Starting XI: Leno, Jenkinson, Mustafi, Mavropanos, Medley, Gilmour, Sheaf, Amaechi, Ozil, Suarez, Lacazette
Subs: Cech, Koscielny, Maitland-Niles, Pleguezuelo, Osei-Tutu, Thompson, Olayinka, John-Jules
Arsenal have rounded off this week’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai with a 3-2 win over local side Al-Nasr at the Al Maktoum Stadium.
The Gunners starting XI – a mix of experience, youth and Mustafi – were pretty shaky in the opening stages as the hosts, playing with surprising intensity, forced us onto the back foot.
Bernd Leno made a couple of early stops to deny former Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo, but he couldn’t do anything when Ronnie Fernandez curled home on 14 minutes.
The Chilean left unmarked on the edge of the area, collected a cutback on the edge of the area, sold Shkodran Mustafi a feint that left the German on his arse (?) and coolly slotted into the top corner.
.@ALNasrSC scores during the first 14 minutes of the game. #ArsenalInDubai #DubaiOneTv pic.twitter.com/MDscCfkC7z
— Dubai One (@DubaiOneTV) March 26, 2019
The Gunners initially struggled with the hot conditions although Denis Suarez was a bright spark in the final third. Just before the break, it was the Spaniard who played a deft pass for Carl Jenkinson and the right-back found the net following up on his initial effort that hit the bar. Anything to push that Cologne own goal down the SEO rankings, eh Carl?
It's 1-1 in the game after a GOAL by #Jenkinson for @Arsenal . #ArsenalInDubai #DubaiOneTv pic.twitter.com/XK6yelO2ju
— Dubai One (@DubaiOneTV) March 26, 2019
Unai Emery made five changes for the second half and it had an immediate impact. On 51 minutes, Alex Lacazette finished a flowing move that started with a burst by Ainsley Maitland-Niles and included a beautiful flick from Mesut Ozil.
On the second half, Lacazette gives @Arsenal the lead.
Arsenal – 2 – @AlNasrSC – 1#ArsenalInDubai #DubaiOneTv pic.twitter.com/Z07OX5iX0m— Dubai One (@DubaiOneTV) March 26, 2019
Tyreece John-Jules extended the lead with 18 minutes remaining, calmly slotting home after stealing the ball on the edge of the Al-Nasr box and leaving the keeper on the floor.
18 year old John Jules of @Arsenal doubles the lead.
Arsenal – 3 – @AlNasrSC – 1#ArsenalInDubai #DubaiOneTv pic.twitter.com/l4kKqK3lqP— Dubai One (@DubaiOneTV) March 26, 2019
A late penalty for the home side narrowed the gap right at the death, but the Gunners prevailed in the end, and hopefully return to England with a clean bill of health.
Good result, worth having a run out to keep us going over the Interlull.
Is it just me or are our academy players absolute units? I’ve never seen a crop of youngsters who look so physically prepared for the top flight.
Class of 2020? Can’t wait for the documentary.
COYG!
I’ve often wondered whether we’d be better focusing on strength and fitness before they come up against ‘real men’ and develop their game
The EPL is the toughest and players need good physical strength. A problem with many of Wenger’s players was that while skillful
they weren’t robust enough and literally got pushed around by opponents.
Under Wenger, a lot of players while skillful were not that physically robust and literally got pushed around by opponents. It looks like things may be changing. Good news.
Is there a third way someone can say that?
Wait, where’s the second.
That Laca goal was a thing of beauty
Feel like I’ve seen that laca goal before..
The commentator sounds like me doing a Mexican accent
That Özil assist ???
Mustafi doing what Mustafi does best ?
Nice to see most of the academy boys playing with confidence and purpose and very nice to see that level of performance from Suarez, every chance he can still be an asset for us.
John-Jules was cool as you like in front of goal! What composure from the youngster ?
What happens when you’re the nephew of the coolest Cat in the galaxy
Impressed with Mavropanos, Ben Sheaf and Denis Suarez today.
Suarez in!
Someone needs to have a word with Mustafi. I mean, that was the simplest of feints and the guy literally falls for it. If he was on his feet, he could have made the shot a lot harder to take. German defenders used to be one of the most reliable.
And the word is: “Go!”.
The word is “Goodbye”.
The initial ball into the box was also very easy to read. Kos would have intercepted before it even got to the guy
Careful, you’ll summon santori with this post
I say this: a win is a win, a friendly is a friendly, and Mustafi is a waste of space.
Why use more than one name to comment?
A win is a win, but let’s not get too carried away. Performances are probably more important in this kind of game than the result and there were some very good performances – and the odd one not so good, step forward Mustafi. We won’t get much for him – nothing close to the £35 million paid – but he should be the primary candidate for a transfer in the Summer (if someone will buy him).
I was going to say cirque du soleil might want him, but realised they have many skilful performers and no clowns.
Yes. I can’t help thinking that it would have been far simpler for Arsenal to pile up £35 million in notes the middle of The Emirates pitch and set fire to it.
Love Jenks, he scores a goal.
How does Mustafi conspire to be the worst player on the pitch in a friendly in Dubai
The highest point is watching Jenkinson score, quite amazing
Who else thought the alkhartoum stadium is fabulous
Exhibition match plus shop window and first team audition for some. Several take aways : 1) No injuries. 2) Back 4 again not ideal. Switch to back 3 worked better for us. Again those absolutist need take note. Nothing inked in stone. Dependent entirely on opposition faced and our own composition selection and availability. 3) Mavropanos. Swarmed the first half. Better with the extra Cback in back 3. Again difficult to assess as this is against Al Nasr and they don;t have as much depth either which means second half they are also weakened. 2) Jenkinson. Good goal. BUT reality… Read more »
I always read your gigantic posts giving you benefit of the doubt. But i always regret it.
Good finish JJ, composure!