Milton Keynes Dons suffered a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in a behind-closed-doors friendly, with Christos Tzolis making his unofficial debut for the Gunners. The match saw goals from Reiss Nelson, Ethan Nwaneri, and Ceadach O’Neill, while Tzolis provided an assist for Nelson's opener. The Dons, who finished second in League Two last season with 86 points (24W-14D-8L), are preparing for the new campaign after a strong end to 2025, going unbeaten in their last five matches (DDWWW).
What happened in the friendly?
Arsenal dominated from the start, with Tzolis linking up well with Riccardo Calafiori on the left flank. The Greek winger set up Nelson’s goal in the 10th minute, marking his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt. Ethan Nwaneri and Ceadach O’Neill added to the scoreline, while Illan Mesiler also made his unofficial debut in the second half. Ben White and Jurrien Timber were absent due to injury, and Fabio Vieira was missing amid transfer talks with Hamburg.
Why it matters for Milton Keynes Dons
The friendly provided valuable pre-season preparation for MK Dons, who are aiming to build on their second-place finish in League Two last season. With 86 goals scored and only 45 conceded, the Dons have shown strong attacking and defensive balance. Their recent form (3W-2D-0L) suggests they are in good shape heading into the new season, which begins in August.
What comes next for Arsenal and MK Dons?
Arsenal’s next pre-season fixture is against Girona on August 1, while MK Dons will continue their preparations for the new League Two season. The Dons will be looking to close the one-point gap to leaders Bromley and challenge for promotion. Their last competitive match was a 1-1 draw against Fleetwood Town on May 2, 2026, and they will be eager to start the new season on a high.
