- Arsenal claimed a 5-3 win over FC Barcelona at SoFi Stadium on Thursday to ensure their summer US tour ended on a high note
- Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke was among the 70,233 fans who watched the Gunners triumph to victory over the Spanish champions
Arsenal beat FC Barcelona 5-3 at SoFi Stadium on Thursday to ensure their summer US tour ended on a high note.
Leandro Trossard bagged a brace while Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Fabio Vieira all scored one for Arsenal. Barcelona’s goals were scored by Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Ferran Torres.
Arsenal came from behind twice to beat Barcelona. Photo/ Barca Blaugranes.
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke was among the 70,233 fans who watched the Gunners triumph to victory over the Spanish champions.
The Gunners flew back to London straight after the final whistle, and next up it’s Monaco back at home in the Emirates Cup. This will be followed by the Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s side will then begin their 2023-24 Premier League campaign against Nottingham Forest the following weekend.
How Arsenal Beat Barcelona
Arsenal started the match at SoFi Stadium as the better side. However, they fell behind after just seven minutes when Martin Odegaard lost possession to Abde Ezzalzouli, who broke at speed and passed to Raphinha to shoot from close range. Aaron Ramsdale did well to deny the Brazilian winger but Lewandowski was just at the right place to pounce on the ball and put Barca ahead.
Arsenal were not behind for too long, thanks to Bukayo Saka’s 13th minute goal. The England international pounced on a loose touch from Andreas Christensen in the box and then beat Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Saka had a golden opportunity to give Arsenal the lead barely ten minutes later when Araujo handled in the box. However, his penalty went wide of ter Stegen’s left-hand post.
Raphinha put Barcelona ahead in the 34th minute but Arsenal kept pushing forward and equalized with two minutes left before the break. Bukayo Saka did some neat job on the right wing before crossing to captain Odegaard who headed towards goal. His effort was stabbed home by new signing Kai Havertz.
Kai Havertz celebrates after scoring for Arsenal against Barcelona. Photo/ Daily Post Nigeria.
During the break, Barcelona changed their whole starting eleven, including the goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Arsenal only introduced Emile Smith Rowe for Kai Havertz.
Saka continued to be a menace after the break but it was Leandro Trossard who put Arsenal ahead in the 56th minute. The Belgian winger drove a low shot into the far corner which beat goalkeeper Inaki Pena.
Barcelona went in search for the equalizer afterwards, with Ousmane Dembele hitting the post. Things got worse for Xavi’s side when Trossard added his second of the match in the 78th minute.
A mistake by Rob Holding in the 88th minute led to Barca pulling one back through Ferran Torres. Fabio Vieira sealed the win for the Gunners with a superb finish in the dying minutes of the game.
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