The 5th Annual Emirates Cup Pre-Season tournament kicks off today, when Paris St Germain, New York Red Bulls and Boca Juniors make the trip to North London.
For those who aren't aware of the tournament, the layout is the same as Ajax's Amsterdam tournament. The teams are awarded, 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and a point for every goal scored to encourage attacking football in pre-season. Arsenal have won their tournament on 3 out of 4 occasions, with Hamburg being the only 'away' team to win the competition in 2008.
Arsenal will be favourites to win this tournament again, but with oil rich PSG involved along with Argentine giants Boca Juniors and Gunners legend Thierry Henry's Red Bull it won't be an easy run at all.
Arsenal
The hosts look to defend their title this weekend when they take on Boca Juniors in the second of the two games on the opening day. Arsenal have won 3 out of the 4 previous tournaments and will look to extend that record by taking care of Boca and then either awoken giants Paris Saint Germain or record goalscorer Thierry Henry's New York Red Bulls.
However, they'll have to do it without skipper Cesc Fabregas, who isn't in Arsenal's squad for the tournament due to "not being 100% focused to play" amid speculation he is edging closer to a move to the Camp Nou with boyhood club Barcelona.
Key Player
Jack Wilshere
19 year old central midfielder Jack Wilshere is the man who everyone will be looking to for inspiration at the Emirates in the absence of captain Cesc Fabregas. The England international is already a key member of Arsenal's line up and will be expected to make a big impact at the tournament where he made his name with two goals in the 2009 final vs Rangers.
He'll be the man to make Arsenal tick along with Welshman Aaron Ramsey and Frenchman Samir Nasri, but as a lifelong Arsenal fan Jack will have that added drive to make sure his team wins - even if it is just a pre-season tournament.
Boca Juniors
Argentine giants Boca Juniors enter the Emirates Cup for their debut appearance in the competition. The Argentines travel to London a few weeks after their domestic season commenced and will look to cause problems to the teams they face.
Key Player
Juan Roman Riquelme
Argentine playmaker Riquelme is by far Boca's most dangerous player in his attacking midfield role. Most known for his time at Villarreal, the man who was once regarded as "The natural successor to Maradona" will look to rip teams apart with his exceptional passing ability, long range shooting and pin point accuracy. He's also pretty handy when it comes to a set piece, something we all know Arsenal have struggled with in the past.
Paris Saint Germain
Paris Saint Germain travel to the Emirates to compete in this pre-season tournament for the third time. The recently turned mega rich French side bring their new look squad to the Emirates with their new owners looking for some success after spending so much money already in this transfer window. Javier Pastore, who signed for €43M isn't in the squad after signing too late.
Key Player
Mamadou Sakho
A monster centre half, 21 year old Mamadou Sakho is captain of Parisian side PSG and will look to lead his side to victory in the Emirates tournament. He attracted copious amounts of interest from all over Europe including Arsenal, but they gave him the captains armband and he looks set to stay for a long time. He'll look to prove the tag he has as one of Europe's hottest prospects by trying to stop some of the best attacking talent in world football in Thierry Henry, Robin Van Persie, Marouane Chamakh and Sergio Araujo.
New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls come to The Emirates Stadium as they become the first MLS side to ever compete in the Emirates Cup. With their domestic season in full flow, they should be one of the more sharp teams in the tournament, but with probably the least quality in the side they won't be expected to win the tournament.
Key Player
Thierry Henry
Well, who else? MLS top goalscorer this season and Arsenal's former captain and all time top goalscorer with 226 goals in 8 years the French man is without doubt The Red Bulls dangerman. Although not as quick as he once was, he's still got enough about to cause problems to any defender and also still has that demon of a right foot and calm head to slot home any chance that may come his way.
No comments:
Post a Comment