Arsenal’s pre-season campaign goes up a notch next week when they host the Emirates Cup tournament against Portuguese champions Benfica, La Liga side Valencia and French club AS Monaco. The Gunners have completed the bulk of their transfer business earlier than usual this summer and the club’s new recruits are expected to be involved over the weekend of football. Thomas Vermaelen, Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all likely to play some part after being given extended breaks following their involvement in the FIFA World Cup. Gooner Talk looks at which players could make their debuts next week: Alexis Sanchez Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has already confirmed that Sanchez may be used upfront next season. Sanchez possesses a multi-faceted attacking style, where he is able to play and score from the centre, as he does for Chile, while he can also stretch defences and get in behind from wide positions. All eyes will be on the £32m-man when he makes his Arsenal debut at the Emirates Cup. Mathieu Debuchy The France international comes in as a ready- made replacement for Bacary Sagna who joined Manchester City at the start of the month. Strong in the tackle and confident going forward, Debuchy is likely to compete with Calum Chambers for the right-back spot when the Southampton defender completes his move to Arsenal. David Ospina Ospina was one of Colombia’s star players during their run to the World Cup finals and his performances saw him rewarded with a move to Arsenal in July. The 25-year-old will make play 90 minutes against either Benfica or Monaco next week. Renowned for his phenomenal reflexes and athleticism, Ospina will provide stiff competition with Wojciech Szczesny for the no.1 spot next season. Calum Chambers Many Southampton supporters have said that at under £12m, Arsenal will be getting themselves an absolute bargain. The right-back imposed himself on the successful Saints side last season and is considered a future England star. Able to play at centre-back, defensive midfield as well as left- back, versatile Chambers is expected to complete his move to Arsenal next week following several days of negotiations with Southampton. Joel Campbell Costa Rica’s star-man of the World Cup will make his long-awaited Arsenal debut at the Emirates Cup. An exciting, pacey forward who can play on either wing, Campbell made inroads at Olympiakos last season where a Champions League goal against Manchester United showcased his talents to the rest of Europe. It’s unknown whether Arsene Wenger sees him as a potential option upfront next season but he’ll be able to prove himself for the first time in an Arsenal shirt at Emirates Stadium next week.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 23:05:16 +0000
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