The seventh Annual Emirates Cup gets underway this weekend. Arsenal will be joined this year by Monaco, Benfica and Valencia. This has been a major part of Arsenal's pre-season since they left Highbury in 2007. Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis said: “We’re delighted to once again be hosting the Emirates Cup in August. This will be the seventh staging of the Emirates Cup and it has proved to be an overwhelming success and a thoroughly enjoyable weekend of football. 

The tournament kicks-off on Saturday August 2 with Valencia playing AS Monaco and Arsenal taking on Benfica. Then on Sunday August 3 Valencia play Benfica and Arsenal take on manager Arsene Wenger's former club AS Monaco.

Not only does the tournament offer supporters the first chance to see the team play at Emirates Stadium before the start of the new season, it will of course also provide a very competitive level of preparation for all the teams ahead of the 2014/2015 season.

Every team involved in the Emirates Cup will be out to prove a point to their respective leagues. This year's Emirates Cup will hopefully have some major stars from each of the particpating clubs with the likes of Falcao, Sofiane Feghouli and Oscar Cardozo all hoping to take part in this tournament. 

Emirates divisional senior vice president, corporate communications Boutros Boutros said "The competition has always been a great way for the Arsenal team to prepare for the start of the new season and also for the fans to enjoy two days of high quality pre-season football at Emirates Stadium. The Emirates Cup is a chance for the new signings to make an impression on the fans."

The Emirates tournament is rather unique as much like a normal league teams will be awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw. However, the competition is also different as teams are rewarded for attacking play, with teams earning one point for each goal they score. In addition, shots on target will be taken into account and will be used to decide the tournament winners if teams are level on points and goal difference, with the winning team being presented with the Emirates Cup trophy after the second match on Sunday, August 3.

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