Wenger - Why I love the Emirates Cup

Arsene Wenger is eagerly anticipating the return of the Emirates Cup - a competition the Arsenal manager professes to "love".

Arsenal welcome Napoli, Galatasaray and Porto to north London over the weekend as the pre-season tournament kicks-off again after missing out during the Olympic year of 2012.

Wenger is also looking forward to returning to Emirates Stadium and says the vast majority of his squad will play a part over the course of the weekend.

“I am very happy because it is a tournament I love, and for different reasons,” he said.

“It is the first time we can touch with our fans in a more relaxed environment and it is also a good opportunity to give competition to every single player over two days - everybody could get 90 minutes. In the short time we have before the Premier League starts again, it is important."

Arsenal returned from the pre-season tour to Asia last week. Wenger was pleased with the workout his players received in the Far East and believes the squad are in good condition with the new season still two weeks away.

“The [Asia] tour was quite intense physically, especially the two games in Japan,” he said. “We have had a week to recover now from being jet lagged and to work now, but physically we should be all right.

“Considering we start in three weeks, I am pleased. We are at a reasonable level, especially because we have no big injuries.

“When you go on a tour like that for 17 days, it is a bit of a risk because of the change in pitches, temperatures, opponents. But everybody is quite fit - that is good news.”