Cherries confirm plans for pre-season friendly against Arsenal

CHERRIES have confirmed they will face Arsenal in a pre-season friendly.

The two Premier League clubs will go head-to-head during their respective summer tours of the USA.

Cherries begin their pre-season schedule against League One Wrexham on Saturday, July 20.

They will then take on Mikel Arteta’s Gunners on Wednesday, July 24 in California (7.30pm local time), before returning to England.

The game will take place at Dignity Health Sports Park, home of LA Galaxy, south of downtown Los Angeles.

Pre-sale tickets are available from 6pm UK time on July 1, for Cherries season ticket holders, those with 19 or more home points or anyone who previously registered their interest in attending the pre-season tour.

General sale will then follow at 6pm on Monday.

Cherries chief executive Neill Blake said: "We're delighted to announce this match and to confirm the final plans of our Bourne in the USA tour this month.

“Arsenal will no doubt provide Andoni and the squad with stern opposition, as our pre-season schedule continues to build towards the beginning of the Premier League campaign.

"We're excited for the opportunity to play at Dignity Health Sports Park and to see both new and existing Cherries fans create a wonderful atmosphere at such a great stadium."

Upon returning from America, Cherries will host La Liga side Rayo Vallecano (August 4) and Girona (August 10), ahead of the Premier League opener at Nottingham Forest (August 17).

Arsenal, who finished second in the league last season and beat Cherries twice, face Manchester United and Liverpool in the US, after taking on Iraola’s side.