Arsenal vs Barcelona highlights and reactions as Leandro Trossard shines in pre-season friendly

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Arsenal cranked up their Premier League preparations on Wednesday night with a thrilling 5-3 victory against Barcelona in a pre-season friendly at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.


Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring after seven minutes, following up Raphinha's saved attempt at the home of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.


 

Saka equalized in the 13th minute, but the England international missed a penalty midway through the first half.


Bukayo Saka, who scored a goal, missed a penalty, and participated extensively as the Gunners sliced apart Barca at discretion, especially in the first half, was the Catalans' main tormentor.

 
After Raphinha's free-kick was deflected in by Martin Odegaard, the Norwegian midfielder set up summer signing Havertz to make it 2-2 before the break.

 

January signing Leandro Trossard scored twice in a great display on the left wing, while new acquisition Kai Havertz and substitute Fabio Vieira also scored.



Mikel Arteta's squad defeated the Spanish champions thanks to Trossard's second-half double.


Arsenal were leveled twice in the first half by Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz before Trossard's strikes put the Gunners in front after the break.


 

Winger Trossard rolled the ball into the bottom corner for his first goal after 55 minutes, adding his second with a first-time finish from Kieran Tierney's pass.

 

Ferran Torres' goal two minutes from time gave Barcelona hope, but Vieira's excellent long-range strike sealed victory for Arsenal.

After Ferran Torres reduced the deficit, Fabio Vieira delivered a spectacular fifth goal.



After the spirited preseason friendly victory over Barcelona on Wednesday night, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauded Leandro Trossard's performance.

The Spaniard stated after the game, "It's great to see him score - he's been working so hard." 

"He came in really good trim for pre-season, and he's a player who gives us something different compared to the other  wingers we have."

"He has tremendous versatility and predictability to play on  the left wing." It's fantastic and will undoubtedly boost his confidence."


 Mikel Arteta also disclosed that Arsenal will remain active in the transfer market, particularly in terms of outgoings, Despite having spent over £200 million on arrivals so  far. 


He continued, "We have 30 players here, which is insurmountable, and the market is obviously still open, and things can happen  but we are prepared. "


"We are very pleased with the squad we have at the moment; obviously, there are improvements to be made in terms of what we want to do in games, and we must do so."


Arteta also dismissed claims that the departure of Granit Xhaka will rob his team of physicality in midfield, which were raised during a muscular friendly defeat by Manchester United.


"There is optimism that we have evolved as a club and that we can elevate our game this season."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his team learned a valuable lesson during Saturday's 2-0 friendly loss to Manchester United.


Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes scored goals in the first half to defeat the Gunners in New Jersey.

Arsenal had several chances but none were converted, including Gabriel's late header that was deflected wide.


When asked what he had learned from that  match, Arteta explained, "That I hate to lose, that we all hate to lose." I don't like how I feel right now.


Bitello, a 23-year-old Brazilian midfielder from Gremio, is close to joining Arsenal after previously being linked with a move to Serie A.



The Gunners are  also interested in Ghanaian  midfielder Mohammed Kudus, 22, although Chelsea are close to reaching an agreement with Ajax.





Barcelona won't be too concerned about the result because it was their first preseason friendly, but they were outplayed for the entire 90 minutes, with two of their goals coming from miraculous deflections.


Arsenal will kick off their 2023-24 season against Treble winners Manchester City on 6 August in the Community Shield, the traditional curtain-raiser to the Premier League season, England's Football Association (FA) said on Friday, Jun 16, 2023.




 

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