What can we expect from Arsenal's pre-season fixtures?

Mikel Arteta

What can we expect from Arsenal's pre-season fixtures?

By Oli Dickson Jefford

Though it’s been a breathless summer of Euros action, football just doesn’t stop with Arsenal playing their first pre-season friendly later today.

400 miles separate the Emirates from Easter Road, the home of Hibernian FC, but that journey is what Arsenal have faced as they prepare to face Jack Ross’ side later today.

Hibernian finished a highly respectable third in the Scottish Premiership in the 2020-21 season, with only Rangers and Celtic finishing above them.

They will fancy their chances against an Arsenal side likely to feature several younger and inexperienced players, though the Gunners will still probably be favourites to get a result.


Two tests north of the border

A tougher test awaits after that match, with Rangers next up on the 17th July.

Rangers won their first league title in ten years earlier this summer and did so in style, topping the Scottish table 25 points clear of Celtic and winning 32 of their 38 league matches.

In fact, they did not lose a single match during their league campaign - becoming Scotland’s own ‘invincibles’ while also reaching the round of 16 in the Europa League.

Managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, the side will be full of confidence after their recent campaign and will provide a tough test for anyone they face.

Steven Gerrard


Going Stateside

After their visit up to Scotland, Arsenal then head to the US to compete in the Florida Cup where they are first set to face one of the toughest tests in football.

Since winning the treble in 2010 and the Coppa Italia in 2011, Inter Milan had fallen down the pecking order of Italian football, not hitting the heights of the past and seeing Juventus dominate Serie A and most other domestic competitions.

However under the stewardship of Antonio Conte and with world class players such as Romelu Lukaku starring, Inter raced to the league title last season in impressive fashion.

Though Lukaku is unlikely to be in action having featured for Belgium in their run to the last eight at the Euros and with Simone Inzaghi having replaced Conte as manager, this match will likely provide some sort of answer as to how competitive Arsenal may be this season.

Whatever XI Mikel Arteta puts up should have nothing to fear in a match with fairly little at stake, but they must still be wary of a team that features sustained quality in all areas.


Fate in their hands

Arsenal’s next match after that depends on if they win or lose, with either Everton or Colombian side Millonarios awaiting them.

Everton won both Premier League meetings last season and do undoubtedly have some strengths, but they faded towards the end of their Premier League campaign and should be an opponent Arsenal are confident about taking on.

Millonarios currently sit third in the Categoria Primera A and the main danger would be facing a team that the players and the club will probably know little about.

However if they do come up against the Colombian side, they will be able to look at how Millonarios performed against Everton to gain some valuable insight.

Photo credit: Getty Images

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