Arsenal will conclude their pre-season preparations on Saturday when they host Spanish side Athletic Club in the annual Emirates Cup at a sold-out Emirates Stadium. This represents Mikel Arteta’s last chance to fine-tune his side before the Premier League season begins in just one week’s time.
After a promising start to their summer, back-to-back defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal have created some cause for concern among the fanbase. Therefore, the Gunners are in desperate need of a convincing performance and a victory to build momentum ahead of their tough league opener away to Manchester United.
This match is expected to be the first time summer signing Noni Madueke is included in the starting XI. The winger, who made his debut off the bench against Villarreal on Wednesday, is predicted to get the nod on the right wing. Star striker Viktor Gyökeres is also expected to lead the line once again as he builds his fitness.
There is significant positive news for Arsenal in defence. Key centre-back Gabriel Magalhães is back in action after recovering from a hamstring injury and could partner William Saliba for the first time this pre-season. Jurrien Timber is also fit again and is in contention to start at right-back.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Ødegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyökeres, Martinelli.
This is more than just a standard friendly for Arsenal. It’s a crucial final test to iron out the flaws seen in recent games and to build confidence with what looks to be their strongest available team on paper. A strong performance and a victory are essential as they prepare for the trip to Old Trafford.