Arsenal’s squad will be strengthened for the visit of Bayer Leverkusen with four players set to return to the fold.
The Gunners will welcome Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga ‘Invincibles’ to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday as they continue their pre-season preparations ahead of what promises to be another testing Premier League title-chasing season.
Mikel Arteta’s side will be bolstered by the return of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale, and William Saliba – they were allowed an extended break after UEFA Euro 2024. The four were pictured alongside a number of teammates at Arsenal’s Sobha Reality Training Centre. First-choice goalkeeper David Raya was also in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 winning squad but did not feature in the tournament – he returned to training last Friday.
There are no reports of any injury troubles regarding the quartet – who could all feature in the friendly fixture. Arsenal concluded their pre-season tour of the US with a defeat to Liverpool last Thursday after previous fixtures with Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth.
The Gunners will face a tough test in Leverkusen before Ligue 1 outfit Olympique Lyonnais visit the Emirates next Sunday ahead of the Premier League opening weekend fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 17.
Arsenal will be aiming to secure the Premier League title this season after taking last season’s race to the final day. They finished second with 89 points despite avoiding defeat – a win and a draw – in their two fixtures with eventual champions Manchester City. The addition of Riccardo Calafiori and the permanent addition of Raya could go a long way to improving their fortunes.
