This week sees our pre-season preparations step up a level as we take on 1. FC Nurnberg on Thursday afternoon.

Just as we did a year ago, Mikel Arteta's side will take on the German second-tier side in friendly action as we tune up for the Premier League kick-off in a month's time, against a team that holds a special place in their nation’s footballing history.

To get you up to speed, here is everything you need to know about our opponents:

Quick snapshot

1. FC Nurnberg were formed in 1900 and currently ply their trade in the second tier of German football. A major force before the creation of the Bundesliga in the 1960s, they have won nine top-tier titles and four German Cups - the most recent in 2006/07.

The stadium

Nurnberg play at Max-Morlock Stadion, which opened in 1928 and has hosted their games since 1963. Named after the club’s legendary striker who represented his hometown team for 24 years, the 50,000-capacity venue hosted the 1967 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final between Bayern Munich and Rangers and five games at the 2006 World Cup, including England’s 2-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago.

The glory days

In the early part of their history, Nurnberg went unbeaten in 104 official matches between 1918 and 1922, leading them to be nicknamed Der Club. They would claim five league titles during the 1920s, and despite seeing their dominance slip in the years leading up to World War II, they remained a contender for league and cup honours on either side of the conflict.

Spearheaded by Morlock's goals [above], the 1960s again brought success for the club, as they won the league in 1961, gaining entry to the European Cup which saw them reach the quarter-finals before succumbing to Eusebio’s Benfica. The following season saw a run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and their only Bundesliga crown arrived in 1967/68, but incredibly they were relegated 12 months later following a hasty squad overhaul.