Wednesday’s mouthwatering preseason match in Los Angeles saw the Gunners triumph, capping off a successful preseason visit to the United States. Arsenal won after an eight-goal blockbuster at SoFi Stadium despite having only defeated Barcelona once in their previous nine efforts in the Champions League.
Declan Rice’s sudden absence from Mikel Arteta’s matchday squad caught everyone off guard, but it ultimately had no negative effects. Arsenal met a Barcelona team that was starting their first summer run-out and had had their match against Juventus postponed due to a health issue in the squad.
Robert Lewandowski as well as Raphinha gave them the lead twice in the first half, but the goals were ruled out on both occasions by Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, who also squandered a penalty. Ilkay Gundogan completed his first minutes after joining from Manchester City.
Second half – Arsenal vs Barcelona, SoFi Stadium
While Xavi Hernández fielded a completely different lineup for the final session, focusing mostly on fitness while offering all players a chance to play, Mikel Arteta made just one change at the halfway point.
Leandro Trossard, who was given a long pass from the back and went purposefully towards a retreating Jules Kounde, scored the game’s opening goal 10 minutes into the second half as Arsenal maintained to engage in extremely serious football and pursue the victory. A few minutes later, on a counterattack, Trossard netted his second goal of the game, ensuring Arsenal’s triumph.
After a strong run and assist from Dembélé, Ferran Torres scored to make it 4-3 with just under two minutes left as Barça kept attacking and try to get back into the game. To put an end to any aspirations of a Barcelona comeback, Fábio Vieira blasted a fantastic long-range goal for Arsenal, and the game came to a heated conclusion.
The outcome was irrelevant, and depending on where the two sides are in their preparations, the disparity in fitness levels was evident from the first minutes of the game. For Barça, a total of 23 different players had a chance to work hard, and while the defence was terrible, it was typical for the first preseason game.
Fans react to Arsenal thrashing Barcelona during pre-season friendly:
An eight-goal thriller brings our USA tour to a close ? pic.twitter.com/niZ5IusJMy
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 27, 2023
Great game… happy I stayed up all night ????????
— Renmi ?? (@mistaremi) July 27, 2023
That's a bloody good result, both the scoreline and the number of players the boss managed to rotate.
— Jim Connolly (@JimConnolly) July 27, 2023
– 5 great goals
– Havertz showed his worth 1st half
– Trossard looks undroppable
– We possess an ungodly amount of fire power right now
– I don't know our best 11?
– Are you not entertained??— Civilized gunner – UC (@CivilizedGunner) July 27, 2023
Partey needs to stay at all costs, he is very key
— Gus.Fring (@bradjrr) July 27, 2023
Good game, I feel we have more depth now.
— Henry E???? (@mac_henry12) July 27, 2023
Arsenal starting all their key players for a friendly preseason game is more funny.
— papimil9?? (@papimil9) July 27, 2023
Vieira casually owning Pedri, Gavi, and De Jong. He is generational
— ???? (@simiafc) July 27, 2023
When Gunners turn it on, they really turn it on. What a show!
— Bart Radka (@bartradv) July 27, 2023
This Barcelona team is finished
— DUJARDIN ?? (@dujarr_din) July 27, 2023
Barca defence are going through the test they missed last season?
— Mubarak Nabdoon (@MubarakNabdoon) July 27, 2023
Holding made his contribution?
— Damon (@Damon254k) July 27, 2023
