KUALA LUMPUR: The International Champions Cup in Singapore will see Arsenal’s manager Unai Emery lead his new team in his first two matches against top European sides.
Arsenal will open the Singapore-leg of the tournament against Europa League winners Atlético de Madrid on July 26, and then against Emery’s former club and Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain on July 28 at the republic’s National Stadium.
Since replacing Arsene Wenger, Emery has wasted no time boosting Arsenal’s squad, making five signings as of today, most of whom have defensive capabilities.
The Spaniard’s first three signings were defenders Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Stephan Lichtsteiner, who are expected to help solidify Arsenal’s backline with their experience, and Bernd Leno, who is being groomed to succeed Petr Cech.
Emery then roped in defensive midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, whose signing has surprised many.
Emery has made his intention clear about the 19-year-old, Guendouzi is expected to fight for a first team spot.
The French teenager was also a summer target for Paris Saint-Germain, and is likely to have been on Emery’s radar for a while before the coach himself moved to Arsenal and convinced the teen to sign for the North Londoners.
Bernd Leno, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Matteo Guendouzi are all expected to be on the flight to Singapore and make their Arsenal debut here. Arsenal’s squad in Singapore for the International Champions Cup also include goalkeepers Petr Cech; defenders Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers; midfielders Mohamed Elneny, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Matteo Guendouzi; and forwards Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Iwobi.
Revealing his goal for Arsenal, Emery said: “I want to win. The performances, every day, for work on attacking, defending, is to be competitive each match.
“My first idea is getting better day-to-day with our players and working hard with our players, to transmit my ideas. The system for me isn’t the most important. For me, the most important thing is to be and to create one competitive team.”
