The Emirates Cup this year looks to be quite an exciting one as all four teams - Arsenal, FC Porto, Galatasaray and Napoli - have qualified for next season’s Champions League.

In the Emirates Cup each team plays two games, Napoli and Galatasaray in Arsenal’s case. Three points for a win, one for a draw and a point for every goal scored, though, in 2011 the extra point per goal rule was removed. But the rule is back again and rewards attacking play, with teams being awarded one point for each goal they score.

It is an exciting tournament for both the players and fans as it is a chance to win a trophy and enjoy playing against top competition. In a recent interview with arsenal.com, Jack Wilshere revealed that the team is very excited for the Emirates cup.

“We missed it last year. It seemed like something was missing from pre-season.”

The last Emirates Cup in 2011 saw the first MLS team in the tournament, the New York Red Bulls, and Arsenal Legend Thierry Henry take home the trophy.

The Teams

Napoli are proving to be especially ambitious this summer despite being weakened by the departure of Edinson Cavani to PSG, as they have signed former Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuaín, José Callejón and Raúl Albiol from Real Madrid. They also signed Belgian left winger Dries Mertens as well as Pepe Reina on loan from Liverpool.

Former Arsenal player Emanuel Eboue, or King Eboue, as he frequently calls himself on twitter, will return to the Emirates this weekend with Galatasaray who will also prove to be stiff competition. Galatasaray have Wesley Sneijder, Arsenal nightmare Didier Drogba and last season’s Champions League sensation, Burak Yilmaz.

FC Porto are trying to cope with the loss of both James Rodríguez and Joāo Moutinho to AS Monaco. They have signed Mexican midfielder Héctor Herrera, but we will just have to wait and see with them.

Hosts Arsenal will most likely enter with only youngster Yaya Sanogo to show, as he has been the Gunners’ only transfer business of the summer, aside from the removal of the deadwood from the side. It will be an exciting test for many of Arsenal’s up and coming players like Serge Gnabry, Chuba Akpom and Gedion Zelalem who will surely continue to impress.

Prediction

There is no clear winner as all four teams have been in scintillating form this pre-season and all are Champions League sides. I believe Arsenal v Napoli will be the key game, as they will be fighting for first and second.

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