ARSENAL will play two friendlies in Dubai during the World Cup versus Lyon and AC Milan – and it starts TODAY.
The Gunners will play in the Dubai Super Cup against the French side on December 8 and then the Serie A champions on December 13.
Liverpool complete the teams in the mini competition but Mikel Arteta’s side will not play their Premier League rivals.
The aim of the tournament is to keep players who are not part of the World Cup fit during the six-week pause of domestic football.
Arsenal will fly out to Abu Dhabi for a warm-weather training camp as well as the scheduled friendlies.
Plenty of stars in the league leaders’ squad are not in action in Qatar.
The likes of Mohamed Elneny, Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko and captain Martin Odegaard all play for nations that failed to qualify.
Players snubbed by their national teams such as Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Magalhaes are also expected to feature in the exhibition games if fit.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming training camp and matches Arteta said: “We’re looking forward to spending time together on the training pitch in a warmer climate.
“It’ll be a nice change of environment and a great opportunity for us to work hard and prepare for the second half of the season.
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“Dubai is a fantastic place and the football facilities there are first-class.
“The Dubai Super Cup also gives us the opportunity to test ourselves against two strong sides in Lyon and AC Milan – it’ll be a great experience for the squad.”
The match against Lyon sees Arsenal’s aces come up against former team-mate Alexandre Lacazette – who was not chosen by France manager Didier Deschamps despite netting nine times this season.
Arsenal will play in early December in Dubai before flying back to London for preparations at home for the return of the Premier League.
They will be hoping to maintain their five point lead at the top of the table over Manchester City.
Arsenal face West Ham on Boxing Day at the Emirates Stadium in their first game back after the World Cup hiatus.
