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Arsenal fitness updates on World Cup stars as Mikel Arteta reveals talks with Declan Rice and Co
Jul 29 2026 20:49 · By www.football.london · 13 Reads
Arsenal are currently in pre-season mode and Mikel Arteta has provided a fitness update on the squad
Mikel Arteta has provided an update on several members of Arsenal’s squad who featured at the World Cup and are yet to return for pre-season training.
The Gunners are currently in Spain for pre-season as they build up their preparations for their Premier League title defence, where they will face Girona in a friendly on Saturday.
Arsenal are without several key members of their squad who featured for their respective countries in the latter stages of the World Cup, but some players have returned to build up their fitness for the new campaign.
Arteta has confirmed, though, that he has held conversations with the likes of Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Piero Hincapie ahead of their return to the squad.
The Arsenal boss also revealed what Declan Rice said to him as the England international continues his summer break after helping the Three Lions reach the World Cup semi-finals. However, there was no mention of Bukayo Saka or Noni Madueke.
“It is all programmed," Arteta said in an interview with Arsenal’s official club media. "We have three different pre-seasons with different groups. But the most important thing is not the programme, it is the attitude behind the programme.
“When I speak to Kai [Havertz], he is desperate to come back tomorrow and Viktor [Gyokeres] the same and Piero [Hincapie] the same.
“And when I speak to Declan [Rice], he is already talking, 'OK, if I come this day, then I can play (then)', and the rest the same. And that is much more powerful than the programme.
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“We want to adapt to the context, which is different.
"There are a lot of opportunities within them because most of them have great experiences throughout the tournament and have really positive performances this past season as well.”
Arsenal also have friendly matches against Real Betis, Borussia Dortmund and Como before taking on Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16.
That will all be the build-up to the Premier League opener for the Gunners on August 21 as they host newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium in the Friday Night Football.
