Arsenal Announce Involvement in Markus Liebherr Cup This July

With the Emirates Cup postponed for 2012 due to its scheduled dates falling during the London Olympics, rendering transportation to the north London venue a logistical nightmare, Arsenal has been forced to look elsewhere for a local preseason tournament.

(The Emirates Cup is scheduled to resume in 2013, and Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis has said that plans are already in motion to bring "three high profile clubs" to that year's tournament.)

On July 1, the club announced through their official website that they had a replacement.

Arsenal will take part in the July 14 Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup, hosted by recently-promoted Premiership side Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium.

Arsenal will join Southampton and Scottish Premier League outfit Glasgow Rangers in a round-robin tournament of three games, each of which will last 45 minutes.

Following Southampton and Rangers kicking off the proceedings, there will be a procession of the Olympic torch around St. Mary's Stadium before Arsenal face Rangers for a 6:45 p.m. (local time) kickoff.

Arsenal will then finish off the tournament against Southampton in an 8 p.m. match.

The tournament comes 10 days before the start of Arsenal's second consecutive preseason tour of Asia. The Gunners are scheduled to play one match each in Malaysia, China and Hong Kong.