Arsenal have confirmed the first team will face Rangers in a pre-season friendly on 17 July.
The match has been organised as part of the Scottish champions’ 150th-anniversary celebrations and will see Mikel Arteta returning to the club for whom he played two seasons early in his career.
The Gunners have had a close relationship with Rangers from a long time. The Ibrox outfit bought shares in Woolwich Arsenal in 1910 and held them for more than 100 years before owner Craig Whyte, in an attempt to raise funds for the club when it was in administration, sold them for £230,000 to Alisher Usmanov in 2012.
Matches between the sides were a regular occurrence during Herbert Chapman’s time in charge at Highbury and they continued to come thick and fast in the fifties and sixties.
Arsenal were also invited to take place in Rangers’ centenary celebrations. On that occasion, Bertie Mee’s Gunners, courtesy of goals by Charlie George and John Radford, ran out 2-1 winners in front of 60,000 fans.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions away supporters will not be invited to Glasgow this time around. Unsurprisingly, we’re expecting pre-season to be a very low-key affair.
Arsenal vs Rangers – friendly record
1933/34 Rangers 2, Arsenal 0 (Ibrox)
1933/34 Arsenal 1, Rangers 3 (Highbury)
1934/35 Arsenal 1, Rangers 1 (Highbury)
1935/36 Rangers 2, Arsenal 2 (Ibrox)
1936/37 Arsenal 2, Rangers 1 (Highbury)
1938/38 Rangers 1, Arsenal 0 (Ibrox)
1951/52 Arsenal 3, Rangers 2 (Highbury)
1953/54 Rangers 1, Arsenal 2 (Ibrox)
1954/55 Arsenal 3, Rangers 3 (Highbury)
1955/56 Rangers 2, Arsenal 0 (Ibrox)
1958/59 Arsenal 0, Rangers 3 (Highbury)
1960/61 Rangers 4, Arsenal 2 (Ibrox)
1962/63 Arsenal 2, Rangers 2 (Highbury)
1966/67 Rangers 2, Arsenal 0 (Ibrox)
1967/68 Arsenal 3, Rangers 0 (Highbury)
1968/69 Rangers 2, Arsenal 2 (Ibrox)
1973/74 Rangers 1, Arsenal 2 (Ibrox)
1980/81 Rangers 2, Arsenal 0 (Ibrox)
1989/90 Rangers 1, Arsenal 2 (Ibrox)
1996/97 Rangers 3, Arsenal 0 (Ibrox)
1996/97 Arsenal 3, Rangers 3 (Highbury)
2003/04 Rangers 0, Arsenal 3 (Ibrox)
2009/10 Arsenal 3, Rangers 0 (Emirates)
Good team to play, they are on the up undoubtedly.
Good one for the Edouard debut…
Haha. Not gonna happen…. unless… we trade him for Laca. Maybe Laca would enjoy a few twilight years in Glasgow. KT can make it happen.
I think you might be right.
He could well be the new Sebby Frey. It’s been at least five windows of speculation now and, without being disrespectful, if we wanted him we could just go and get him.
The one that plays for Celtic?
Is it guaranteed that there will be no supporters in grounds? On the Covid roadmap I thought all restrictions were expected to end in June. Obviously that’s based on current projections and a lot can change between now and then, but has there been an announcement from the clubs/are there different rules in Scotland which would restrict Arsenal fans from going?
Suggestion I think is a few local fans will be there, but no travellers
That’s discriminating against the traveller community.
Will it be a reduced capacity mate? I
ve got a few contacts in Glasgow and was hoping to get up there but got no chance of getting a ticket if theres only going to be 15 – 20 thousand allowed in. Shame as I`ve always had a real soft spot for the Bears, always been my second team. Would have loved to come up and celebrate 55 and hopefully a Europa League as well. Might still come up actually and go on the piss anyway. #WATP1996/97 Rangers 3, Arsenal 0 (Ibrox)
The first, and sadly the only time to date, that I’ve seen the Arsenal in person. Richard Gough’s testimonial, and a debut goal from Jorg Albertz is about all I remember. Arsenal were pretty hopeless.
I feel like this story would be better vocalised in front of an open fire, you with a whisky in your hand and me sitting on your knee.
That got weird quickly
Lol 😂
Who’s that in the picture by the way?
Essentially, my question is, why the heck is Ebouue wearing a Rangers jersey???
Emirates Cup, shirt swap after the games.
Ah I see, thanks mate. That makes so much sense
Wow Eboue plays for Glasgow?
I hope they remember to be friendly.
I’m sure they will. Rangers reserve any “special welcome” for a particular team much closer to home.
Aka “Glaswegian kiss”
A long-standing friendly as the article shows – part of Arsenal’s history. Let’s hope we meet the Gers as EL winners.
I have many fond memories of attending Rangers-Arsenal games in the past. Special bond between the teams and never forget Rangers helping establish Arsenal all those years ago…
Rangers will have a different coach. Surely Gerard will be hired by a prem club
Probably a thankyou invite for doing over Slavia last week.