FC Barcelona have reached a midway point in their pre-season campaign as they get ready to host Arsenal for the Joan Gamper trophy.
The two European giants will go head to head on Sunday at Camp Nou in what will be the Gunners’ final preparatory game ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.
The Catalan club earlier played two of their five pre-season fixtures in Japan against Chelsea and Vissel Kobe.
After the clash against the north London outfit, the Blaugrana are supposed to fly out to the United States for their final two games against Napoli for the La Liga-Serie A cup.
Barca’s first game at the Camp Nou will also see new signings Antoine Griezmann, Frenkie de Jong, and Neto Murara possibly making their home debuts.
Barcelona Team News
Luis Suarez, Arthur Melo, and Moussa Wague have all returned early from their holiday break, with the Senegalese International earning his promotion to the senior squad.
However, Lionel Messi will once again be missing from the dressing room following his holiday break after his exploits with Argentina in the Copa America in Brazil.
Gerard Pique has also returned to training after missing the game against Vissel Kobe because of a minor injury scare.
Predicted Barcelona Lineup vs Arsenal (4-3-3)
Defence
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is likely to feature between the sticks with the defensive cover of the youngster Jean Clair Todibo and Samuel Umtiti shielding the Barcelona goal.
The newly promoted member of the senior squad, Wague is expected to take charge of the proceedings in the right-back position.
With close to zero competition for the left full-back role, Jordi Alba should start.
Midfield
Copa America winner, Arthur, is likely to start the game as he gets ready for his first minutes of the pre-season.
Sergio Busquets and de Jong are likely to form a midfield trident with the Brazilian for the clash against the Gunners.
The Spanish-Dutch duo haven’t started a single game so far, and the money is on the pair with manager Ernesto Valverde likely to try out this hot combination in the midfield.
Attack
A front trio of Suarez, Griezmann, and Ousmane Dembele is pretty likely with Messi still unavailable.
Here is how they might line up:
