Arsenal's preparations for the new season step up a gear on Thursday when they face Sydney FC in their first pre-season friendly.

Arsene Wenger has already confirmed that record signing Alexandre Lacazette will make his Gunners debut at the ANZ Stadium, but who else will get a run out for the Premier League side?

Our chief football writer John Cross has travelled Down Under with the Gunners and he has given us his latest take from the Arsenal camp, including the team news for tomorrow's match, which kicks off at 11am, UK time.

Arsenal then face Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday before they move on to China where matches against Bayern Munich and Chelsea await them.

This comes after the Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud starred in the launch of the new Arsenal third kit - an eye-catching black and pink number which the team will be sporting on their travels in the upcoming campaign.

You can watch John's verdict direct from Australia above.

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