Joan Gamper Trophy: How to watch Barcelona vs Arsenal live on August 04, 2019

August 3, 2019 By Ali M.

Topics: TV SCHEDULES, BARCELONA, ARSENAL, JOAN GAMPER TROPHY

Barcelona and Arsenal will lock horns for this pre-season trophy. Check out our match preview for more info.

What is the form of Arsenal compared to Barcelona?

Barcelona have played only two friendly games so far during the pre-season. Their first tie saw them take on and lose to Chelsea before earning a 2-0 win over Iniesta’s Vissel Kobe.

As for the Gunners, they have been involved in six pre-season games, winning all but two of those ties. They overcame the likes of Colorado Rapids, Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, and Angers but lost to Real Madrid on penalties and Lyon in the Emirates Cup.

Barcelona vs Arsenal head-to-head record

These two sides have met nine times in history, with all those encounters coming in the Champions League. Their first two showdowns came back in 1999 while six of their meetings took place between 2010 and 2006. Unsurprisingly, Barcelona boast a near-perfect record.

Games played: 9

Barcelona wins: 6

Arsenal wins: 1

Draws: 2

Team news

Lionel Messi remains absent from the squad. The Argentine is still on summer holiday after his Copa America campaign with Argentina; however, fellow South American Luis Suarez has joined up with the team. Expect Frenkie de Jong and Antoine Griezmann to feature as they prepare for their first season with the Blaugrana.

All eyes will be on Nicolas Pepe ahead of this game. The Ivorian completed a club-record transfer to Arsenal and fans are eagerly awaiting his debut for the Gunners. Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac are expected to return to the squad, as well as Lucas Torreira, having returned from his holiday.

Players to watch

Nicolas Pepe

The jury is still out on whether he will start or not, but the odds of him making his debut in this game are high. Given that the new season is right around the corner, Emery will want to give the club’s record signing playing time. He scored a whopping 22 goals last season in Ligue 1, finishing behind only Mbappe in the Golden Boot race, and thus has Gooners excited.

Antoine Griezmann

Valverde sang Griezmann’s praises after their win over Vissel Kobe but the Frenchman is yet to score for the club. He has only played in two games but the World Cup winner will be eager to open his goalscoring account nonetheless. One positive note is that he has scored against Arsenal before, netting the equalizer in their Emirates Stadium Europa League semi-final clash from two seasons back.