Arsenal are set to play a two-game Emirates Cup this pre-season for the first time since 2017, according to a report.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Captain Manuel Almunia of Arsenal lifts the winners' trophy after the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and Celtic at Emirates Stadium on August 1, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Captain Manuel Almunia of Arsenal lifts the winners’ trophy after the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and Celtic at Emirates Stadium on August 1, 2010. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Arsenal fixture insider Arsenal Fixture News reports that the Gunners are set to play two Emirates Cup matches at home during pre-season.

The first game is set to take place on Wednesday, August 7th at 20:00 BST, with the second match on Sunday, August 11th at 16:00 BST.

As it stands, the opposition is unconfirmed, but Arsenal Fixture News report that there are rumours that Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon could be the two opponents. Both games would be men’s first-team fixtures.

It’s unclear whether or not Leverkusen and Lyon would also face each other, and whether there would be a fourth team at the event as there was in the traditional format of the pre-season tournament.

Bayer Leverkusen's Swiss midfielder #34 Granit Xhaka celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates during the German Cup (DFB-Pokal) final football match between 1 FC Kaiserslautern and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on May 25, 2024. (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen’s Swiss midfielder #34 Granit Xhaka celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates during the German Cup (DFB-Pokal) final football match between 1 FC Kaiserslautern and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on May 25, 2024. (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)

We’ll have to wait for official confirmation of the above report, but Arsenal certainly need to add a few more pre-season fixtures to the current calendar.

As it stands, the Gunners have only officially announced friendly games against Manchester United and Liverpool, with the rest of the schedule remaining uncertain.

Arsenal will head off to the U.S. on July 21st, and there have been unconfirmed rumours of a game against Bournemouth on July 24th in Los Angeles.

After that, it’s the confirmed games against Manchester United at the Sofi Stadium on July 28th, and against Liverpool at the Lincoln Financial Field on August 1st.

With the Community Shield on August 10th, it was always unlikely an Emirates Cup game would take place that same day. Instead, it seems the plan is to split two fixtures across the week.

Predicted Arsenal pre-season fixture list

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, applauds the fans after the team's victory in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on May 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, applauds the fans after the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on May 04, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

With all of the above in mind, here’s a prediction at Arsenal’s pre-season fixture list, with any confirmed elements listed in bold.

  • July – Behind-closed-doors friendly
  • July 21st – Travel to the United States
  • July 24th – Arsenal vs Bournemouth (N)
  • July 28th – Arsenal vs Manchester United (N)
  • August 1st – Arsenal vs Liverpool (N)
  • August 7th – Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen (H)
  • August 11th – Arsenal vs Olympique Lyonnais (H)