Arsenal close out their 2024/25 pre-season preparations by hosting Lyon in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners have endured mixed fortunes in pre-season to date. Their tour of the United States was made up of a draw with Bournemouth, loss to Liverpool and win over Manchester United, but they produced an excellent display on their return to north London. A 4-1 victory over Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen will have undoubtedly lifted morale.

The Premier League campaign is now less than a week away for Arsenal, who will be hoping this season is third time lucky after two second-placed finishes. To topple Manchester City this time around, they will have to be more or less perfect.

Here is 90min’s guide to Arsenal’s final pre-season outing on Sunday.

Arsenal vs Lyon H2H Record (All time)

Current form (all competitions)

There could be an unofficial debut handed to summer signing Riccardo Calafiori at the Emirates after he missed the win over Bayer Leverkusen. He could partner either Gabriel or William Saliba in the heart of the defence or replace Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back.

Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice both featured from the bench against Leverkusen after returning from extended breaks following Euro 2024. They should earn some more minutes before the Premier League opener next Saturday.

However, Jurrien Timber and Kieran Tierney are injury doubts and may miss Lyon’s visit.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Lyon (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Calafiori, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Trossard.

A familiar face makes his Emirates return this weekend, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles likely to receive a warm welcome from the Arsenal crowd. He scored in Lyon’s recent 4-0 win over Union Berlin, as did former West Ham winger Said Benrahma.

Orel Mangala and Moussa Niakhate, summer signings from Nottingham Forest, are likely to feature, while Gift Orban, who was linked to Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham previously, will likely lead the line.

Alexandre Lacazette won’t get the opportunity to show his face at his old stomping ground as he has been representing France at the Paris Olympics.

Lyon predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-1-4-1): Perri; Mata, Caleta-Car, Niakhate, Kumbedi; Matic; Maitland-Niles, Mangala, Caqueret, Benrahma; Orban.

Arsenal looked reinvigorated against Bayer Leverkusen and should bring a similar swagger to their clash with Lyon on Sunday. With all their summer absentees now available and sharpening up ahead of the new season, the Gunners could fill their boots at the Emirates.

The Premier League’s most stubborn defence in 2023/24 will likely prove just as stoic as ever, offering Mikel Arteta’s side an important confidence boost ahead of their domestic opener against Wolves.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Lyon

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