Arsenal stepped up their pre-season preparations by beating Manchester United in Los Angeles thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian internationals, who are looking to bounce back after an underwhelming 2023-24, grabbed a goal each to secure Arsenal the comeback victory.
After the game, Arsenal took part in a penalty shootout in which Manchester United won 4-3 following misses from Kai Havertz and Jakub Kiwior.
Having faced Bournemouth and United in Los Angeles, Arsenal fly to Philadelphia on Sunday for a friendly against Liverpool at Lincoln Financial Field on Wednesday.
The Athletic’s Arsenal writer James McNicholas was at SoFi Stadium to provide instant analysis of their friendly win over Erik ten Hag’s men.
Has Jesus rediscovered his spark?
Arsenal still have hopes of strengthening their forward line this summer — but it will not be easy to buy someone better than a fit and firing Jesus.
While many of his team-mates dispersed to take part in international tournaments, Jesus was working hard on his physical conditioning. His goal has been to get back to the sparkling form he showed when he first arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2022.
Jesus scored just four times in 27 Premier League appearances last season. His finishing was an issue — but so was his fitness, with a lingering knee issue reducing his availability and impact. Arsenal were even open to offers for the 27-year-old during this summer window, but no suitable buyer has come forward.
That is no problem for manager Mikel Arteta, who remains an admirer of Jesus’ character, versatility and tactical intelligence. If Jesus can stay fit — and recapture something like his best form — Arsenal will be stronger for it.
“He looks really good,” said Arteta. “He looks really sharp. He’s changed a lot of things over the summer, he’s come in top condition again, and when you have that baseline other things can be built, but without that foundation you don’t have a player, and he needs to be in that condition to get the best out of himself. He realised that and I’m really happy with what he’s shown today again.”
Which begs the question, what has changed?
“That’s a question for him, but I know that, it’s a fact, and you can see it — the way he looks, his rhythm, his sharpness, the way he’s moving — and you can see in his eyes as well that there is again some spark there, because he’s got now a point to prove, and that’s good.”
Is Nwaneri the player to break through from the academy?
Nwaneri has started both of Arsenal’s friendlies and impressed (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
After significant recent departures from Arsenal’s academy, there has been discussion over whether the famous Hale End production line is drying up.
The evidence of this tour, however, would suggest the next generation is beginning to make inroads into Arteta’s squad.
After an impressive performance in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri kept his place in midfield. This time he was played as the left eight, with Martin Odegaard operating to his right and Jorginho supporting from deep.
It was another encouraging performance from the teenager, who ran in behind and crossed to the back post to lay on Jesus’ equaliser. There was a suggestion of offside, but United’s protests were waved away.
Another 17-year-old, Ayden Heaven, started in central defence alongside Jurrien Timber. Heaven was outmuscled by Rasmus Hojlund for United’s opener, but recovered well to grow into the game and show his quality on the ball.
Arsenal’s academy involvement did not end there. In the second half, there were cameos for the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand and Josh Nichols.
Arteta finds himself with a glut of wide options
Reiss Nelson once again looked sharp, as he continues to be linked with a possible move to interested clubs such as West Ham United or Leicester City.
Nelson’s departure would potentially open the door for a new arrival — but Arsenal’s existing wide players used this friendly to stake their case. In his first start of pre-season, Leandro Trossard was a constant menace on the left.
He was replaced by Martinelli, who scooted inside from the left flank to score the winner at the near post. Like Jesus, Martinelli was far from his best last season, ultimately losing his place to Trossard. His pace and directness give Arsenal a different dimension in attack, and now that he has fully recovered from the deep cut to his heel which hindered him during the Premier League run-in, he will hope to return to his best form.
Fabio Vieira may be considered a wide option next season too. For the second successive game, he was deployed in a role on the right-hand side of the front three. It is striking that Arteta would play Vieira wide and less experienced options such as Nwaneri and Oulad M’Hand in central areas. Perhaps by playing on the flank Vieira’s defensive deficiencies are less exposed.
What next for Arsenal?
Wednesday, July 31: Liverpool (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 7pm ET, midnight BST
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(Top photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)