While the Arsenal players enjoy a summer off from football before returning to pre-season, several top European clubs are set to compete in the new version of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The tournament kicks off on Sunday, with 32 teams from around the world competing in the United States for the piece of silverware.
Arsenal could qualify for the next Club World Cup, which takes place in 2029, although given the exhaustion it may cause players, Mikel Arteta may actually hope his team doesn’t have to take part in the new competition.
Several Andrea Berta transfer targets are set to feature in the tournament, allowing the Italian sporting director to scout these players.
Fabio Vieira is part of Porto’s squad and will return to London Colney when the Primeira Liga outfit’s exploits in the US come to an end.
Aside from the Portuguese playmaker, from an Arsenal standpoint, there are just five players who have played for the Gunners who will take part.
With that said, here they are and here’s how you can watch them.
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Serge Gnabry – Bayern Munich
Serge Gnabry left Arsenal for Werder Bremen in 2016, after hardly featuring for the Gunners under Arsene Wenger.
The German has made an excellent career for himself at Bayern Munich, and will be vying for his 15th trophy with the Bundesliga giants this summer.
- Bayern Munich vs Auckland City – 15 June – 5pm (BST) – Channel 5
- Bayern Munich vs Boca Juniors – 21 June – 2am (BST) – Channel 5
- Benfica vs Bayern Munich – 24 June – 8pm (BST) – DAZN
Jorginho – Flamengo
Jorginho joined Flamengo this summer, after leaving the Gunners as his contract expired.
Arsenal have reportedly received a minimal fee from the Brazilian club, so that the Italian is able to play in the Club World Cup.
- Flamengo vs Esperance de Tunis – 17 June – 2am (BST) – DAZN
- Flamengo vs Chelsea – 20 June – 7pm (BST) – DAZN
- Los Angeles FC vs Flamengo – 25 June – 2am (BST) – DAZN
Olivier Giroud – LAFC
Set to play against Jorginho in the competition, and against his former club Chelsea, is ex-Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.
The Frenchman scored over 100 goals for Arsenal between 2012 and 2018, and is now the talisman for Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC, after departing AC Milan last summer.
- Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC – 16 June – 8pm (BST) – Channel 5
- Los Angeles FC vs Esperance de Tunis – 20 June – 11pm (BST) – DAZN
- Los Angeles FC vs Flamengo – 25 June – 2am (BST) – DAZN
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Inter Milan
Fresh off the back of a humiliating Champions League final defeat, 36-year-old Henrikh Mkhitaryan is set to play a starring role for Inter Milan at the Club World Cup.
Enjoying a career revival at Roma and Inter in Italy since his poor spell in North London, the Armenian is still expected to start for the Serie A giants, despite his age and playing regularly in a gruelling 2024/25 season.
- Monterrey vs Inter Milan – 18 June – 2am (BST) – DAZN
- Inter Milan vs Urawa Red Diamonds – 21 June – 8pm (BST) – DAZN
- Inter Milan vs River Plate – 26 June – 2am (BST) – DAZN
Dani Ceballos – Real Madrid
Much to many Gunners supporters’ surprise, Dani Ceballos remains a Real Madrid player after enjoying back-to-back seasons on loan at Arsenal between 2019 and 2021.
The Spaniard is unlikely to start for Los Blancos, although how heavily he features will show him how prominent a role he can expect to play under new manager Xabi Alonso.
- Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal – 18 June – 8pm (BST) – Channel 5
- Real Madrid vs Pachuca – 22 June – 8pm (BST) – DAZN
- RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid – 27 June – 2am (BST) – DAZN
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