Arsenal have reportedly added a fourth – slightly less glamourous – friendly to their World Cup break schedule, planning to face Watford.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal scores their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Watford at Emirates Stadium on November 07, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal scores their side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Watford at Emirates Stadium on November 07, 2021. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

With reports of planned matches against the likes of Olympique Lyonnais, AC Milan, and FC Barcelona, Arsenal should be able to face their fair share of high-quality opponents over the World Cup break.

But before all that, The Athletic’s Adam Leventhal writes that Arsenal have agreed to play a behind-closed-doors match against Watford in the week commencing November 28th.

The two teams have reportedly played against each other on a semi-regular basis in recent times, due to the ease of logistics.

Watford’s training ground is right next door to Arsenal’s, so the travel time for the fixture is effectively non-existent.

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The rest of Arsenal’s World Cup break schedule is yet to be officially confirmed, but various reports have revealed most of it.

David Ornstein and Charles Watts write that Arsenal will initially be granted around 10 days off. After that, any players not involved in their country’s World Cup squad will return to training.

Arsenal plan to travel to Dubai on December 4th for a warm-weather training camp and a mini-tournament. Players involved in the World Cup will join up as and when their countries are eliminated.

The Gunners will then play against Lyon on December 8th and AC Milan on December 13th. Arsenal will fly home on December 14th.

The Dubai friendlies will be played in the Al Maktoum Stadium, Al Nasr’s home ground, with fans allowed in attendance.

RAC1 report that Barcelona and Arsenal are in talks to play a friendly on December 17th at the Emirates Stadium, though nothing is finalised there yet. If it goes ahead, that game would also be open to supporters.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: Neymar of Barcelona is challenged by Hector Bellerin of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16, first leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Neymar, then of Barcelona, is challenged by Hector Bellerin, then of Arsenal, during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match on February 23, 2016. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s potential World Cup schedule

  • November 13th-December 3rd – Approximately 10 days off, followed by training in London
  • W/C November 28th – Arsenal vs Watford (London Colney)
  • December 4th – Travel to Dubai for a warm-weather camp
  • December 8th – Arsenal vs Lyon (Al Maktoum Stadium)
  • December 13th – Arsenal vs Milan (Al Maktoum Stadium)
  • December 14th – Travel back to London
  • December 17th – Arsenal vs Barcelona (Emirates Stadium)
  • December 26th – The Premier League returns
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