Arsenal’s pre-season plans are taking shape with the club confirming we’ll face Hibernian at Easter Road on 13 July.
Mikel Arteta’s side will travel to Edinburgh for a week-long training camp starting on 12 July and will also face Rangers in a friendly on 17 July as the SPL champions celebrate their 150th anniversary.
Speaking about the clash with Hibs, who we’ve not faced competitively, Arteta said: “We’re pleased to confirm our second game in Scotland as part of a week-long training camp that will help us prepare for the 2021/22 season.
“The matches against Hibs and Rangers will be good tests for us and we’re looking forward to playing against two strong opponents. Pre-season is an important time for the squad and we’re delighted to have this organised early so we can get the most out of the two matches and the training camp.”
I’m sure they weren’t meaning to rub salt in our wounds but Hibs’ statement tickled us.
“We have secured our return to European football and matches like these should give us a great taste of what is to come throughout the 2021/22 season,” said Interim Chief Executive Greg McEwan.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for Hibs’ young left-back Josh Doig. Perhaps Edu might take his chequebook with him to Scotland?
It remains to be seen who else we’ll face in pre-season but there have been rumblings of a London-based tournament with Chelsea and Sp*rs.
If you’re wondering what the picture is about. Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires took part in a testimonial for ex-Hibs captain Ian Murray in 2011. A lifelong Gooner, he invited a few of his favourite Arsenal legends to the kickabout.
He said after the match: “Patrick and Robert were exceptional and I take my hats off to them for coming up.
“I spent last night with them as well, we had dinner and a couple of drinks and it was really good they were willing to spend some time with me outside of the game.
“It’s always interesting to meet guys like that and get their views on football.
“It’s great to be involved with guys like these and it has given some of our younger guys a chance to see what it’s all about.”
And here was me thinking it was a slightly unnecessary and nonsensical photoshop…
Arsenal vs Rangers I imagine to be 21 players ambling round the field with Kieran sprinting around, screaming at the ref and going in two footed for every challenge.
Ian Murray was my neighbour for years and i had no idea he was a gooner!
Usually the dull thud of a head hitting a wall repeatedly gives it away…
Possibly agreed as part of any deal to sign their left back ? When ever players are signed teams always tie in a friendly match along the way , you never know
I hear they’ve got an injured 33 year old ex Northern Ireland international who’s out of contract next season though, so it could be either player…
Would be nice, but Jeorge Bird pointed out it’s more likely part of the deal from when they signed Matt Macey in January
So that’s left back sorted then
Nice. Any decent players of theirs we can pinch?.
I haven’t watched them much this season but the main attractions are Josh Doig, a 19 year old left back who has been linked with us as well as Celtic, Kevin Nisbet the main striker who has been called up by Scotland and Ryan Porteous, a young CB who is wanted by championship clubs. Even if they excel at Hibs, not many players recently have made the grade at a higher level – it really is championship/ league one standard. John McGinn of Villa was their last major export and both his brothers play for Hibs!
You wait years for Arsenal to come to your local and they eventually they do..in a pandemic year. Ever disappointing! Hope I can get a ticket or I’ll peer down from Arthur’s Seat.
This is becoming more and more like an old style pre season, I’m surprised we aren’t popping over to Ireland for a game.
Ireland are significantly behind the UK in terms of vaccine rollouts and lockdown restrictions.
We were going play pre-season in Ireland in summer 2020, but then the pandemic hit
And here’s me thinking my two teams would never meet! Nice.
You and me both! Question is ‘Hibs shirt or Arsenal shirt?’
If Johnny can have 4 hats, then I am sure you can have two shirts 🙂
I’d already got tickets to see the Arse at Ibrox and now they’re coming to play my hometown club, the Hibees!
Choose Life. Choose Arteta. Choose finishing mid table. Choose Adidas Leisurewear with pink and lemon trim. Choose Ceballos. Choose LEGOball. Choose Willian. Choose Xhaka. Choose backpasses. Choose horseshoes. Choose Your Future. Choose Kroenke. Choose Life.
Harry Kane; “I don’t choose Tottenham anymore”.
Not enough clean sheets for Spud.
Choose unnecessary negativity
Watch out for that cat Tommmy
‘Tommy and Lizzie Volume II’
Heaven – the two teams I support playing each other 🙂
This is a trial match to see if exciting young Brazilian winger Willian is good enough for Hibernian.
Rangers 150th Anniversary? I thought that this is a “new” club, after the club previously calling itself was closed down?