The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers will play their first international marquee match against English Premier League giants Arsenal FC tonight at ANZ Stadium.
Limited tickets are still available here.
Another full house will be in attendance to see what should be another cracking clash in Sydney’s west.
It is predicted that Wanderers new marquee Oriol Riera will make his club debut – probably off the bench – for Tony Popovic’s side.
The match will be the first chance for Wanderers fans to see new recruits Josh Risdon, Michael Thwaite and Roly Bonevacia in action.
Arsenal’s record signing Alexandre Lacazette could also make a start in this clash alongside Olivier Giroud in attack after scoring on his debut on Thursday night against the Sky Blues.
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID
Arsene Wenger
“It’s important [Alexandre Lacazette] gets that [goalscoring duck] off his shoulders because you’re expected to score as a striker.
“So you could see he was happy [to score against Sydney FC].
“But what we look for is basically to play at a good pace… and for long periods in the game that was quite good for us and a game with a tough opposition and they did fight for every ball.”
Tony Popovic
“It’s very early in our pre-season but a game like this always helps the players, and to test themselves against the best.
“For a lot of our young players they’ll be coming up against their idols and they get a chance to showcase themselves and showcase Australian football.
“Hopefully we can show Arsenal how football has progressed in this country and hopefully they’ll take away fond memories of their time here.”
Arsenal vs Western Sydney Wanderers
ANZ Stadium
Kick-off: 8:00pm
This article was originally published at: www.a-league.com.au/article/preview-arsenal-v-western-sydney-wanderers/qmxmah7hffwc1vj5z2ueucprx
