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Barcelona will face an attack-heavy Arsenal side in the Joan Gamper Trophy
The pre-season’s biggest tournament for Barcelona is the Joan Gamper Trophy, named after the club founder and its first manager. This year, Ernesto Valverde’s side will face Arsenal for the trophy as defending champions.
The Gunners will pose a significant threat to Barça, having built one of the most formidable attacks in Europe. The debut of Nicolas Pépé will be the talking point at the Camp Nou, as three Barça players also set to make their first appearance as first-team players.
Expected Starting XI (4-3-3):
Goalkeeper: Neto
Right-back: Moussa Wagué
Centre-back(right): Gerard Piqué
Centre-back(left): Clément Lenglet
Left-back: Jordi Alba
Central playmaker(right): Carles Aleñá
Holding midfielder: Frenkie de Jong
Central playmaker(left): Arturo Vidal
Right winger: Rafinha
Centre-forward: Antoine Griezmann
Left winger: Philippe Coutinho
Neto will start in goal, and has to be ready to get his gloves scorched. Moussa Wagué is also set to make his debut after being called up to the first-team squad. Last season’s main centre-back duo of Gerard Piqué and Clément Lenglet are expected to make the cut.
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Jordi Alba will be included in the starting lineup with the lack of a viable alternative. In midfield, Carles Aleñá could be given the creative reins while Arturo Vidal muscles out the Arsenal midfield. Frenkie de Jong is sure to start in place of Sergio Busquets as defensive midfielder.
In the forward positions, Ernesto Valverde is unlikely to risk Luis Suárez in a friendly match. So, Antoine Griezmann will be playing down the middle. Philippe Coutinho is set to be given another shot to prove his worth, while Rafinha comes in as the right-sided forward.
Lionel Messi is sure to come off the bench, while Ivan Rakitić come be brought in for damage control in the middle of the park. Ousmane Dembélé is likely to be brought in as a late substitute, exploiting the fatigue of the relatively slower Arsenal full-backs.
Also, Vidal could be replaced by the immensely talented Riqui Puig. Barcelona B star Carles Pérez is also a candidate to replace someone in attack, after scoring a brace against Vissel Kobe.