Gooner Talk

Arsenal are close to finalising preparations for the 2013 Emirates Cup tournament.

The prestigious pre-season competition didn’t take place last year due to the schedule clashing with the Olympic Games, but it is set to make a return this summer.

Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan are just a few of the elite names which have previously graced the two-day tournament.

Several European giants have been approached by Gunners’ officials and it is expected that Turkish champions Galatasaray, Serie A side Napoli and Portuguese team FC Porto will all be involved.

Galatasaray have former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue in their ranks, while Napoli boast arguably one of Europe’s best strikers in Edison Cavani.

This year’s Emirates Cup will be staged over the weekend of Saturday 3rd August 2013 and Sunday 4th August 2013.

Cesc Fabregas won’t be involved in this weekend’s Emirates Cup tournament after Arsene Wenger revealed that the Arsenal captain ‘isn’t settled’ with his ‘injury’ and ‘situation’ at the club.

The Spaniard has not featured in any of Arsenal’s pre-season games so far, instead working on his match fitness with personal trainer Juan Ferrando following a troublesome hamstring problem.

Barcelona have made two offers for the 23-year-old – both under £30m – while Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood admitted yesterday that the Catalan giants need to ‘make their minds up’ before talks end between the clubs.

“He [Fabregas] is just coming back from injury and we have to make sure that he is focused on being with us. I always say he is torn between two loves – the club where he has been educated as a very young boy and the club where he has been educated from 16 onwards and he has been given a chance. I personally can understand it.”

Tomorrow’s Emirates Cup kicks off with MLS side New York Red Bulls playing against Paris Saint-Germain, while Arsenal face Boca Juniors later in the afternoon.

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French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain have accepted an invitation to this summer’s Emirates Cup tournament, with Les Parisiens set to make their third appearance in north London since the birth of the competition.

Having hosted successful affairs during the last two summers (and capturing the competition trophy in 2007), Arsenal will again welcome Antoine Kombouaré’s men, who share the same sponsors as the Gunners.

The other team still mulling over an invitiation to the Emirates Cup is MLS side New York Red Bulls, who boast former Arsenal man Thierry Henry – a key reason as to why Ivan Gazidis invited them.

As it stands, PSG are currently on the verge of qualifying for Europe in fifth place, with Stade Rennais taking up the Champions League spot just two points ahead of them.

With thanks to @thegoonblog.

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Related Article: Arsenal set for pre-season friendly in Malaysia

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry could be back at the club sooner than expected, as his New York Red Bull side consider an invitation to the 2011 Emirates Cup competition.

According to the Washington Post, the MLS giants “have been considered for an invitation but nothing is set in stone”, although their participation looks likely with no matches scheduled for the usual tournament dates in late July.

The Emirates Cup has been hugely successful since Arsenal staged the inaugural tournament back in 2007 and it’s now recognised as one of the world’s most prestigious pre-season tournaments.

More information on Arsenal’s pre-season tours, with Malaysia being touted as a likely destination, will be released towards the end of the season.

Arsenal fans who were hoping to see AC Milan star Ronaldinho at the Emirates Cup have been left disappointed by the news that the Brazilian is set for a month on the sidelines with a muscle injury.

The 30-year-old former World Player of the Year had to abandon training on Wednesday night after he complained of feeling a twitch in one of his flexor muscles, and it doesn’t look good.

Voices from Milan suggest he will have a scan later to determine the extent of the injury. The Rossoneri have stayed quiet over the damage, but their official website did confirm the player will have to undergo further medical tests.

Emirates Cup Fixtures

Day 1:

Celtic v Olympique Lyonnais
Arsenal v AC Milan

Day 2:

AC Milan v Olympique Lyonnais
Arsenal v Celtic

You can see the Celtic, Lyon and Milan squads for the Emirates Cup here.