Arsenal face J-League club Nagoya Grampus in a pre-season friendly at the Toyota Stadium. The match sees the return of Arsene Wenger to his former club. The Gunners' boss spent 18 months at Nagoya before joining the north London side in 1996.

Kanazaki Mu (C) and Kim Tae-hwan (R) and Yeo Hyo-jin
Reuters

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is scheduled for 11.30am BST. Live coverage is on ESPN and ESPN HD. Live text commentary will be available on the Premier League club's website and a replay on Arsenal Player after the game.

Overview

Nagoya Grampus will be eager to welcome their former manager but will want to end their excellent start to the pre-season. Arsenal have beaten the Indonesian and Vietnamese national teams in their last two games, scoring 14 goals in the process.

The Japanese are, arguably, a much better side than either Indonesia or Vietnam and their attack will be spearheaded by striker Joshua Kennedy, an Australian international who played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Nagoya's manager, Dragan Stojkovic, has a personal connection to Wenger as well. The ex-Yugoslavian international played under the Frenchman at the club and has done an excellent job since, leading them to a first J-League title in 2010; their previous best was second in 1996 under Wenger.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will be eager to continue their form and carry it into the start of the 2013/14 Premier League season. France international Olivier Giroud is in excellent form, with five goals from the last two games.

Youngsters Chuba Akpom, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ignasi Miquel have all found the back of the net as well. And England international Jack Wilshere made his first appearance of the pre-season, coming on as a substitute against Vietnam.

Spain internationals Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal have not travelled to Asia. The two have been granted additional leave after involvement in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in June. Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen is unavailable with a back problem and Ivory Coast international Gervinho has been left behind in London to sort out his future.

Team Form

Nagoya Grampus

    • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W W L W L
    • Last Match: Oita Trinita 1 - 2 Nagoya Grampus

Arsenal

    • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first):W W W W W
    • Last Match: Vietnam 1 - 7 Arsenal
Toyota London