Arsenal fought back to secure a 2-1 win over Manchester United in their friendly match at the SoFi Stadium in California, with goals from Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli cancelling out Rasmus Hojlund’s early opener.
Despite the win, Manchester United emerged victorious in the subsequent penalty shootout, winning 4-3 over the North London side.
The match provided valuable minutes for many of Arsenal’s stars as they gear up for their Premier League campaign, which kicks off against Wolves on August 17.
Here are five key takeaways from the night:
Gabriel Martinelli (right) came off the bench to complete a comeback win for Arsenal
Rasmus Hojlund fired Man United into an early lead before limping off injured minutes later
Jesus shows his class
Gabriel Jesus demonstrated his exceptional skill and agility, evading defenders with ease and creating scoring opportunities. His goal showcased his ability to make a difference in the final third.
After a season plagued by injuries, Jesus is finally back to his best, and his performance will give Mikel Arteta a welcome headache in terms of team selection.
Gabriel Jesus pulled the Gunners level in teh first half to show he still has his scoring touch
Nwaneri shines
Seventeen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri impressed in his cameo appearance, providing an assist for Jesus’ goal and showcasing his composure on the ball.
His performance demonstrates his readiness for the first team, and he will be eager to build on this outing.
Fellow academy player Ayden Heaven also showed promise, recovering well from an early mistake to put in a solid display.
Ethan Nwaneri claimed an assist in the first half with an impressive low cross for Jesus
Big guns return
The arrival of Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz injected new life into the game, with Martinelli scoring a stunning goal to seal the win.
Martinelli’s pace and power caused problems for the Manchester United defense, and he looks set to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup.
Havertz also showed glimpses of his quality, and Arteta will be pleased to have his attacking trio back and firing.
Martinelli needs a good pre-season to reclaim the left-wing spot he lost to Leandro Trossard at the end of last season
Pitch perfect
In contrast to last year’s pitch debacle, the SoFi Stadium’s surface was in excellent condition, allowing for a smooth and entertaining game.
The stadium’s executives have made significant improvements, including the addition of extra width on the touchline to comply with FIFA’s pitch size regulations.
The SoFi Stadium sorted out their pitch this year after problems with the turf last summer
US flair
The match showcased the unique atmosphere of a US soccer event, with the national anthem played before kick-off and a delayed start to accommodate the pre-game festivities.
The travelling Arsenal fans were treated to their familiar tune of North London Forever, adding to the electric atmosphere.
The travelling Gunners fans were treated to their tune of North London Forever before the match
The US market for soccer is growing rapidly, and events like this will only add to its popularity.
The unique atmosphere and pageantry of these matches will continue to attract fans from both sides of the Atlantic.
