Arsenal will face Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen as the Gunners continue their pre-season preparations. Mikel Arteta‘s men recently concluded a tour of the USA, where they drew with Bournemouth, clinched a well-deserved 2-1 victory against Manchester United, and fell to defeat in their final game against Liverpool. Arsenal will face Leverkusen on August 7 at 6:00 pm (British Summer Time) at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen – Team News
Several key Gunners are expected to be involved against Leverkusen after being given an extended vacation following their involvement in the recently concluded UEFA Euros and Copa America. Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and David Raya began their pre-season training a few days ago and may make substitute appearances.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney remain unavailable as they recover from injuries. Several youngsters who were part of the squad that toured the US are expected to play a reduced role against the German side due to the return of senior players.
New signing Riccardo Calafiori will be hoping to receive his first start for the Gunners.
Arsenal vs Leverkusen – Match Preview
Bayer Leverkusen were one of the best teams in the world last season and will be tough to beat. They won the Bundesliga unbeaten and also clinched the DFB-Pokal trophy. They lost only a single game the entire season, which was, unfortunately, the UEFA Europa League final to Atalanta.
This will be the first time Mikel Arteta faces Xabi Alonso as a manager. The two Spaniards are childhood friends who started at the Real Sociedad academy together. They also faced each other as players when Alonso played for Liverpool and Arteta donned Everton’s blue. Both are considered some of the best managers in the world, and it will be a fascinating tactical battle, especially with both teams likely to be at full strength as their respective league seasons approach.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen
Arteta will likely field a strong side with almost all his senior players available. While they may not start, they are expected to make appearances in the second half, as the manager will be wary of rushing them back too early.
Kai Havertz started as a midfielder in the match against Liverpool and may continue in that position as Arteta continues to experiment with the German. Calafiori is expected to make his debut for the Gunners.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen: Raya; White, Timber, Gabriel, Calafiori; Jorginho, Havertz, Odegaard; Nelson, Jesus, Martinelli.
