Arsenal and AC Milan are once again ready to face each other but not in an official tournament. The clash is a part of the pre-season. Arsenal will host the ‘Emirates Cup’ for the fourth consecutive year. But this time, the Gunners are going to host it in Asia. In fact, Arsenal will travel to Asia for the first time since 2018. On the other hand, AC Milan will hope for a positive start after having a disappointing season. The 19-time Serie A champions finished 8th in the table last season. In contrast, the North-London- based club played the semifinal after thrashing Real Madrid in the quarterfinal. While Arsenal are targeting this year to clinch the Premier League title, AC Milan want to finish in the top 4 again. Although this friendly match does not have any huge importance, the players will utilise this match to evaluate themselves.
Arsenal Pre-season Tour: The Team News
Arsenal have taken a 30-man squad for their pre-season campaign. The squad has a good mix of juniors and latest signings. Among the new inclusions, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, and Kepa Arrizabalaga are all part of the team. But Noni Madueke will not play in these friendly matches for his new team. The core players of Arteta’s side are also available. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli will most probably feature in most of the matches. Lots of academy products have also travelled with the main team. Young prodigies like Max Dowman, Lewis Skelly, and Marli Salmon are expected to get some minutes, too.
AC Milan Pre-season Tour: The Team News
AC Milan also have a lot of new faces this season. They have already brought in Massimiliano Allegri as their new head coach. The club has made a statement signing of Real Madrid legend Luka Modric. Modric will wear jersey no 14 again after his Tottenham days. Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders have left Milan. The club has strengthened their squad by signing Samuele Ricci and Pietro Terracciano. Meanwhile, Luka Modric will not participate in these friendly matches. AC Milan are still looking for some valuable additions in the transfer market. In the latest transfer updates, Brighton defender Pervis Estupinan is very close to joining the Rossoneri ahead of the new season. But in another transfer battle, Atletico Madrid has beaten AC Milan and has officially signed Almeria right-back Marc Pubill. AC Milan are becoming more ambitious as they are after Liverpool forward, Federico Chiesa, too. But that deal is a hard job to crack. The club is very busy in the market to reshape their squad. But as of now, AC Milan will look to perform well in the match against Arsenal.
Author’s Note: Arsenal-AC Milan Match Preview
Both clubs will be looking to start the season with three points. Arsenal’s Spanish mastermind, Mikel Arteta, will most probably field a strong team against AC Milan. On paper, this AC Milan team is much weaker than the Gunners. AC Milan will have to field a lot of young players. But Allegri is an experienced coach. Arsenal will hope to capitalise on the game from the very beginning. The Italian side hasn’t played football since May. Both the coaches won’t take much risks. Fans expect it to be a tight game. Arsenal are the favourites to win this match. This match will be played in the Singapore National Stadium on 23rd July. The kick-off time of the match is 5:00 pm IST. For Indian fans, they can see the match through the Fancode App.
Stay tuned for more transfer updates.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
