Arsenal extend pre-season schedule

Arsenal have announced further pre-season fixtures following their planned tours of Asia and Africa.

The Gunners will participate in the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup, a competition played at Southampton’s St Mary’s stadium in honour of the Saints’ former chairman.

Liebherr rescued the club from administration in 2009, securing their position in League One and winning the Football League Trophy.

The Swiss construction magnate died of a heart attack in August 2010, before the club completed back-to-back promotions to reach the Premier League this year.

The round-robin tournament will also feature Scottish Premier League runners-up Rangers, who are currently embroiled in a fight to secure their financial future, and will be played on July 14.

The Olympic Torch will be brought to the stadium during the competition and will be displayed during a lap of the pitch.

The club have also announced that their youth team will play a pre-season fixture against Stevenage on July 28.