The Emirates is set to host a mouth-watering pre-season friendly between Arsenal and Bundeslliga champions Bayer Leverkusen later tonight (Wednesday, August 7).

Prologue

Mikel Arteta will be catching up with old friend and foe Xabi Alonso in North London, after the former Liverpool midfielder steered his unfancied German side to an unpredecented unbeaten league and cup double last season.

Arteta's side have now shaken off their jetlag after flying back from their US tour, which took in three matches across America - and welcome the German champions at the Emirates as they gear up for the start of the new Premier League season. 

Former Gunner Granit Xhaka is set to return - as is ex-Arsenal Academy defender Nathan Teller, in this sold out clash. 

When is Arsenal v Bayer Leverkusen?

Arsenal v Bayer Leverkusen will take place tonight, Wednesday, August 7

Where to watch Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen

Arsenal v Bayer Leverkusen will not be shown on TV, but it will be available to watch live online.

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Arsenal TV. Kick-off is at 6pm BST, with coverage starting at 5pm.

Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via the official club app and website.

Arsenal say: Tickets for this star-studded fixture are sold out, but you can still catch all the action live on our channels by purchasing a Match Pass for just £6.99.

Team news

Arteta's Arsenal will be determined to go one better after two successive runners-up spots, after billionaire moneybags Manchester City pipped the Gunners to the title over the last two seasons.

Pep Guardiola's side will be aiming to land a fifth title in a row - but Arteta has other ideas. 

Arsenal, who ended up just two points behind City last season, have added talented Italy international Riccardo Calafiori to the squad, with the highly-rated defender putting pen to paper from Bologna in a £42 million deal last month.

Sporting director Edu then set about balancing their books by selling Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham for £27 million, in a deal which could reach up to £34m with add ons. 

While England's Euro 2024 stars Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka only returned to pre-season training at London Colney last week following thier exertions in Germany over the summer, we can expect to see Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus at some stage this evening, after their time at the European Championships and Copa America. 

Leverkusen team news

Star forward and one time Arsenal target Florian Wirtz - who was named Bundesliga Player of the Season last season - is expected to feature at the Emirates at some point during this prestigious friendly.

The 21-year-old scored 18 goals while providing 20 assists in all competitions for the club last term, while also featuring for hosts Germany during Euro 2024.  

Defender Jonathan Tah, midfielder Robert Andrich, left-back Alejandro Grimaldo are all expected to feature, along with wing-back Jeremie Frimpong.

Leverkusen history

Leverkusen were founded in 1904 by employees of the pharmaceutical company Bayer which is based in the city.

They first competed in the new national Bundesliga in 1979-80, where they have remained ever since.

In 1988, they secured the first major trophy in their history when winning the UEFA Cup against Espanyol.

The German Cup followed in 1993. However they were labelled “Neverkusen” at the start of the 21st century after finished runners-up four times - agonisingly losing the league title on the final day in 2000.

Despite a stellar side which included Michael Ballack, they then ended the 2001-02 campaign empty-handed when striving for an unprecedented treble - which included a Champions League final defeat at the hands of Real Madrid, featuring an outstanding strike by Zinedene Zidane. 

Boss Alonso arrived at Leverkusen in October 2022 to pick up the pieces after their worst start to a season since 1979.

The canny Spaniard eventually led the club to a sixth-place finish as well as reaching the Europa League semi-finals - prior to an annus mirablis last season in which the only game they lost was against Atalanta in the Europa League final in Dublin which prevented them from acheiving an historic treble.