Although I can’t confirm my sources, I understand that this summer there are plans to host an ‘Amsterdam’ style tournament at Ashburton Grove. This will take place over the last weekend in July.

The tournament will be played in a different style to the Amsterdam tournament however, with there being two semi-final games on the Saturday, followed by the 3rd vs. 4th and final taking place on the Sunday.

Nothing has been set in stone as yet, but I think it’ll be likely we’ll see Colorado Rapids taking part in this tournament, along with two European clubs. The Amsterdam tournament will then take place the following week.

Pencil in the dates though, with the 28th and 29th of July hopefully being be the first time we see the likes of Ribery, Malouda, and Buffon in Arsenal shirts.

(Ed’s note – Quality info this, and given Arsenal’s financial state, it makes sense for them to increase revenue from pre-season use of the stadium, something that rarely happened in the latter years at Highbury. Oh and for those of you who are booking holidays and the like, this is not gospel until the club confirm it. We are just relaying what we believe to be reliable information as a pointer for those who might be interested in attending. One thing to note. Taking a look at the Rapids’ MLS fixture schedule - that weekend does appear to be a blank one for them. Draw your own conclusions!)