Arsenal concluded their pre-season campaign in style, securing a 2-0 win against French side Lyon to lift the Emirates Cup. The match, held at the Emirates Stadium, saw the Gunners demonstrate their readiness for the upcoming Premier League season.
Key Highlights:
- Defensive Duo Delivers: William Saliba opened the scoring in the 9th minute, followed by Gabriel Magalhaes in the 27th minute. Both goals came from Declan Rice corners, showcasing Arsenal’s set-piece prowess.
- Calafiori Debut: Arsenal fans got their first glimpse of £42m summer signing Riccardo Calafiori. The 22-year-old Italian defender made his debut in the 64th minute, impressing with his versatility by playing both left-back and centre-back.
- Set-Piece Dominance: Arsenal’s two nearly identical goals from corners were labeled a “cheat code” by fans, reminiscent of their league-leading 16 Premier League goals from corners last season.
- Strong Starting XI: Mikel Arteta fielded a team likely similar to their Premier League opener, with Thomas Partey anchoring midfield and Kai Havertz playing as a No. 9.
- Squad Rotation: Arteta made six substitutions in the 76th minute, including youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
- Injury Updates: Jurrien Timber (foot), Fabio Vieira (hip), and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) were absent due to minor injuries.
The victory serves as an ideal final preparation for Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Wolverhampton on Saturday, August 17. The Gunners appear to be in top form, avoiding any major injury concerns and showcasing their tactical strengths.
Manager Mikel Arteta will be particularly pleased with the team’s set-piece effectiveness and the promising debut of Calafiori, who demonstrated his potential value to the squad with his versatile performance.
As Arsenal lifts the Emirates Cup, fans and pundits alike will be eager to see if this pre-season form translates into a strong start in the Premier League campaign.
