Arsenal players on Thursday boarded an Emirates A380 flight to Dubai ahead of their friendly match against Al Nasr next week. The Premier League side will take on the Dubai club on Wednesday, March 26 to <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/arsenal-to-play-al-nasr-to-mark-opening-of-new-al-maktoum-stadium-1.836092">mark the official opening of the refurbished Al Maktoum Stadium</a>. The bespoke decal showcases the Arsenal crest and features Lucas Torreira, Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alexandre Lacazette. Other Arsenal players pictured boarding the flight were Hector Bellerin, Petr Cech, Skhodran Mustafi and Danny Welbeck. Originally opened in 1981, Al Maktoum Stadium underwent a significant upgrade ahead of the Asian Cup earlier this year, when its capacity was increased to 15,000. The venue played host to six matches, including the quarter-final between Japan and Vietnam. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated Group D encounter between Iran and Iraq attracted a capacity crowd. Unai Emery's side, currently fourth in the Premier League, will spend the international break in the Emirates before returning to England to take on Newcastle United at home on Monday, April 1. Currently sitting 11th in the Arabian Gulf League after 17 rounds, Nasr are three-time UAE champions, although they have not captured the top-flight title since the 1985/86 season. At present, they are managed by Spaniard Benat San Jose, with former Sevilla, Manchester City and Spain striker Alvaro Negredo their captain. Tickets for the match start at Dh100 and will be available for purchase at Al Nasr Club as well as online at <a href="http://dubai.platinumlist.net/">dubai.platinumlist.net</a>.
