Arsenal have confirmed that they will take part in the Dubai Super Cup next month as part of their plans to build back up to the start of the Premier League. The tournament will involve fellow Premier League side Liverpool as well as Lyon and AC Milan although the Gunners will only play the latter two.
“We need good preparation mentally and physically to be ready for the huge demands that the second part of the season is going to bring to the team," Mikel Arteta said when asked to explain why he had elected for his team to take part in the competition. "We have two great games against Lyon and Milan and we are really looking forward to it. They’re two big clubs and it’ll be tough competition, and for us, it’s a great test to see where we are.”
While no one will suggest the Dubai Super Cup is a major trophy, it does offer Arsenal the chance for some early silverware and having won the Orlando Cup and the Emirates Cup in pre-season, Arteta will be keen to keep the winning feeling going around north London. As with all pre-season tournaments though, the rules that could see the Gunners claim the trophy are far from simple.
