Arsenal's Pre-Season Evolution: Brazilians Return and Young Stars Shine
Arsenal’s World Cup contingent is finally filtering back into view, and with it comes the first real glimpse of what Mikel Arteta’s next evolution might look like.
Brazilians back in the frame
Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli have been spectators so far, granted an extended post-World Cup break after helping Brazil into the last 16. That rest cost them any involvement in the behind-closed-doors win over MK Dons on July 25 and kept them out of the Girona friendly altogether, even though they had rejoined the group at the training camp in Spain.
That caution now looks set to ease. With a handful of full sessions in their legs, both Brazilians are expected to feature at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday night as Arsenal’s pre-season steps up a gear against Betis. The minutes might be managed, but the sight of Martinelli back on the left and Gabriel marshalling the defence will be a welcome one for Arteta and the travelling support.
Arteta’s careful calibration
Arteta has made it clear he will not rush anyone. Against Girona he treated Piero Hincapie, Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres with kid gloves, hooking the trio after just half an hour. It worked: they got rhythm without risk. The same pattern could easily apply to Gabriel and Martinelli in Dublin, a controlled reintroduction rather than a full-blooded return.
Ben White, meanwhile, banked an important 60 minutes on his comeback from a knee injury and came through without a hitch. That was his first outing in three months, though, and the medical staff may decide that is enough for now. If he is held back, youngster Marli Salmon stands ready at right-back, especially with Jurrien Timber a doubt.
Midfield openings and a rising star
In midfield, the door is wide open for youth again. Captain Martin Odegaard is due back at London Colney this week after his own post-World Cup break, but with barely any training behind him he is not expected to feature against Betis. That should hand Ethan Nwaneri another chance to stake his claim in the heart of the pitch.
Nwaneri is likely to operate alongside Havertz and Myles Lewis-Skelly. The senior core of the engine room remains scattered on holiday: Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino are all still away. A move for Bruno Guimaraes has already been rebuffed by Newcastle, underlining how much work remains to be done in that area of the squad and how valuable these pre-season auditions could become.
Martinelli’s lane, youngsters’ stage
Up front, the Girona win offered a glimpse of the future as well as the present. Max Dowman and Christos Tzolis both found the net in a 4-1 victory that underlined Arsenal’s attacking depth. Yet the dynamics on the left flank may now shift.
Tzolis, a summer arrival, could be the one to step aside to allow Martinelli to reclaim his favoured left-wing role and sharpen his edge ahead of the competitive fixtures. It is the kind of selection call that defines pre-season: a balancing act between rewarding form and restoring hierarchy.
Arsenal arrive in Dublin with senior stars returning, transfer sagas simmering and teenagers pushing hard against the door. For Arteta, Betis is not just another friendly. It is another piece in a squad puzzle that has to be solved before the real business begins.
