Arsenal are set to play a friendly against Napoli this summer, with the Emirates Cup also set to make a return, according to reports.

Arsenal's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny (L) vies with Napoli's French-born Algerian midfielder Adam Ounas during the UEFA Europa League quarter final, first leg, football match between Arsenal and Napoli at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 11, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP)
Arsenal’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny (L) vies with Napoli’s French-born Algerian midfielder Adam Ounas during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final, first leg, football match between Arsenal and Napoli at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 11, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP)

Arsenal’s pre-season plans continue to develop, with more uncertainty than usual due to the ongoing global situation. The latest reports suggest the Gunners are set for a friendly against Napoli and the long-awaited return of the two-day Emirates Cup.

Corriere dello Sport claim Napoli have a friendly against Arsenal in the pipeline for July, at the Emirates Stadium.

Meanwhile, Arsenal Fixture News post an unconfirmed report that the Emirates Cup will be played on Friday 6th and Sunday 8th August. The Saturday needs to be kept free because the Community Shield is being held in London on that day.

This would be the first four-team two-day edition of the Emirates Cup since 2017, when Arsenal finished first ahead of Sevilla, Leipzig, and Benfica. There’s no word yet on the other teams that might take part this year.

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We already know Arsenal will play friendlies against Hibernian (July 13th) and Rangers (July 17th) in the early stages of pre-season. There’s also a triangular tournament involving Chelsea and Spurs planned for the end of July/early August.

As a result, you’d imagine the Napoli friendly will take place in mid-to-late July. Below is our current prediction for pre-season.

Arsenal Pre-Season 2021

  • July 12th – Edinburgh training camp begins
  • July 13th – Hibernian (A)
  • July 16th – Edinburgh training camp ends
  • July 17th – Rangers (A)
  • Mid-to-Late July – Napoli friendly (H) and overseas warm-weather training camp
  • End of July/Start of August – Triangular London tournament
  • August 6th-8th – Emirates Cup
  • August 14th – Premier League season begins

We also know an Arsenal XI will face Hendon Town (A) on July 30th, but this will almost certainly be an Arsenal youth side.

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