THE Emirates Cup makes a welcome return this weekend, and Mesut Ozil says it is “very important” for the Arsenal players to test themselves against Europe’s elite.

The Gunners will continue their preparations for the new season by welcoming Portuguese champions Benfica, Bundesliga side RB Leipzig and La Liga outfit Sevilla to north London.

The hosts will play Benfica on Saturday and Sevilla on Sunday, and Ozil believes it will provide them with the perfect chance to see just how well their training is going so far.

Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil 

“We want to test ourselves against big teams and if we play against strong opponents where we can show what we can do, it does the team good,” he told Arsenal Player. “They are two technically-gifted teams who will give everything. Our aim has to be to get positive results against them and that’s what we want to do in the Emirates Cup.”

Meanwhile Arsene Wenger believes the competition is the perfect showpiece for supporters.

The Arsenal boss said he is glad to see the Emirates Cup return after the pre-season tournament was cancelled last summer due to an extended Euro 2016 and “essential pitch reconstruction works”.

“I am excited because I find it is always a good way to greet your fans ahead of the new season in a relaxed atmosphere,” Wenger said.

“There is less pressure and everyone can enjoy it and look at the young players coming up and the new players coming in. It is a great two days. I missed it last year. I am very happy to have it back again as I was very sad we couldn’t organise it last year.”