against newly-promoted Coventry City.