Football: Arsenal name near full-strength squad, including new signing Petr Cech, for Singapore visit

New signing Petr Cech is expected to make his first appearance for Arsenal in Singapore. PHOTO: EPA

Arsenal fans in Singapore are likely to be the first to catch new goalkeeper signing Petr Cech in action at the National Stadium next week.

The Guardian revealed that manager Arsene Wenger has named a near full-strength squad for the English Premier League club's pre-season visit, where they will compete against Stoke City, Everton and a Singapore Selection side in the Barclays Asia Trophy.

This includes Cech, 33, a 10-million-pound (S$20.8 million) arrival from fierce London rivals Chelsea late last month.

Other stars expected to turn out for the Gunners include Spanish playmaker Santi Cazorla, German World Cup-winning midfielder Mesut Ozil and England winger Theo Walcott.

Providing a glimpse of the future will be two youngsters from the club's academy - attacking midfielder Dan Crowley, 18, and forward Chris Willock, 17.

The only absentees are Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez and Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina, who were involved in the recently-concluded Copa America tournament.

The club's official website later confirmed that England striker Danny Welbeck and Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Rosicky will also miss the trip due to injury.

Arsenal, FA Cup winners last season, will play the Singapore Select XI on July 15 before facing either Stoke or Everton three days later.

Both teams have already named their squads, which feature the likes of England striker Peter Crouch, former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley and ex-Barcelona player Gerard Deulofeu.

Arsenal's 27-man squad (subject to change)

Goalkeepers: Wojciech Szczesny, Petr Cech, Emiliano Martinez

Defenders: Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Mathieu Debuchy, Gabriel, Kieran Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal

Midfielders: Gedion Zelalem, Jack Wilshere, Chris Willock, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Mathieu Flamini, Mikel Arteta, Dan Crowley

Forwards: Chuba Akpom, Olivier Giroud, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Theo Walcott

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