Arsenal vs Hibernian: 5 players to look out for in pre-season clash

2. Omar Rekik – Centre-Back

Having gone into the summer window feeling there was no great need for a centre-back (there was), or at least that it wasn’t a priority position, Arsenal are now kicking off their pre-season preparations with…two of them. At least senior options, that is.

With William Saliba touching down in Marseille on Tuesday as he edges closer to signing a season-long loan deal with the Ligue 1 side that includes no option to buy, and with Gabriel out for an undisclosed length of time with a knee injury, Arsenal are short.

Ben White is a move that will be ramped up now the Euros are over but even if he does sign as expected he will earn some time off given England’s route to the final. He may not have played a single minute but he was still training every day just like Saka.

All of which leaves Rob Holding and Pablo Mari left. Being the only senior options for the Scotland tour it opens the door for Omar Rekik to make his non-competitive first team debut.

Joining Arsenal back in January, Rekik only made one appearance for the Under-23’s due to injury but is still very highly rated at London Colney. Just 19 years old, he already has a senior cap for Tunisia and comes into pre-season fully fit.

Set to be primarily an Under-23 selection next season, the chance to impress Arteta against Hibernian and Rangers could help his chances of senior squad inclusions for future FA Cup and Carabao Cup matches.