Arsenal return to pre-season in less than two weeks Mikel Arteta prepares for a shot at top four

Arsenal will reportedly report for pre-season training in less than two weeks ahead of their first game of the summer in Germany.

Mikel Arteta appears keen to get his squad back to London Colney to begin preparations for the 2022-23 season.

The Gunners will plot another shot at securing Champions League football next season after London rivals Tottenham pipped them to top four, while juggling Europa League fixtures.

Arsenal will make their return to European football after failing to play in any UEFA competition last term and Arteta is already looking to welcome his players back from their summer breaks.

The first team squad are due to return on June 27, according to Arsenal Fixture News.

However, Arsenal stars who are still on international duty will be given extra time to recharge and will not report for pre-season training on that date.

This includes England quartet Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Folarin Balogun who will be heading on a long-awaited break following the Three Lions' woeful Nations League campaign.

Brazilian duo Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes, Switzerland's Granit Xhaka, French defender William Saliba, Portuguese left-back Nuno Tavares and Norwegian star Martin Odegaard will also be absent for the first day of training.

Transfer targets Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus and Leicester's Youri Tielemans will also be afforded extra time off for their involvements with Brazil and Belgium respectively, if they do make the move to the Emirates.

The Gunners' earlier-than-usual return comes ahead of their clash against German outfit FC Nurnberg on July 8.

The friendly in Germany is the first summer fixture of any of the big six.

Liverpool and Manchester United both kick off their pre-season friendlies on July 12 as they face each other in Bangkok in Erik ten Hag's first game in charge.

Tottenham are close behind as they play Team K League on July 13, while Chelsea play Club America on the 16th in the United States and Manchester City face the same opposition four days later.

Following their trip to Germany, Arsenal will fly out to begin their US tour on July 13.

While Stateside, the Gunners will face Everton, MLS side Orlando City and Chelsea before returning to the English capital.