Arsenal ‘to host Juventus next month in friendly during Qatar World Cup break’

Premier League leaders Arsenal will reportedly host Juventus in their final warm-up game before the Premier League season resumes on Boxing Day, while the Serie A side have also scheduled another meeting with Barcelona during the World Cup break.

The Gunners will face Juventus at the Emirates Stadium on December 17 Gianluca DiMarziowith the match taking place a day before the World Cup final in Qatar.

Mikel Arteta’s side will then resume their Premier League title attempt when they host West Ham United on Boxing Day.

The friendly against Juve follows Arsenal’s warm-weather training camp in the United Arab Emirates.

During this camp, the Gunners will also take part in the Dubai Super Cup, where they will face Ligue 1 side Lyon and reigning Serie A champions AC Milan on December 8 and 13 respectively.

Liverpool are also in the tournament, but will not face their Premier League rivals.

Arteta will hope to use Arsenal’s warm-up games to maintain his side’s momentum heading into the six-week break for the World Cup, having previously built a five-point lead over defending champions Manchester City.

Juventus also has a friendly against Barcelona scheduled for December 22 at the Allianz Stadium.

Six consecutive victories in Serie A saw the Turin club enter the break third in the Serie A table, 10 points behind leaders Napoli.

They will return to domestic action when they face Cremonese on January 4.

Meanwhile, Barcelona will resume the LaLiga season two points ahead of arch rivals Real Madrid in first place.

Both Barça and Juve remain supporters of the controversial European Super League, which collapsed in April last year.

Both sides will play Europa League football in the new year after crashing out of the Champions League group stage.