Arsenal’s Tzolis Registers Six Assists in Pre-Season; Villa’s Gomes and Madjo Injured Ahead of Brighton Opener

Arsenal’s new signing Christos Tzolis has registered six assists and one goal in six pre-season fixtures — including two assists in the Community Shield win over Manchester City — since joining from Club Brugge for £34 million. The Greece winger’s pre-season output mirrors his 51 goal contributions in 52 appearances last season for Club Brugge. He has not completed a dribble in at least one match — the Community Shield at Cardiff — but remains highly effective in chance creation and set-piece delivery.

Aston Villa’s pre-season optimism was tempered by injuries to new signing Joao Gomes and 17-year-old Brian Madjo ahead of their opening Premier League fixture against Brighton. Both players featured prominently in Villa’s UEFA Super Cup final loss to Paris Saint-Germain on August 12 in Salzburg. Their absence joins that of Amadou Onana and new signing Johan Manzambi on the treatment table. Meanwhile, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins missed all pre-season activity due to extended World Cup breaks, further complicating Unai Emery’s preparations.

Pre-Season Results Across the Top Flight

Arsenal played six pre-season matches: a 3–0 win over MK Dons on July 25; a 4–1 victory at Girona on August 1; a 1–3 loss to Real Betis in Dublin on August 5; a 2–3 defeat to Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium on August 9; a 1–1 draw (4–3 on penalties) with Como on August 12; and a 3–0 Community Shield triumph over Manchester City in Cardiff on August 16.

Aston Villa contested eight pre-season fixtures: a 5–0 win at Walsall on July 21; a 1–2 loss to Porto on July 25; a 2–4 defeat to Real Sociedad on July 28; a 3–1 win over Indonesia All-Stars on August 1; a 3–1 win against BG Pathum United on August 4; a 1–2 loss to Bayern Munich in Hong Kong on August 7; the 1–2 UEFA Super Cup final loss to PSG on August 12; and a 1–2 loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach on August 15.

Bournemouth played five pre-season matches: a 4–1 win over St Pauli on July 24; a 5–2 win over Augsburg on July 30; a 10–1 win over Genoa on August 4 — played behind closed doors at their training ground over 120 minutes; a 2–2 draw with Real Betis on August 8; and a 1–2 loss to Mainz on August 15.

Brentford played three pre-season matches: a 3–2 win over AFC Wimbledon on July 15; a 4–2 win over Rennes on August 8; and a 7–0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at the Gtech Community Stadium on August 15.

Brighton played five pre-season matches: a 4–1 win over Wycombe on July 18; a postponed match against Annecy on July 25; a 4–3 win over Strasbourg on August 1; a 3–0 win over Roma at the Amex Stadium on August 8; and a 1–0 win over Bologna at the Amex on August 15.

Chelsea played six pre-season matches: a 6–4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on July 28; a 1–2 loss to Tottenham on August 1; a 0–1 loss to Juventus on August 5; a 3–0 win over AC Milan on August 8; a 3–3 draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim on August 9; and a 3–1 win over Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15.

Coventry City played four pre-season matches: a 2–3 loss to AFC Wimbledon on July 11; a 0–0 draw with Northampton on July 18; a 3–1 win over Espanyol on August 8; and a 2–0 win over Monaco on August 14.

Crystal Palace played seven pre-season matches: a 5–1 win over Swindon Town on July 18; a 0–3 loss to Bromley on July 25; two 45-minute matches on July 28 — a 0–3 loss to Lens and a 0–0 draw with Famalicão; a 3–1 win over Al Ula on July 31; a 2–1 win over Fulham on August 7; and a 0–3 loss to Freiburg on August 15.

Everton played seven pre-season matches: a 4–0 win over Dundee on July 18; a 0–0 draw with Bolton on July 25; a 0–1 loss to Stoke on July 28; a 2–1 win over Hamburg on August 1; a 1–3 loss to Stuttgart on August 8; a 3–1 win over Newcastle on August 12; and a 1–1 draw with Lille on August 15.

Fulham played three pre-season matches: a 1–1 draw with Al Ahli on July 28; a 1–2 loss to Crystal Palace on August 7; and a 1–0 win over Stuttgart at Craven Cottage on August 15.

Hull played five pre-season matches: a 3–0 win over Konyaspor on July 25; a 2–1 win over Caykur Rizespor on July 28; a 1–1 draw with Kasımpasa on August 1; a 0–2 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt on August 8; and a 0–0 draw with Nice on August 15.

Ipswich played six pre-season matches: a 1–2 loss to Osasuna on July 29; a 0–2 loss to Oxford on August 1; a 2–1 win over Wycombe on August 1; a 1–0 win over Le Havre on August 4; a 3–0 win over Rayo Vallecano on August 8; and a 4–2 win over Union Berlin on August 15.

Leeds played six pre-season matches: a 2–3 loss to Wrexham on July 26; a 1–0 win over Sunderland on July 31; a 4–2 win over Liverpool on August 2; a 2–0 win over RB Leipzig on August 8; a 1–1 draw (4–5 on penalties) with Manchester United on August 12; and a 4–0 win over Augsburg on August 15.

Liverpool played five pre-season matches: a 4–2 win over Sunderland on July 25; a 1–0 win over Wrexham on July 30; a 2–4 loss to Leeds on August 2; a 2–3 loss to Monaco on August 9; and a 2–0 win over Como on August 16.

Manchester City played four pre-season matches: a 1–1 draw (1–3 on penalties) with Inter Milan on August 1; a 3–1 win over K-League All Stars on August 5; a 3–1 win over Atlético Madrid on August 9; and a 3–0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield on August 16.

Manchester United played six pre-season matches: a 0–1 loss to Wrexham on July 18; a 5–0 win over Rosenborg on July 24; a 2–1 win over Atlético Madrid on August 1; a 1–1 draw with PSG on August 8; a 1–1 draw (4–5 on penalties) with Leeds on August 12; and a 2–4 loss to AC Milan on August 15.

Newcastle played seven pre-season matches: a 3–0 win over Darlington on July 18; a 1–1 draw with Gateshead on July 25; a 4–1 win over Bristol City on July 29; a 2–1 win over Valencia on August 8; a 3–1 win over Everton on August 12; a 1–2 loss to Bayer Leverkusen on August 15; and a 1–1 draw with Strasbourg on August 16.

Nottingham Forest played eight pre-season matches: a 2–0 win over Notts County on July 18; a 3–0 win over Blackburn on July 22; a 1–1 draw with Vitoria on July 26; a 2–1 win over Portimonense on July 31; a 1–4 loss to Sporting on July 31; a 0–1 loss to Udinese on August 8; a 0–1 loss to Barcelona on August 8; a 2–1 win over Bayer Leverkusen on August 12; and a 2–0 win over Brest on August 16.

Sunderland played seven pre-season matches: a 5–1 win over York City on July 18; a 2–4 loss to Liverpool on July 25; a 0–1 loss to Leeds on July 31; a 1–0 win over Wrexham on August 2; two matches against Lens on August 8 — a 1–4 loss and a 2–0 win; and a 2–1 win over Rennes on August 15.

Tottenham played seven pre-season matches: a 1–0 win over MK Dons on July 22; a 2–0 win over Auckland FC on July 26; a 1–1 draw (4–2 on penalties) with Sydney FC on July 29; a 2–1 win over Chelsea on August 1; a 1–1 draw with Getafe on August 8; a 3–0 win over Hoffenheim on August 15; and a 2–2 draw with Hoffenheim on August 16.

Transfer and Tactical Developments

Fulham signed Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios from Real Madrid’s youth academy in a €50 million double deal, and added Shea Charles for £30 million. Under Alvaro Arbeloa, they have adopted a high-intensity, high-pressing system during pre-season.

Manchester City’s Enzo Maresca intends to deploy Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku as traditional wingers — a stylistic departure from Pep Guardiola’s approach — but faces midfield depth concerns following Bernardo Silva’s exit and Rodri’s confirmed departure.

Crystal Palace’s Pierre Sage acknowledged the need to temper his desire to tinker after a 3–0 loss to Freiburg on August 15, citing disrupted preparations due to World Cup commitments among first-team players.

Nottingham Forest transitioned to Oliver Glasner’s preferred tactical system and reshaped their squad accordingly. Ousmane Diomande emerged as the standout signing, while key figures remain in place ahead of the new campaign.

Sunderland’s only first-team signing so far is 34-year-old Belgian right-back Thomas Meunier, who joined on a free transfer from Lille. Dayann Methalie is set to join for £25.7 million, becoming their record signing. Granit Xhaka declined an £8 million bid from Chelsea to remain at the club.

Bournemouth’s Marco Rose inherited a strong succession plan both for managers and players. With transfer business completed early, the squad has had time to settle ahead of their debut European campaign — their most testing season to date.

Hull’s return to the Premier League follows a Championship play-off win under a transfer embargo. New arrivals include Nobel Mendy, Konstantinos Tzolakis, and 18-year-old Australian centre-back Lucas Herrington. Goalkeeper Jack Butland is expected to miss until Christmas after arm surgery.

Ipswich’s return to the top flight features experienced Premier League signings rather than domestic or Championship prospects. Daizen Maeda joined from Celtic after scoring goals in Scotland. Brazilian striker Emersonn scored twice in his last two pre-season starts but remains largely unknown.

Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin recorded three goals and two assists in pre-season. Having joined Elland Road just before last season began — and thus missing pre-season — he now enters the new campaign fully fit and supported by new additions including Harry Wilson.

Everton signed Hayden Hackney and Christian Norgaard from Arsenal to strengthen midfield. Right-back remains a concern, with Jake O’Brien and James Garner potential cover unless further signings are made. Brennan Johnson’s pace adds counter-attacking threat under David Moyes.

Chelsea tested a 3–4–3 formation in pre-season, shifting from a 4–2–3–1 after a 3–0 win over AC Milan on August 8. Maxence Lacroix anchored the back three against Real Sociedad on August 15, while Morgan Rogers started on the left of a frontline featuring João Pedro and Cole Palmer.

Coventry’s clean sheet against Monaco on August 14 marked an encouraging end to pre-season. Keeper Carl Rushworth signed permanently after an impressive loan spell last season. Gustavo Hamer and Taiwo Awoniyi are expected to provide attacking threat.