Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says the Emirates Cup will be important to assess the fitness level of his players ahead of the FA Community Shield game against Chelsea.
The Gunners face Lyon on Saturday afternoon and Wolfsburg on Sunday, their last two friendly games of the summer.
They will then take on Chelsea on Sunday, August 2, hoping to retain the trophy having beaten Manchester City 3-0 at Wembley last year.
"Personally I love the Emirates Cup because it's competitive without having too much pressure on the games," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.
"It's the first time that we reunite with our fans in our local stadium and I find that great. It's always a sell-out, and gives opportunities to people who usually cannot come to watch the team.
"It is vital for preparation.
"The international players came back quite late on July 11, so when you think that they have less than four weeks to prepare for the first Premier League game, it's very short.
"The Emirates Cup on a preparation front is very important."
