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Dubai: This weekend sees the return of the Emirates Cup with European giants Juventus and Real Madrid joining Emirates-sponsored teams, HSV Hamburg and Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in London.
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said he was looking forward to seeing his first-team players take on Europe's elite, adding: "We're really looking forward to continuing our pre-season preparations with the Emirates Cup.
"It's a great opportunity to play competitive football in front of a full stadium. We play Juventus and Real Madrid, who will definitely present us with a tough challenge on both days of the competition."
Press conferences featuring coaches and leading players from each team will take place tomorrow with the tournament kicking off the following day.
High-profile players
All four teams boast high-profile international s who will feature throughout the weekend's sell-out tournament. Arsenal supporters will also have the opportunity to see their first-team squad play ahead of the 2008/09 season.
The club are expecting 120,000 football fans over the weekend, with Sky Sports broadcasting all games live. The fixtures will also be screened around the world on Sky Sports's respective networks.
Emirates will have extensive coverage and brand presence throughout the stadium, including electronic pitch-side branding, match programmes, and media backdrops for all interviews and media areas.
Mike Simon, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, said, "Emirates has a strong, long-term partnership with Arsenal and we are looking forward to welcoming these big clubs to compete in our special pre-season tournament.
"We want the Emirates Cup to represent the ultimate benchmark in preparation for their upcoming season."
Fitness: Wenger's toure hope
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said yesterday he was hopeful that centreback Kolo Toure would be fit for the start of the new Premier League season in three weeks time after recovering from malaria.
The 27-year-old Ivory Coast international defender had a mild resurgence of the disease during Arsenal's pre-season training camp in Austria.
However he has returned to training and Wenger is optimistic he will be fit for Arsenal's first game of the season against West Bromwich Albion on August 16.
Wenger told Arsenal's website (www.arsenal.com): "Yes (he'll be ready).
"Kolo had a little resurgence of malaria. But he recovered quickly from it. In two days he was OK. He has started to practice now but it will take him another two weeks to play for us."
Arsenal complete their pre-season tour of Austria and Germany with a match against VfB Stuttgart today before playing Juventus and Real Madrid in the Emirates Cup in London on Saturday and Sunday.
— Reuters
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