Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has instructed his first-team squad to report for training on Christmas Day, even though the Gunners are not scheduled to play on Boxing Day this season. The decision, confirmed by multiple reports, reflects Arteta’s determination to maintain momentum and fitness levels during a crucial phase of the campaign as Arsenal prepare to return to Premier League action against Brighton & Hove Albion on December 27 at the Emirates Stadium.
The planned session will take place at Arsenal’s London Colney training base on the morning of December 25, and players will be able to return home afterwards, rather than remaining on site. While the club’s match schedule sees a gap on December 26, Arteta has remained steadfast in his approach to preparation, believing that continuity will benefit the squad as it balances a congested fixture list across domestic and European competitions.
Arsenal’s last game before the festive break is a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Crystal Palace on December 23, after which many of the squad will spend Christmas Eve with family. However, Christmas Day training means that established figures such as Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke will have to delay their festivities until later in the day, a decision that has drawn significant attention given the cultural importance of the holiday.
Arteta’s choice comes amid scrutiny over player workload and fitness. The Spanish coach has recently acknowledged that Arsenal are in a “dangerous circle” of injuries but has denied that his training methods are to blame, pointing instead to the congested schedule and the demands of competing on multiple fronts.
Critics of the December 25 session have noted that for several players, especially those from continental Europe, Christmas Day represents a key family occasion, while others see the move as indicative of Arteta’s rigorous standards. Arsenal have previously faced challenges balancing recovery and preparation amid a heavy fixture roster, and this latest decision underscores the manager’s uncompromising stance on maintaining competitive readiness.
Arsenal’s campaign continues to evolve with key games ahead, and the outcome of Arteta’s festive training initiative is likely to remain a talking point as the club navigates the remainder of the season.
