After the Gunners 2-0 loss to Manchester United. They will continue their USA pre-season tour, as Arsenal vs Barcelona will take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday.
The game will be Mikel Arteta’s men last pre-season fixture. Because they will be facing Monaco in August, as regards their 2023-2024 Emirates Cup.
Xavi Hernández’s men were supposed to play a friendly game against Juventus. However, it was canceled because of a disease in the squad.
Of course, Arsenal vs Barcelona have many head-to-head matches. They do meet regularly in the UEFA Champions League or Europa League.
The La Liga side are unbeaten in their previous 4 games against the Gunners. Apparently, it’s going to be tough and interesting on Thursday at SoFi Stadium.
Aside from that, Arsenal lost (2-1) their last club friendly against Barcelona. However, it was in 2019, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring for the Gunners.
Xavi Hernández and Mikel Arteta haven’t played against each other since their appointments. They will face each other in Los Angeles on their pre-season tour.
Arsenal lost 2-0 to Manchester United, with the likes of Rice, Timber, and Havertz on the pitch. As a result, they wouldn’t want to lose on Thursday.
The North London club have only won one club friendly on their USA pre-season tour. Which was against the MLS All-Stars, winning 5-0 with five players on the scoresheet.
Therefore, they would want to face the Bluagranas with a high level of winning spirit. Because they will be facing Monaco in August.
Speaking of Barcelona, the Culers won their first club friendly (2-0) in June. It was against Vissel Kobe, more like a farewell to Andrés Iniesta.
Xavi Hernández’s side have welcomed some new players in this summer’s transfer window. As a result, they have enough reinforcements to face the Gunners.
Arsenal usually play awfully well against Barcelona. And their 90-minute display against Manchester United wasn’t impressive. However, they are most likely to do well on Thursday.
Surprisingly, the Bluagranas will wear their white shirt against the Gunners at SoFi Stadium. It will be their first time in the 2023-2024 campaign.
Also, it’s been reported that Xavi Hernández will start their pre-season fixtures with the 3-at-the-back formation. He’s most likely to use the 3-4-3 setup against the Gunners.
Arsenal vs Barcelona team news
Leandro Trossard is back in the squad, he played 20 minutes against the Red Devils. Therefore, he may start at SoFi Stadium on Thursday.
Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard played 90 minutes against Manchester United. So they are available and club friendly.
Actually, Mikel Arteta has a full squad to face Barcelona. However, he was being selective against the Red Devils in their 2-0 defeat.
Folarin Balogun was part of the squad. But he didn’t get any minutes, with the likes of Rob Holding and Jakub Kiwior.
Despite the fact that Thomas Partey is heavily linked with a move to Juventus. He grabbed 32 minutes against Manchester United.
As a result, he’s most likely to start on Thursday against Barcelona. At least, Mikel Arteta will definitely need more legs in the midfield.
From defense to attack, the Gunners are well-equipped. Therefore, they have no excuse to lose at SoFi Stadium, even though it’s just a friendly game.
Unbelievably, Oleksandr Zinchenko is still injured. The Ukrainian left-back didn’t travel with the squad on their USA pre-season tour.
Also, Reiss Nelson, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Cedric Soares aren’t in the squad. At least, they haven’t played two friendlies in a row for the Gunners.
Speaking of Barcelona’s team news, Mikayil Faye has started training with the squad. Therefore, he’s most likely to get some minutes on Thursday.
Also, İlkay Gündoğan traveled with the team to the United States of America. He has been training back-to-back with the squad.
Oriol Romeu and Iñigo Martínez are with the squad. Of course, Xavi Hernández has enough reinforcements in the squad.
Interestingly, the Blaugranas traveled to the United States of America with some youngsters. They have Fermín López on board.
Abde Ezzalzouli, Sergiño Dest, Lamine Yamal and Alex Valle and others are part of the squad. The two sides have enough reinforcements.
Unfortunately, Julian Araujo won’t be joining the squad on their USA pre-season tour. The club decided to extend his vacation after the Gold Cup.
Arsenal possible lineup (4-2-3-1)
Ramsdale; Timber, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus.
Barcelona possible lineup (3-4-3)
Ter Stegen; Christensen, Araujo, Koundé; Balde, De Jong, Pedri, Roberto; Fati, Lewandowski, Dembélé.
Arsenal vs Barcelona predictions
Of course, the Gunners lost their previous club friendly against Manchester United. As a result, they wouldn’t want to lose back-to-back.
At the same time, Barcelona wouldn’t want to start their USA pre-season tour with a defeat. Therefore, they would want to win.
Mikel Arteta and Xavi Hernández are both brilliant and talented managers. They would want to showcase their managerial skills on Thursday.
Even though it’s just club friendly. Both teams will face each other with a high level of winning spirit, wanting to claim victory.
The 3-at-the-back formation (3-4-3) usually works for Barcelona. That may give the Culers an edge over the Gunners at SoFi Stadium.
Arsenal 2-4 Barcelona
Kick-off time
As regards the club friendly, Arsenal vs Barcelona will kick-off at 03:30am BST on Thursday. It will take place at SoFi Stadium.