Arsenal, Benfica, Sevilla and RB Leipzig will be contesting the Emirates Cup in north London this weekend, with some big names worth keeping an eye on in this pre-season tournament.
The Gunners have hosted this mini-competition several times now since their move to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, and it’s always guaranteed entertainment ahead of the start of a new season.
Arsenal will play Benfica on Saturday and Sevilla on Sunday, while RB Leipzig are also in action, meaning there’ll be a number of players to watch out for in each team.
Here’s our preview of who you should be keeping your eye on at this summer’s edition of the Emirates Cup…
Alexandre Lacazette
It’s not exactly been an electrifying start to pre-season for Arsenal summer signing Alexandre Lacazette, with just the one goal since his £52million move from Lyon.
Of course, it’s early days yet for the Frenchman and he’ll still be getting himself fit and adjusted to his new side, though by this weekend fans might expect to see a bit more from him.
Lacazette will be turning out at the Emirates Stadium as an Arsenal player for the first time this weekend, though it’s not yet clear if he’ll play both games or how long he’ll spend on the pitch.
Still, we could get a glimpse of the great things to come from the striker if Arsenal turn on the style as they often do in the Emirates Cup.
Sead Kolasinac
Another summer signing for the Gunners, Sead Kolasinac joined from Schalke on a free transfer and we’ll get a better idea of his role in the side after this weekend’s round of games.
Capable of playing left-back, wing-back, centre-back or even defensive midfield, it is not yet clear where the Bosnian will play most often for Arsene Wenger’s side this season.
Left wing-back seems the obvious choice, though he’s also operated on the left of the three centre-backs in pre-season. Either way, he’ll be hoping for a strong showing as he makes his Emirates debut.
Naby Keita
Naby Keita won’t be in action against Arsenal, but Liverpool fans may be particularly keen to tune in for RB Leipzig’s fixtures as the Guinean midfielder will surely be in action.
Rated as one of the most exciting young talents in Europe right now, the 22-year-old has been strongly linked with a big-money move to Anfield for much of this transfer window.
Possibly worth as much as £75m, it’ll be interesting to see Keita in action on these shores – and it might not be the last time we see him here this year.
MORE : What can Liverpool expect from Naby Keita transfer?
Chris Willock
Chris Willock raised some eyebrows when he left Arsenal for a move to Benfica this summer, and he’s now set for an early reunion with his former employers.
The 19-year-old striker was regarded as a top talent in north London, but opted to move abroad in order to boost his chances of first-team football, allowing his contract to run down.
Mesut Ozil rates Willock highly and is looking forward to seeing him again, saying: ‘He trained with us now and then, and was a very good player, very hungry. I wish him all the best there.
‘For him it’s an opportunity to show his former club what he can do. Like I said, I trained with him a few times and he’s a good footballer.’
Arsenal's pre-season fixtures
Arsenal 2-0 Sydney FC
Arsenal 3-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
Arsenal 1-1 Bayern Munich
Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea
Arsenal 5-2 Benfica
Arsenal 1-2 Sevilla
Aug 6 – Chelsea (Wembley – Community Shield)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Linked with the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool as he seemingly refuses to sign a new contract, it could be worth keeping an eye on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain if he plays this weekend.
The England international had a notably poor game in the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea last week, so may be distracted by the speculation over his future.
Who knows? Another below-par display could persuade Arsene Wenger that cashing in on the 23-year-old might not be such a bad idea after all.
Kostas Mitroglou
A lethal finisher on his day, Kostas Mitroglou has been hugely prolific for Benfica despite being better known in England for a poor brief spell at Fulham a few years ago.
The Greece international will certainly be Benfica’s danger man if he’s used this Saturday, so Arsenal’s defence will have to do better than it did against Michy Batshuayi last week.
Wissam Ben Yedder
One of Sevilla’s biggest threats, Wissam Ben Yedder has been linked with Arsenal in the past and may want to prove a point to the club if he’s involved in this weekend’s game.
The Frenchman can play up front or in an attacking midfield role, and was one of Sevilla’s top performers last season as they mounted a surprise La Liga title challenge.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Finally, Ainsley Maitland-Niles could be set for more of a first-team role at Arsenal this season if pre-season so far is anything to go by.
The versatile youngster started in the back three against Chelsea last weekend, and had a difficult time, so this may be his final chance to impress Wenger ahead of the real football.
With a few more senior players likely to be involved in both games at the Emirates Cup, it should be worth watching what position Maitland-Niles is used in if he does get a run-out, as he can also operate at wing-back or midfield.
Emirates Cup schedule
Sat 29 July
RB Leipzig v Sevilla – 2pm
Arsenal v Benfica – 4.20pm
Sun 30 July
RB Leipzig v Benfica – 2pm
Arsenal v Sevilla – 4.20pm
MORE : Emirates Cup 2017 TV channel, ticket information, fixtures and dates
MORE : Arsenal target Riyad Mahrez scores another fine pre-season goal for Leicester
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