The International Champions Cup returns to the Aviva Stadium this summer, with Arsenal and Chelsea set to meet in Dublin on August 1st. It will be the final game of pre-season for both sides, with Chelsea slated to face Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley four days later. Given the game's proximity to the beginning of the season, Ray Parlour said he was that confident both sides in Dublin would be close to full strength.
Absolutely, it is the game before the season starts. Arsene Wenger used to give the players four weeks off at least, but it is a new era for Arsenal with a new coach coming into the club. It's going to be interesting to see what he changes and he will be using this to get the team off to a good start. I am hoping that Emery gets off to a great start, and this game will be important in deciding who starts his first Premier League game.
The matches will mark the third time that the International Champions Cup comes to Ireland and the second time to the Aviva Stadium. In 2016, Barcelona beat Celtic 3-1 at the Aviva, while Inter Milan beat Celtic 2-0 at Thomond Park in Limerick.
This is the sixth installment of the International Champions Cup, a pre-season competition involving 18 of the best teams in the world, including all of the Premier League's Top Six along with Barcelona and Real Madrid. Games will be played across the U.S., Europe and Singapore.
Tickets for Arsenal/Chelsea go on sale from 11am this Friday, via Ticketmaster.
