Arsenal may be set to play a friendly at the Emirates Stadium over the World Cup break in addition to their reported training camp in Dubai.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JULY 23: Arsenal fans show their support during the Florida Cup match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Camping World Stadium on July 23, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Arsenal fans show their support during the Florida Cup match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Camping World Stadium on July 23, 2022. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Speaking on the Handbrake Off podcast, Adrian Clarke reported that he’s heard rumours that Arsenal might play a friendly in December ahead of the return of club football.

“I have heard whispers, I won’t announce it here, I have heard whispers of one particularly exciting friendly that we might see at Emirates Stadium in December before we play West Ham,” Clarke said.

This would presumably be in addition to Arsenal’s plans to hold a training camp in Dubai.

The Mirror claim Arsenal have already agreed to play a friendly against AC Milan during a warm-weather camp. Meanwhile, Le Progres report that Lyon are set to take on Arsenal in Dubai in December as well, between the 5th and the 12th.

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The advantage of Dubai is obviously the proximity to the World Cup tournament in Qatar, meaning players will be able to easily join up with Arteta’s squad when their countries are eliminated.

Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka holds the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 1, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English midfielder Bukayo Saka holds the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 1, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

An additional friendly in England may be impacted by Arsenal’s potential participation in the League Cup fourth round.

If Arsenal can get past Brighton to play in the fourth round, their return to club football will be brought forward from December 26th (when the Gunners face West Ham) to the previous midweek.

That may not leave as much time for a friendly at the Emirates, but we’ll see.

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