Arsenal are back in north London as the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season closes in and face Bayer Leverkusen in preparation for the new campaign on Wednesday.

A busy summer for the Gunners is not slowing down with Mikel Arteta’s side having two more friendlies before the start of the season after returning from the United States.

It was a mixed tour in terms of results for the title hopefuls, with Liverpool beating them 2-1 in Philadelphia to bring their summer venture to a close.

Arteta is set to have a full complement of players available for Wednesday’s game, with Leverkusen set to be slightly undercooked having played just twice this summer. Xabi Alonso has the almighty task of defending the Bundesliga title in 2024/25 having finally ended Bayern Munich’s reign of terror at the top of the German top flight.

Leverkusen were the story of last season and have so far retained the core of their unbeaten outfit including former Gunner Granit Xhaka, who returns to his old home on Wednesday for the first time.

Here’s 90min’s guide to Arsenal’s pre-season clash against the Bundesliga champions.

Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen H2H Record (All Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have been welcomed back to London Colney along with David Raya and all three should be involved on Wednesday.

New signing Riccardo Calafiori wasn’t used against Liverpool but is in contention for an unofficial debut on home soil. Jurrien Timber should also come back into the team with William Saliba unlikely to start.

Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both sidelined through injuries. Supporters will hope that young gun Ethan Nwaneri earns more pre-season minutes.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen (4-3-3): Raya; White, Timber, Gabriel, Kiwior; Partey, Odegaard, Nwaneri; Vieira, Havertz, Martinelli.

Jonathan Tah has been linked with a move away from Leverkusen this summer, with Bayern Munich among the interested teams, but the German defender was involved against Lens at the weekend and should feature at the Emirates.

Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo were late returning from their post-Euro 2024 breaks but could play some part on Wednesday. Alonso is also without teenager Matija Marsenic due to a long-term knee injury.

Exequiel Palacios is set to miss the start of the 2024/25 season after undergoing meniscus surgery.

Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup vs Arsenal (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Garcia, Xhaka, Adli; Hlozek, Wirtz; Boniface.

It should be a treat for the senses on Wednesday evening. While Leverkusen are still working their way into the summer schedule and several of Arsenal’s key men will be featuring for the first time this pre-season, expect a belting encounter in north London.

Arteta has offered plenty of variation in regards to system and personnel this summer, with Arsenal poised to evolve further in their bid to dethrone Manchester City next season. The Gunners will be put to the test by a Leverkusen side coached by a man who can match Arteta tactically in Alonso. The duel on the touchline will be fascinating.

Nevertheless, with a buoyant Emirates awaiting the two sides, the hosts may snatch the win. Arteta has a deep squad at his disposal and those coming off the bench might make the difference late on.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP