Tzolis and Arsenal youngsters impress in MK Dons pre-season outing
By Joel Masibo, July 26, 2026Arsenal began preparations for the 2026/27 campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over MK Dons in a private friendly held at the Sobha Realty Training Centreon Saturday, July 25, 2026, as Mikel Arteta continues squad strengthening.
Summer arrival Christos Tzolis impressed on his first appearance by creating the opening goal for Reiss Nelson, while Ethan Nwaneri doubled the advantage with a superb curling strike shortly before half-time. After the interval, Ceadach O’Neill completed the scoring by finishing confidently from Demiane Agustien’s lofted pass.
Tzolis shines on debut
The Gunners nearly made the perfect start inside the opening minute when Tzolis slipped Nelson through in the penalty area, but goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray produced an important block to deny the forward.
The Greek winger remained a constant threat on the left flank, combining effectively with Riccardo Calafiori before providing another excellent pass for Nelson, who drilled the ball into the bottom corner after 10 minutes to hand Arsenal the lead.
Max Dowman also impressed during the opening period, delivering an outstanding cross-field pass that allowed Nelson another shooting opportunity, although the MK Dons defence recovered well to block his attempt.
The visitors threatened an equaliser through Callum Paterson, who chased down his own flick before finding himself one-on-one with Kepa Arrizabalaga. However, the Arsenal goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to keep out the close-range effort.
Arsenal’s dominance was rewarded with a second goal six minutes before the interval. A cleverly worked corner routine ended with Nwaneri collecting possession on the edge of the area before curling a precise effort beyond MacGillivray and into the bottom corner.
Youthful second-half side finishes strongly
Mikel Arteta reshuffled his team after the break, introducing eight changes and leaving only Arrizabalaga, Marli Salmon and Louie Copley from the first-half lineup.
MK Dons enjoyed more attacking moments in the second period, with Jack Burke and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy both sending efforts over the crossbar after meeting dangerous deliveries.
Just before the hour mark, new signing Illan Meslier made his unofficial debut, while academy talents Theo Julienne and Marcell Washington were also introduced.
Former Arsenal academy graduate Cohen Bramall almost helped MK Dons back into the game when his dangerous free-kick found Paterson, whose header failed to hit the target.
Arsenal soon extended their lead through O’Neill. Agustien delivered an excellent chipped pass over the defence, allowing the youngster to race through before powering his finish inside the near post.
The hosts nearly added further goals late on. Ismeal Kabia set up striker Evan Mooney, whose powerful strike crashed against the underside of the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten. Kabia then came close himself after being played in by O’Neill, but MacGillivray stood firm.
MK Dons had one final opportunity when Daniel Barlaser fired a low shot toward goal, but Meslier produced a solid save to secure a clean sheet before Arsenal depart for their pre-season training camp in Girona.
Lineups
Arsenal: First half: Arrizabalaga, Copley, Mosquera, Salmon, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Nelson, Dowman, Tzolis, Jesus.
Second half: Arrizabalaga (Meslier 59′), Ogunnaike, Salmon (Julienne 59′), Clarke, Copley (Washington 59′), Ibrahim, Agustien, O’Neill, Harriman-Annous, Kabia, Mooney.
MK Dons: MacGillivray, Burke, Barlaser, Kelly, Wiles, Paterson, Nelson, Bramall, Hepburn-Murphy, Lewis-Burgess (Singh-Hurditt 46′), Ekpiteta.