Arsenal vs Barcelona preview
With the European soccer season set to start out in three weeks, golf equipment have began their annual custom of taking part in membership friendlies as they appear to get gamers on top of things and check out new younger gamers who might play an integral half within the upcoming season. And it’s below such circumstances that Arsenal will face Barcelona on the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
Whereas Barcelona gained La Liga final 12 months, ending a tough season with some positivity, Arsenal, alternatively, threw away their lead on the prime of the desk and have been pipped by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis to the Premier League title.
Nonetheless, Mikel Arteta had one of many youngest squads within the league and with a number of key additions, the staff seems to be one of many favourites to win the Premier League title, their first in 20 years. Alternatively, Barcelona will probably be trying to regain their standing as a prime membership within the Champions League.
The Catalans have additionally needed to deal with their monetary situation, contemplating they needed to activate a number of financial levers to purchase gamers. On prime of that, the membership can be renovating their dwelling stadium Camp Nou which is anticipated to price €1.5 billion.
Nonetheless, that has not affected the membership’s attract to prime gamers, which has been immensely useful to the membership in such dire instances. Whereas that is solely a pleasant with no actual factors for trophies up for grabs, each side will accept nothing lower than a victory to get a constructive begin to their season.
The Gunners have massively elevated their squad depth’s high quality with the addition of gamers equivalent to Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz. In the meantime, Barcelona have additionally bolstered their ranks by including Oriol Romeu, Ilkay Gundogan, and Inigo Martinez to the staff. They’re additionally reported to have an interest within the Kylian Mbappe switch saga.
Arsenal vs Barcelona lineups
Arsenal lineup
Arsenal began Rice, Havertz, and Timber of their 2-0 loss to Manchester United. After the sport, Arteta mentioned that although the staff had misplaced, he was inspired by the efficiency of his new signings and was assured that the staff will turn into like a well-oiled machine by the point the brand new season begins.
The video games in opposition to Barcelona additionally provide Arsenal the ultimate probability to get their gamers in tune. The staff’s subsequent two video games will come in opposition to AS Monaco within the Emirates Cup, adopted by a conflict in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the closing of the Group Protect.
The membership are at present with out the companies of Reiss Nelson and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who’re out with a toe damage and calf damage, respectively. Aside from that, Arteta has a totally match squad to select from.
Predicted Arsenal lineup: Ramsdale; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Trossard
Barcelona lineup
Alternatively, Barcelona’s pre-season have been hit by an outbreak of gastroenteritis which has affected as many as 15 gamers. As a consequence of this, Barcelona have performed just one recreation in opposition to Vissel Kobe earlier than their recreation in opposition to Juventus was known as off because of the outbreak.
It’s nonetheless unclear whether or not all the staff members will be capable to get better from the epidemic to start out in opposition to Arsenal. This makes it difficult to pick a beginning 11. Nonetheless, the supply of Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martine will probably be an enormous enhance to the squad, with the duo anticipated to make their debut on the SoFi Stadium.
Even when everybody manages to get better, then Xavi will train warning as he provides his gamers extra time to get better earlier than the beginning of the brand new season.
Barcelona lineup: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Christensen, Martinez, Alonso; Gundogan, Kessie, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Fati
Arsenal vs Barcelona predictions
With Barcelona anticipated to be removed from full power, Mikel Arteta’s males will fancy their possibilities to come back away with a victory. In the meantime, Barcelona will probably be hoping to place an honest beginning 11 that can provide Arsenal a run for his or her cash.
Nonetheless, even with the 2 groups fielding their greatest lineups, it’s arduous to foretell in a pleasant recreation.
FootTheBall predicts a 2-2 draw.
