Arsenal will begin their preparations for the 2021-22 campaign with a pre-season friendly against Scottish outfit Hibernian at Easter Road on Tuesday evening.
The Gunners are working towards their Premier League opener against Brentford on August 13, while Hibernian, who have already played three times during pre-season, will be in Europa Conference League action on July 21.
Match preview
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Hibernian, as mentioned, have already played three pre-season friendlies this summer, opening their preparations for next term with a 5-3 success over Civil Service Strollers on July 2.
The Scottish outfit then suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley on July 6 but will enter this contest off the back of an encouraging 1-1 draw with Championship side Stoke City on Friday.
Head coach Jack Ross has been "delighted" with that he has seen from his players physically during pre-season, and Hibs now have two more friendlies against Arsenal and Raith Rovers before taking on either Mons Calpe or Santa Coloma in the Europa Conference League on July 21 and July 28 respectively.
Hibernian will open their 2021-22 Scottish Premiership campaign against Motherwell on August 1, meanwhile, which is an indication of the importance of the next two friendlies on July 13 and July 16 respectively.
Last season proved to be a strong campaign for the club, as they finished third in the Scottish Premiership, in addition to making the final of the Scottish Cup and semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup.
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Arsenal, meanwhile, will be returning to action for the first time since ending their 2020-21 Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on May 23.
The Gunners won their final five league matches of last season to finish in eighth position, but they will not play European football next season, with Tottenham Hotspur claiming the spot in the Europa Conference League.
Mikel Arteta's side have already confirmed the arrival of Nuno Tavares and are allegedly close to completing a deal for Albert Sambi Lokonga, with the club expected to be busy during this summer's transfer window.
Arsenal - building towards their Premier League opener away to Brentford on August 13 - will take on Hibernian and Rangers in their next two friendlies before taking part in the Florida Cup later this month.
Arteta's team will then face Chelsea and Tottenham in back-to-back friendlies ahead of the trip to Brentford, and it will be fascinating to see what XI lines up for the team's league opener in just over a month.
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Team News
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Hibernian were without Paul Hanlon and Paul McGinn against Stoke due to injuries, while Sean Mackie was also absent, and all three players could again miss out against the Gunners on Tuesday.
Ryan Porteous and Darren McGregor played the full 90 minutes against the Potters, though, and Kevin Nisbet was involved following his delayed return due to his involvement in Euro 2020 with Scotland.
The same XI that featured against Stoke could again take to the field for the first whistle, with former Arsenal youngster Matt Macey lining up between the sticks for the Scottish club.
As for Arsenal, Bernd Leno, Granit Xhaka and Kieran Tierney will all be absent due to their involvement in Euro 2020, while Bukayo Saka is currently with the England squad preparing for the final.
Lucas Torreira is on holiday following his involvement for Uruguay at the Copa America, but the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Thomas Partey and Nicolas Pepe should all play a part.
Rob Holding, Emile Smith Rowe and Pablo Mari are also among those available for selection, while Under-23s duo Miguel Azeez and Omar Rekik should be given opportunities to impress.
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Macey; Cadden, McGregor, Porteous, Doig; Newell, Gogic, Boyle, Allan; Murphy, Nisbet
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Runarsson; Chambers, Pablo Mari, Holding, Cedric; Elneny, Willock; Aubameyang, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Lacazette
We say: Hibernian 1-3 Arsenal
Hibernian are further along in their preparations and will provide strong opposition for Arsenal, who are back in action for the first time since May 23. Arteta has a strong squad to choose from, though, and we are expecting the Premier League club to open their pre-season with a win.
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