Academy to continue pre-season prep in Spain

Our under-21 and under-18 sides are heading to Spain for training camps as they continue their preparations for the 2023/24 campaign.

On Friday, Mehmet Ali’s team will play Villarreal under-21s at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia, as part of a packed pre-season schedule for our Young Gunners.

And the following week, after taking on Hitchin Town in pre-season action, Jack Wilshere’s side will have two matches at the same venue, firstly taking on Real Murcia’s youth team on Wednesday, July 26 before then facing Villarreal’s under-18s three days later.

Those games will hand valuable experience to our youngsters, who will be competing in the UEFA Youth League next term thanks to our senior side’s qualification for the Champions League. They’ll face the equivalent academy sides of the opponents Mikel Arteta’s team are drawn against in the senior competition.

Meanwhile, once our under-21s return to the UK they have four more friendlies to participate in before the league campaign kicks off.

Many will be involved as an Arsenal XI take on Boreham Wood at Meadow Park on Saturday, July 29, and then the following Tuesday they’ll head to Chelmsford City.

A behind-closed-doors friendly against Luton Town under-21s will then take place at London Colney on Saturday, August 5 before the pre-season campaign concludes with a game against Bishop’s Stortford.

Academy pre-season schedule

Friday, July 21

Villarreal U21s v Arsenal U21s

Pinatar Arena | 7pm (local time)

Saturday, July 22

Hitchin Town v Arsenal U18s

Top Field | 3pm

Wednesday, July 26

Real Murcia U18s v Arsenal U18s

Pinatar Arena | 7pm (local time)

Saturday, July 29

Villarreal U18s v Arsenal U18s

Pinatar Arena | 6pm (local time)