Arsenal’s USA Tour began with a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Bournemouth after the two sides drew 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Against a Cherries side with a Stateside friendly already under their belt, Mikel Arteta opted for a blend of youth and experience in his starting lineup before making a raft of changes after the break.
The Gunners took the lead on 17 minutes thanks to Fabio Vieira’s low rocket of a volley. The Portuguese midfielder was picked out at the back post by Reiss Nelson’s cross and finished things off in emphatic style.
“It’s something we train for every day in the training ground,” he revealed post-match.
“We have been creating a lot of these positions in the box as it’s also very important to score goals. I’m happy to score this goal for Arsenal.”
Karl Hein preserved the lead making fine stops to deny Dominic Solanke and Dango Ouattara before Bournemouth equalised on 73 minutes. Omar Rekik was caught in possession and Antoine Semenyo found the net via a big deflection off Ben White.
The game was always destined to go to a shootout whatever the final result and it was Hein who came out the hero after denying Phillip Billing and Ryan Christie. Jakub Kiwior netted the winner after Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho and Gabriel Jesus had scored. Leandro Trossard’s effort hit the post.
After the match, Arteta was delighted by the way his senior pros marshalled the young contingent through the experience.
“I’m really pleased because we had really special circumstances today,” Arteta told Arsenal.com.
“We arrived two days ago, we had so many young kids playing with us that had never played before and I think we had a really strong performance against a side that is a bit ahead of us in their schedule.
“They had a full first-team available, so I’m really proud of them, both the young kids and the senior ones, because they have fulfilled their roles in a really impressive way.
“That was a different level today to the game that we played last Saturday, and it was another big step. We looked really connected and as a manager, it was just a joy to see the faces of those kids making their debut, participating, and the excitement showed, and as well to see our senior players put themselves in their shoes and give them the support and be the role models that we want.”
He also had warm words for Hein: “It’s very good practice and I think Karl was again very important for us to win it. We showed composure and won, that is what we aim for.”
Arsenal lineup
Arsenal: Hein, Timber (61), White (77), Heaven (62), Lewis-Skelly (62), Partey (61), Salah (46), Nwaneri (83), Vieira (62), Nelson (62), Nketiah (62).
Subs: Setford, Nygaard, Rojas, Zinchenko (62), Nichols (77), Kiwior (62), Rekik (61), Jorginho (61), Rosiak, Odegaard (46), Smith Rowe, Gower (83), Trossard (62), Sagoe Jr (62), Jesus (62).
I’ve seen enough, give Vieira the Balon D’or.
Question for those of you who watched the match. How good was Nwaneri?
He looked like he belongs in the first team and will get significant minutes this year. He will force the issue through his play this season.
Why do people thumbs up or thumbs down a general question?
I presume the thumbs up people are expressing their interest in the question. The thumbs down people are likely trolls. I expect at least 3 thumbs down as well.
I only watched the first half and I thought he looked lively. Just seemed most of the play was down the left side through Nelson which makes sense. I thought Heaven and MLS looked good while Nketiah had several chances but somehow the ball would make him fall over.
We bought Salah?? Kept that quiet.
Great see young lads going so well.
Credit to Hein, one question tho is where is Brooke Norton Cuffy , he was bright for Milwall last year and looked dam good , surprised he’s not around first team squad as looks physically more ready than some of the young lads who played
Salah plays for Arsenal 😲
Fun fact;
Salah plays for Arsenal is an anagram of Arsenal’s flashy op. Raa. L.
Which when I think of it makes no sense, isn’t actually fun at all and is a waste of everyone’s time.
So, er, preseason is boring innit
A good step to full match fitness, the team will be strong when the two Gabriel’s and kai joins the the team next week …. Very optimistic
I must admit that I was impressed with the Bournemouth strip with the nehru collar. Lovely bubbly. I can see myself wearing it proudly in my local opium den.