Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick has reaffirmed the club's commitment to combating all forms of discrimination after issuing stadium bans and football banning orders to nine fans during the 2025-26 campaign. The bans, announced ahead of the new domestic season, stem from serious offenses such as assault, homophobia, racism, antisemitism, and various forms of abusive behavior.

The bans vary in duration from one to three years, preventing the individuals from attending any matches involving Arsenal. The club is also assisting police with 13 ongoing investigations into alleged offenses, both in-person and online, with suspects remaining under the club's disciplinary scrutiny pending case outcomes.

In partnership with Signify Group, a data science firm, Arsenal has identified over 17,700 abusive messages directed at individuals associated with the club, marking a significant increase from the previous year. Out of 267 completed investigations, 39 individuals were identified for potential disciplinary action, with nine cases escalated to law enforcement.

Garlick emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming environment, stating, "The overwhelming majority of our supporters help make Arsenal a welcoming, inclusive and respectful place to be. Abuse and discrimination have no place at Arsenal, whether in our stadium or online."

As Arsenal prepares for pre-season, they are set to face Como, managed by former player Cesc Fabregas, and will compete against Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday. New signing Bruno Guimaraes may feature following his £75 million transfer from Newcastle, as manager Mikel Arteta gears up for their title defense, starting against newly promoted Coventry at home on 21 August.