Arsenal geared up for final preseason games

Arsenal will conclude their preseason warm up with friendly games in Scandinavia against Viking FK and Manchester City.

With the Premier League kicking off next week it's important for Arsenal to build some momentum. It's likely they will start the season with a depleted squad as players are just returning from their holidays so avoiding injury is key.

Ramsey and Alexis are back in the squad so there is a little more room for rotation but also a chance for other players to stake a claim and forge partnerships alongside nailed on starters.

First up is Viking FK at the Viking Stadion and Wenger is expected to name a youthful squad. The manager will have one eye on Sunday and the match against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City at the Ullevi Stadium.

A friendly match is not the best barometer with which to predict a season but it will give us an idea of where we need to strengthen, both tactically and in personnel. Manchester City have spent big again but we've shown in friendlies and competitive matches with them over the past few years that their financial prowess can be overcome.

City are blessed with many attacking talents and Guardiola is a master at getting those elements to click in devastating fashion. I can't see a boring draw here and expect plenty of ooh moments. Both teams have the offensive ability to hurt the other and the defensive frailty to let them in so it's worth looking at some btts tips to add a little armchair spice to a cordial affair.

It's an interesting match-up as historically, Wenger sides have found chinks in the armour of Guardiola sides. Arsenal will not have a recognised senior striker in the squad but they'll still fancy themselves to navigate a way through the City ranks. Alexis in particular may feel he has a point to prove to Guardiola so expect him to play at least an hour.

What team will play is a complete mystery as there is little in the way of experienced defence and Wenger will be wary of overplaying his young defenders and potentially embarrassing them against City by fielding a tired team. Promising new signing Rob Holding will play at least one full match and Krystian Bielik will have another opportunity to make the case for his conversion to a centreback. Jack Wilshere is missing but we might see Willock and Reine-Adelaide who has been promoted to the first-team.

The first hurdle is Viking sit in seventh place in the Norwegian league. They shouldn't prove difficult opponents for the Gunners, who will hope for a respectable goal haul.

We predict 4-0 for Arsenal against Viking and both teams to score in a narrow one goal win against City.

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