Arsenal pre-season schedule: Who are they playing? Can I watch? Will Noni Madueke make his full debut?

As Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta works around the clock in the transfer window, Mikel Arteta's crop are being put through their paces in another gruelling pre-season.

A positive preliminary period is of the utmost importance to the Gunners, who are more desperate than ever to shake off the label of Premier League also-rans following three consecutive silver medals in the top flight.

Like many of their rivals, Arsenal travelled halfway across the world to test their mettle in taxing temperatures, before closing out the friendly period with their annual Emirates Cup fixture.

Here, Sports Mole provides everything you need to know about Arsenal's pre-season schedule, including details on their opponents, how to tune in to the matches and whether any of their new signings could be involved.

Who are Arsenal playing in pre-season?

Rather than head off to the USA again - as they have done for the past few years - Arsenal jetted off to Asia for this summer's pre-season tour, playing two fixtures in Singapore and one in Hong Kong.

Before boarding their flight to the East, however, the team enjoyed a week-long training camp in the Spanish resort of La Manga - located near Murcia - although they did not play any matches there.

After landing in Singapore, the Gunners' first official pre-season game came against Italian giants AC Milan, whom they faced at the National Stadium in Kallang on July 23 at 12.30pm UK time (19.30 local time).

In front of just over 20,000 spectators, Arsenal commenced their tour of Asia with a 1-0 triumph over the Rossoneri thanks to a second-half Bukayo Saka goal, although they suffered a 6-5 penalty-shootout loss to the Italian giants after the full-time whistle.

Four days later, on July 27, Arteta's men renewed hostilities with Newcastle United at the same venue - emerging 3-2 victors - before embarking on a trip to Hong Kong for a final blockbuster fixture on tour.

The less said about that sojourn the better, though, as Arsenal were slain 1-0 by North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on July 31, where an astonishing Pape Sarr lob from 40 yards did the damage.

Arsenal's return to the Emirates turf was scuppered by Villarreal as the Gunners were handed a disappointing 3-2 defeat - their second consecutive loss - and they will now prepare for their annual Emirates Cup outing as they face Nico Williams's Athletic Bilbao at the same venue on August 9.

Arsenal 2025-26 pre-season schedule:

July 23: Arsenal 1-0 AC Milan (12.30pm BST | National Stadium, Singapore)

July 27: Arsenal 3-2 Newcastle United (12.30pm BST | National Stadium, Singapore)

July 31: Arsenal 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur (11.30am BST | Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong)

August 6: Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal (6pm BST | Emirates Stadium)

August 9 Arsenal 3-0 Athletic Bilbao (5pm BST | Emirates Stadium)

Can I watch Arsenal's pre-season friendlies?

Arsenal's pre-season friendlies can be streamed on the official Arsenal website and the Arsenal app on a pay-per-view basis.

As of July 31, fans can pay £14.99 to receive access to all of the Gunners' matches this summer, including the Emirates Cup against Athletic Bilbao.

Alternatively, the fixtures as a standalone are available for £4.99 as part of an early bird offer, but the price will rise to £6.99 on the day of the match.

Will Noni Madueke play in Arsenal's pre-season friendlies?

No fewer than five new Arsenal signings made their Gunners debuts in Asia, as Kepa Arrizabalaga, Viktor Gyokeres, Cristhian Mosquera, David Raya and Martin Zubimendi all pulled on the famous red and white kit for the first time.

Gyokeres and Mosquera were both involved in the dying embers of the loss to Spurs in Hong Kong, but the entire time the Gunners were staying in the Far East, ex-Chelsea winger Noni Madueke was watching from home.

The England international had been granted additional time off after helping the Blues win the Club World Cup, but he was already fit and raring to go as soon as he put pen to paper.

Madueke did make his unofficial debut for Arsenal when Villarreal visited the Emirates on August 6, coming off the bench for the final 13 minutes, and the winger could make his first start for the club in the Emirates Cup on August 9, where he could win a trophy on his maiden Gunners start.