New details emerge on Arsenal’s World Cup break plans

Earlier this week, David Ornstein reported that after Arsenal’s final pre-World Cup match next weekend, the squad will initially be granted 10 days off. After that, any players not involved in their country’s World Cup squad will return to training.

Arsenal plan to travel to Dubai on December 4th for a warm-weather training camp and a mini-tournament. Players involved in the World Cup will join up as and when their countries are eliminated.

The Gunners will then play against Lyon on December 8th and AC Milan on December 13th.

Liverpool are also likely to be involved, but they won’t play against Arsenal. Jurgen Klopp’s side are seemingly just set to face Lyon and Milan, like Mikel Arteta’s team.

Arsenal will then fly home on December 14th, and they may play a third friendly at the Emirates Stadium on December 17th, holding talks over facing a Spanish opponent.

Charles Watts of Goal has now confirmed all of the above, whilst adding a few new details.

Firstly, the Dubai friendlies will be played in the Al Maktoum Stadium, Al Nasr’s home ground, with fans allowed in attendance.

Secondly, the squad won’t get any time off between returning from Dubai and their friendly match in London. They’ll be in training as normal from then on.

Finally, if Arsenal fail to organise a fixture at the Emirates Stadium on the 17th, they’ll hold a friendly at London Colney instead. So a third game will go ahead, it just might not be available for fans to tune in.

If the game is at the Emirates, fans will be able to buy tickets as normal.