Emirates Cup
A coloured photograph of the Arsenal squad standing on a podium, celebrating their fourth Emirates Cup win.
Arsenal celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2015 Emirates Cup.
Founded2007; 17 years ago (2007)
Number of teams2 (men's)
2 (women's)
Current championsEngland Arsenal (7th men's title)
Germany Bayern Munich (1st women's title)
Most successful club(s)England Arsenal (7 men's titles)
Germany Bayern Munich (1 women's title)
WebsiteOfficial homepage

The Emirates Cup is a pre-season association football invitational competition hosted by English club Arsenal at their home ground, Emirates Stadium, in Holloway, London. The two-day competition was inaugurated in 2007 and is named after Arsenal's main sponsor, Emirates.[1] It has been held every summer except 2012 due to the London Olympics, 2016 because of pitch renovation work, 2018 because of stadium building work, and 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The competition in its first decade followed a point scoring system much like the Amsterdam Tournament, whereby each team played two matches, with three points awarded for a win, one point for a draw and none for a loss.[2] An additional point is awarded for every goal scored; this was scrapped in 2011,[3] but made a return from the 2013 edition.[4] From 2009, total shots on target throughout the tournament has been used as a tiebreaker if teams are tied on points, goal difference and goals scored.[5] Since 2019, the Emirates Cup has been shortened to a one-day tournament with the inclusion of Arsenal Women.

Arsenal won the inaugural tournament in 2007, and further wins followed in 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2022, and most recently 2023. Five other sides have won the Emirates Cup: Hamburg in 2008, New York Red Bulls in 2011, Galatasaray in 2013, Valencia in 2014 and Lyon in 2019. Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain are the most regular guests, both having been invited to compete in the tournament on three occasions; Lyon won the tournament and finished as runners-up once, while PSG finished as runners-up twice.

Arsenal are the current champions, having defeated Monaco in the 2023 tournament.[6]

History

Arsenal first announced their intention to stage a pre-season competition at their home ground, the Emirates Stadium, in March 2007. Managing director Keith Edelman revealed plans were at an exploratory stage, and added: "It would be in pre-season, around late July, and tickets would be reasonably priced. We feel it could be a really exciting event."[7] Details of the tournament were formally announced on 1 May 2007, with Italian champions Inter Milan, French side Paris Saint-Germain and German outfit Hamburg confirmed as participants.[8] Hamburg's qualification into the UEFA Intertoto Cup meant they withdrew from the competition; the club were subsequently replaced by Spain's Valencia.[9]

A near-capacity crowd watch Arsenal play Real Madrid on the second and final day of the pre-season tournament.
A wide shot of the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal faced Real Madrid in 2008.

The inaugural Emirates Cup took place on 28 July and 29 July 2007 and was well attended with over 110,000 people filling the stadium across the two-day tournament.[10] Each club played two sides; Valencia and Arsenal did not face each other, and Inter did not play against Paris Saint-Germain.[9] Arsenal won the first tournament, having beaten their French opponents 2–1 and defeated Inter by the same scoreline, courtesy of a late strike by Robin van Persie .[11] The following year Hamburg made an appearance alongside Real Madrid and Juventus,[12] and won the tournament as they finished two points clear of second-place Real.[13]

In 2009, Arsenal welcomed Atlético Madrid, Rangers and Paris Saint-Germain to the Emirates Cup.[14] The hosts regained the trophy winning both of their matches and scoring five goals; midfielder Jack Wilshere was twice named man of the match for his performances against Atlético Madrid and Rangers.[13] Arsenal retained the Emirates Cup in 2010, but failed to top the table in the next three tournaments.[13] New York Red Bulls, who were captained by former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, won the Emirates Cup in 2011, after beating Paris Saint-Germain and drawing with the hosts.[15] The tournament did not take place in 2012 due to the ongoing Summer Olympics in London; it was believed that the capital's infrastructure was not able to cater for the extra 100,000 supporters that usually attend the two-day event.[16] When the Emirates Cup resumed in 2013, Turkish side Galatasaray earned nine points to finish top of the group,[17] and a year later Valencia became the first Spanish winners of the tournament as the hosts lost their decisive game against Monaco.[18]

Arsenal claimed their fourth Emirates Cup in 2015;[19] the competition was held on the final weekend of July.[20] The hosts scored seven goals in the tournament – six against Lyon, who later became the first team in the competition's history not to score a goal in either of their matches.[21] Due to the extended schedule of UEFA Euro 2016 and essential pitch reconstruction works at the Emirates Stadium, the Emirates Cup did not take place in the pre-season period of the 2016–17 season.[22] Two years later, stadium building work meant that once again the tournament did not take place; Arsenal instead played pre-season matches in the International Champions Cup.[23]

The competition returned in 2019 with Arsenal Women featuring for the first time in the pre-season tournament, where they faced Bayern Munich. In the men's tournament, Lyon defeated Arsenal 2–1 to win their first title.[24] The 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[25]

Tournaments

A coloured photograph of the Arsenal players celebrating their first Emirates Cup win.
Arsenal won the inaugural Emirates Cup held in 2007.
Emirates Cup – Men's tournament results
Ed. Year Winner Runner-up Third Fourth Ref.
1 2007 England Arsenal France Paris Saint-Germain Spain Valencia Italy Inter Milan [26]
2 2008 Germany Hamburger SV Spain Real Madrid England Arsenal Italy Juventus [27]
3 2009 England Arsenal (2) Scotland Rangers Spain Atlético Madrid France Paris Saint-Germain [28]
4 2010 England Arsenal (3) France Lyon Scotland Celtic Italy Milan [29]
5 2011 United States New York Red Bulls France Paris Saint-Germain England Arsenal Argentina Boca Juniors [30]
6 2013 Turkey Galatasaray Portugal Porto England Arsenal Italy Napoli [31]
7 2014 Spain Valencia England Arsenal France Monaco Portugal Benfica [32]
8 2015 England Arsenal (4) Spain Villarreal Germany VfL Wolfsburg France Lyon [33]
9 2017 England Arsenal (5) Spain Sevilla Germany RB Leipzig Portugal Benfica [34]
10 2019 France Lyon England Arsenal — [35]
11 2022 England Arsenal (6) Spain Sevilla — [36]
12 2023 England Arsenal (7) France Monaco — [6]
Emirates Cup – Women's tournament results
Ed. Year Winner Score Runner-up Ref.
1 2019 Germany Bayern Munich 1–0 England Arsenal [35]

Performance by team

A coloured photograph of the Galatasaray squad standing on the podium and celebrating their Emirates Cup win.
Galatasaray was the first Turkish club to win the Emirates Cup.
Teammates Sergio Agüero and Diego Forlán training at the Emirates Stadium side by side.
Sergio Agüero and Diego Forlán featured in the 2009 edition of the Emirates Cup for Atlético Madrid.
A coloured photograph of manager Rafael Benítez standing on the stadium touchline.
Rafael Benítez managed Napoli in the tournament.[37]

Men's

Men's Emirates Cup statistics
Team Winner Runner-up Third Fourth Total
England Arsenal 7 2 3 — 12
France Lyon 1 1 — 1 3
Spain Valencia 1 — 1 — 2
Turkey Galatasaray 1 — — — 1
Germany Hamburger SV 1 — — — 1
United States New York Red Bulls 1 — — — 1
France Paris Saint-Germain — 2 — 1 3
Spain Sevilla — 2 — — 2
France Monaco — 1 1 — 2
Portugal Porto — 1 — — 1
Scotland Rangers — 1 — — 1
Spain Real Madrid — 1 — — 1
Spain Villarreal — 1 — — 1
Spain Atlético Madrid — — 1 — 1
Scotland Celtic — — 1 — 1
Germany RB Leipzig — — 1 — 1
Germany VfL Wolfsburg — — 1 — 1
Portugal Benfica — — — 2 2
Argentina Boca Juniors — — — 1 1
Italy Internazionale — — — 1 1
Italy Juventus — — — 1 1
Italy Milan — — — 1 1
Italy Napoli — — — 1 1

Women's

Women's Emirates Cup statistics
Team Winner Runner-up Total
Germany Bayern Munich 1 — 1
England Arsenal — 1 1

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Emirates Cup". Emirates. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  2. ^ "Emirates Cup – Competition rules & regulations". Arsenal F.C. 27 July 2007. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  3. ^ "Emirates Cup 2011 – Rules and Regulations". Arsenal F.C. 29 July 2011. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  4. ^ "Emirates Cup returns for summer 2013". Arsenal F.C. 15 May 2013. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  5. ^ "Wenger – Goals galore at the Emirates Cup". Arsenal F.C. 28 July 2009. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  6. ^ a b Rogers, Jonathon (2 August 2023). "Report: Arsenal 1–1 Monaco (5–4 pens)". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  7. ^ Clarke, Richard (29 March 2007). "Pre-season tournament planned for Emirates". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  8. ^ "Emirates Stadium to host pre-season tournament". Arsenal F.C. 1 May 2007. Archived from the original on 3 May 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Valencia replace Hamburg at Emirates Cup". Arsenal F.C. 11 June 2007. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  10. ^ "Emirates Cup brings out the big guns". Emirates. 21 April 2008. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  11. ^ Clarke, Richard (29 July 2007). "Emirates Cup: Arsenal 2–1 Inter Milan". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  12. ^ "European giants lined up for Emirates Cup". Arsenal F.C. 7 April 2008. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  13. ^ a b c "History of the Emirates Cup". Arsenal F.C. 22 July 2015. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  14. ^ "Emirates Cup 2009 – Teams confirmed". Arsenal F.C. 8 May 2009. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  15. ^ Prince-Wright, Joe (31 July 2011). "Recap: Henry, New York tie Arsenal, take Emirates Cup". New York Red Bulls. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  16. ^ "Emirates Cup is postponed until 2013". Arsenal F.C. 6 December 2011. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  17. ^ Clarke, Richard (4 August 2013). "Arsenal 1–2 Galatasaray". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  18. ^ "Arsenal beaten 1–0 by Monaco as Valencia win the Emirates Cup". BBC Sport. 3 August 2014. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  19. ^ "Arsenal defeat Wolfsburg to secure the Emirates Cup". BBC Sport. 26 July 2015. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  20. ^ "Emirates Cup 2015 line up confirmed". Arsenal F.C. 18 May 2015. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  21. ^ Ciullini, Pablo; Saaid, Hamdan (10 September 2015). "Emirates Cup". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2016. Note: Compare goals conceded in the 2015 final standings table with other tournaments.
  22. ^ "No Arsenal Emirates Cup this summer". Arsenal F.C. 18 April 2016. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  23. ^ Yousif, Layth (17 April 2018). "Arsenal to play Atletico Madrid and PSG in Singapore". Islington Gazette. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  24. ^ Tweedale, Alistair (28 July 2019). "Arsenal throw away half-time lead as Moussa Dembele fires Lyon to Emirates Cup victory". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 18 September 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  25. ^ James, Josh (31 July 2023). "The complete history of the Emirates Cup". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  26. ^ Saaid, Hamdan (10 September 2015). "Emirates Cup 2007". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  27. ^ Saaid, Hamdan (10 September 2015). "Emirates Cup 2008". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  28. ^ Ciullini, Pablo (10 September 2015). "Emirates Cup 2009". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  29. ^ Ciullini, Pablo (10 September 2015). "Emirates Cup 2010". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  30. ^ Ciullini, Pablo (10 September 2015). "Emirates Cup 2011". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  31. ^ Ciullini, Pablo (10 September 2015). "Emirates Cup 2013". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  32. ^ Ciullini, Pablo (10 September 2015). "Emirates Cup 2014". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  33. ^ Ciullini, Pablo (10 September 2015). "Emirates Cup 2015". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  34. ^ "Arsenal win Emirates Cup despite lesser wins than Sevilla". The Indian Express. Mumbai. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  35. ^ a b "Lyon beat Arsenal in friendly; Lacazette injured". ESPN. 28 July 2019. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  36. ^ Blitz, Sam (30 July 2022). "Arsenal 6–0 Sevilla: Gabriel Jesus scores hat-trick as Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah round off Emirates Cup thrashing". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  37. ^ Hytner, David (3 August 2013). "Arsenal turn boos to cheers after coming back to draw with Napoli". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Emirates Cup.

Emirates Cup
International friendly association football tournaments in England
Arsenal Football Club
Categories