The countdown to the Premier League season is well and truly on as Arsenal enter their final month of preparations before taking on Wolves.

The Gunners are yet to depart on their tour of the United States but have been working hard ahead of 2024/25 with a camp in Marbella having already taken place under Mikel Arteta. There remains a great deal to do for the north London side however.

Arsenal have converted Euro 2024 winner David Raya’s loan move into a permanent deal but seen little other action in the transfer market. More is likely to come with players moving in and out of the club, chief among them being homegrown talent Emile Smith Rowe, who may not get a chance to wear next season’s new shirt.

Cedric Soares, Mohamed Elneny and Arthur Okonkwo have all departed in addition to youngsters such as Tyreece John-Jules, Amario Cozier-Duberry and Reuell Walters. Edu has yet to receive a fee to bolster Arsenal’s coffers for the final six weeks of the window however.

Mirror Football takes a look at what could unfold in advance of Arsenal’s opening day of the Premier League.

What is to come

25 July: Arsenal v Bournemouth, Dignity Health Sports Park, Los Angeles (03:30)

28 July: Arsenal v Manchester United, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles (01:00)

1 August: Arsenal v Liverpool, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (00:30)

7 August: Arsenal v Bayer Leverkusen, Emirates Stadium (18:00)

11 August: Arsenal v Lyon, Emirates Stadium (14:00)

Pre-season is all about preparation but Arteta will hope to set a winning precedent as his squad returns to full strength. The Arsenal boss has already led a training camp in Marbella for those players who have not been involved in internationals, so there is an opportunity to hit the ground running.

The priority will be getting the squad up to speed and avoiding injuries amidst the travel that takes place in the coming weeks. Friendlies at the Emirates will see the north London side enter into a more consistent plan in time for the Premier League’s kick off.

Dream incoming transfers

Arsenal will hope to add the required talent to help them finally topple Manchester City. The margin of defeat has been narrow but building a squad of the requisite talent and depth does not come cheaply.

The ambitions of Aaron Ramsdale to depart for first team football sees Edu in the market for another goalkeeper, albeit one who may not see a great deal of first team action. Ajax’s young England international Tommy Setford looks set to arrive.

Signing Riccardo Calafiori in time for the pre-season departure on July 21 would prove beneficial. The 22-year-old Italy and Bologna defender could cost £45million to bring to the Emirates, with personal terms seemingly agreed for the defender.

With central defensive partners William Saliba and Gabriel Malaghaes having both spent more time in international competition, an early arrival in the backline would help Arteta manage minutes carefully. The duo will likely remain his first choice, but added competition will relieve the pressure to take risks, even with Jurrien Timber already in the squad.

Riccardo Calafiori in Italy training ( 
Image:
Getty Images for FIGC)
The Gunners hope to strengthen throughout the spine of their team. Mikel Merino has been touted as affordable option in the centre of midfield who could help ball progression on the left side. That move could see Thomas Partey move on however.

An out-and-out striker has been a consideration for Arteta too. Kai Havertz had success in the position last term, while Gabriel Jesus remains but links to Viktor Gyokeres remain. The Swede scored 43 goals in his first season with Sporting CP and Arteta was clear that Arsenal on occasion lacked such a clinical eye in the box.

Should Arsenal endeavour to sign a winger, Nico Williams will likely be top of that list. The Barcelona-linked star scored eight goals and provided 19 assists in 37 appearances for Athletic Club last season and has a £48.7m release clause.

Such a move would see stiff competition for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left side, but perhaps could see some movement to ensure that Bukayo Saka is afforded more rest on the opposite flank.

Departures to come

A busy summer of incoming moves would undoubtedly require players to move in the opposite direction. The Gunners do have stars on their fringes who could make way though.

Calafriori’s arrival would likely see Jakub Kiwior surplus to requirements at the Emirates, while others could move on regardless of signings. Arsenal’s hopes of selling Kieran Tierney may have been hit by his injury representing Scotland at Euro 2024 but the Gunners will still aspire to find a suitor.

Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah could leave Arsenal this summer ( 
Image:
Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The time too has come for Arsenal academy products Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah to move on to find more consistent game-time. New additions will only reinforce that.

Emile Smith Rowe’s future would also appear to lie elsewhere, though it would be no surprise if Arteta and his team were happy to keep the 23-year-old around as another option. But the former RB Leipzig loanee is keen to find first-team football with interest from the Premier League growing.

The Arsenal boss will be keen to provoke competition for a spot in his starting XI but will not want to see discontent lead to division in his team. With bids rejected from Fulham and Crystal Palace, and the midfielder still having two years on his contract, the Gunners could land themselves a decent fee.