Pre-season friendlies are usually when clubs unleash their young players, to see what they can do. The Emirates Cup is no different and many big players have appeared at the Emirates Cup in their youth, these are just a few. 

Mario Balotelli

In the inaugural 2007 tournament an unknown 17-year-old called Mario Barwuah lined up against Arsenal. Mario had just moved to Inter from Italian minnows Lumezzane and was four months away from making his professional debut for Inter. His competitive debut brought him wider exposure to the world and he just continued to improve. He changed his name as well, to Mario Balotelli. Balotelli was no stranger on the Emirates pitch and went on to play their as a Manchester City player. He now plays for Inter's crosstown rivals, AC Milan but has been linked to Arsenal many times this transfer window.   

Juan Mata

The same year that Balotelli first graced the Emirates pitch, a young Spainard also played as well. Juan Mata played the second half of the first ever Emirates Cup game, where Valencia beat Inter Milan. The recent arrival from Real Madrid's 'B' team also played in the second game against Paris Saint-German. Four years later, Arsenal would try to sign Juan Mata but he decided to move to Chelsea. He, like Balotelli, has played at the Emirates Stadium many times since the 2007 Emirates Cup, for Chelsea and now Manchester United

Vincent Kompany 

In 2008 Vincent Kompany played at the Emirates for the first time, when he turned out for Hamburg aged 22. He won that Emirates Cup and it was his first of many trophies on English soil. He was just three weeks away from a permanent move to England, Manchester City bought him for £6 million. He was a big prospect back then and he has since blossomed into one of the worlds best centre-backs.   

Sergio Aguero

Like Kompany, the secret was most certainly out of the bag when Aguero played in the 2009 tournament. Atletico Madrid's record signing scored one goal, a penalty against PSG, as his side finished third, behind Arsenal and Rangers. His move to Manchester City two years later made him an even more familiar face in English football and his Emirates Cup game was only the first of many games on the Emirates pitch for the Argentinian. 

Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere made his home debut in the 2008 Emirates Cup, against the mighty Real Madrid. The 16-year-old came on as a second half substitute and produced one of the most iconic images of that tournament. Wilshere, only just introduced from the bench, went head to head with Michel Salgado. The veteran right-back was left floored as he bounced off Wilshere in an incident the told plenty about Wilshere's ability and desire. Wilshere has gone on to make many more appearances at the Emirates Stadium and there should be many more to come. 

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