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Arsenal are paving the way for Women’s Super League matches to be played as “double-headers” with first-team games to build on the success of the World Cup.

The Gunners, reigning WSL champions, will take on the Bayern Munich women's team in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium on July 28 as part of the club's familiar Emirates Cup pre-season tournament before Unai Emery's men play Lyon there later the same day.

The hope is that, if it goes down well, Arsenal will stage more of their women’s games at their main stadium around Premier League fixtures as a way of improving attendances and the profile of the WSL.

The “double-header” idea of playing women’s games before or after Premier League fixtures at clubs' main stadiums is being discussed at the top of the game to capitalise on the growth in popularity that has come with England’s Lionesses reaching a second straight World Cup semi-final this summer.

(Image: Getty)

Arsenal Women's manager Joe Montemurro said: “We are proud and excited to be to be playing at Emirates Stadium in the Emirates Cup this month. It’s one of the first times that a club has incorporated the men and women’s sides into a tournament, which we are proud of.

“This game will showcase some of the highest quality within women’s football and by playing this at the Emirates it will enable more Arsenal supporters to see them in action. We hope that this brings plenty of fans to this game and then hopefully there will be potential for more double header games this season at the Emirates Stadium.”

Arsenal won the WSL last season after a thrilling race with Chelsea and Manchester City, yet the average attendances throughout the division were largely around the 1,000 mark.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

There is also a push for more terrestrial TV coverage after England’s semi-final loss to the USA on Tuesday night got 11.3 million viewers on the BBC.

Other clubs are understood to be on board with the idea of playing “double headers” at their main stadiums, with the women's teams of Manchester United and Tottenham having been promoted to the top flight for the coming season.

The Premier League is also in discussions with the Football Association as to whether they should take over running the WSL to help develop it further, particularly to drive popularity and commercial and TV deals.

* For Emirates Cup information and to buy tickets,click here