Arsenal to play in 2018 International Champions Cup

Edit: last year, the International Champions Cup featured games in China and Singapore as well. While we were not able to find any indication that there will be games outside the U.S. this year, it remains a possibility. The article has been updated to reflect the fact that

U.S.-based Gooners rejoice! Arsenal have been confirmed as participants in the 2018 International Champions Cup, a preseason tournament hosted in various cities in the United States and around the world. The Gunners last visited the States before the 2016-17 season when they played the MLS All-Stars and Chivas Guadalajara in California.

With the World Cup this summer, the ICC will not feature players who participated in the World Cup because they will be resting / recovering for the club season. That means that players like Mesut Özil, Granit Xhaka, Laurent Koscielny, Jack Wilshere (maybe, if he’s even still an Arsenal man at that point...), and others will not be with the team. But it’s still a chance to watch Arsenal without having to fly across the Atlantic, and it’s an opportunity to see some of the young talent the club has waiting in the wings up close.

Tottenham is among the other teams participating in the tournament, creating the possibility of a North London Derby: U.S. Edition. The ICC has a history of bringing famous derbies to the U.S. - last year featured a Clasico and a Manchester Derby. There have also been reports that this year will feature a Bayern Munich - Borussia Dortmund match.

Ten teams have been confirmed so far with another 7 to be confirmed on April 12th and a final team to be confirmed on April 17th. The confirmed teams are: Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea, A.C. Milan, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Borussaia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Benfica.

We’ll be sure to update TSF as more information about the 2018 ICC becomes available.