The pre-season friendly between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen promises an exciting clash as both teams gear up for their respective campaigns.
This preview covers the latest team news, current form, and predictions for the match.
Match Preview
Arsenal's Pre-Season Journey
Arsenal's preparation for the 2024-25 season has seen a mix of results. The Gunners wrapped up their USA tour with a 2-1 loss to Liverpool, where they struggled against a well-organised defensive setup.
Despite this setback, they had positive outcomes in previous matches, including victories over Preston North End and Manchester United.
Mikel Arteta's side also experienced a draw and subsequent penalty shootout win against Bournemouth.
Returning to their home turf, Arsenal will play their penultimate friendly at the Emirates Stadium before facing Lyon in the Emirates Cup.
Bayer Leverkusen's Warm-Up Matches
Bayer Leverkusen, under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, come into this match with solid pre-season form.
After clinching the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles last season, they have managed a win over Rot-Weiss Essen and a 2-2 draw against Lens.
The team, however, is still finding its rhythm ahead of their final warm-up game against Real Betis.
Historical Encounters
These two teams have met competitively only twice, both during the 2001-02 Champions League.
Arsenal secured a 4-1 victory at Highbury following a 1-1 draw in Germany.
Team News
Arsenal
Arsenal recently confirmed the £42m signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, who might debut in this friendly.
Key players Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale, and David Raya have resumed training and are likely to feature.
However, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain sidelined due to injuries.
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen will miss Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo, both on post-Euros holidays, and Matija Marsenic due to injury. Granit Xhaka is set to return to the Emirates, now donning Leverkusen colors, and Jonathan Tah is expected to play despite transfer speculations linking him to Bayern Munich.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal: Hein; White, Timber, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Havertz; Nelson, Jesus, Martinelli
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Hincapie; Tella, Garcia, Xhaka, Belocian; Wirtz, Terrier; Boniface
Prediction
This friendly is likely to be a high-scoring affair with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess.
Arsenal’s home advantage and returning stars may give them an edge, but Leverkusen’s formidable lineup will pose significant challenges.
Our Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Arsenal 
Leverkusen 
