A rampant Arsenal breezed to a 3-0 win in opposition to Lyon in a pleasant on Thursday, making impressively mild work of the Ligue 1 aspect inside Dubai’s Al-Makhtoum Stadium.
Lyon appeared effectively off the tempo and had been unable to get wherever close to Arsenal within the first half as they walked their approach right into a 3-0 lead. The sample continued after the break for probably the most half, regardless of Lyon’s efforts to attempt to shut up defensively.
The Gunners shortly discovered their spark and dominated proceedings, profitable the ball again excessive, pinning Lyon into their very own half and making a flurry of probabilities. The Ligue 1 outfit had room to counter assault into, however could not maintain possession for lengthy sufficient to counter Arsenal.
Gabriel ought to’ve performed higher with a header from a free-kick after 14 minutes, earlier than Fabio Vieira compelled a low save out of Anthony Lopes after 18 minutes. The ensuing nook noticed the Brazilian atone for his earlier missed probability, as he pounced on poor defending to bulldoze Arsenal in entrance along with his head.
Lyon struggled tremendously in attempting to carry the ball and impose themselves on Arsenal. A uncommon probability for them in entrance of the Gunners’ objective noticed Arsenal win again possession and thread collectively a superb transition, with Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney linking as much as spring their aspect ahead and win a nook.
Arsenal appeared good for a second and had one after half an hour. Catching the French aspect out as they tried to assault, the Gunners bombed ahead and Fabio Vieira squared the ball alongside the field for Eddie Nketiah to faucet house.
Two in a short time grew to become three when Vieira grabbed one for himself after 39 minutes, utilizing the acres of house he was afforded on the sting of the field to exquisitely curl one into the highest nook.
The three-0 scoreline flattered Lyon heading into the break in fact, with Arsenal wanting extremely sharp and their opponents wanting the precise reverse.
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Laurent Blanc would’ve had loads to say to his Lyon aspect on the interval, and whereas they had been higher within the second half, Arsenal nonetheless dominated proceedings. Substitute Marquinhos nearly made it 4-0 after 55 minutes, however noticed his curled effort tipped onto the crossbar.
Marquinhos missed one other good probability to attain after an hour, when he swivelled on a free ball however solely discovered the side-netting from his shot. However with three objectives already bundled in and the sport basically determined, Arteta referred to as for mass change, successfully switching your entire XI.
The now very younger Gunners nearly made it 4-0 after profitable possession from a objective kick that was performed brief, however a moderately frantic sequence of defending nearly noticed the ball away for a nook.
With this being the extremely regarded Dubai Tremendous Cup (completely not sarcastic) there was a customary penalty shootout to comply with the full-time whistle, with an additional level up for grabs. Arsenal gained 2-1, however the highlights had been two admittedly terrible Panenka efforts from Catalin Cirjan and Rayan Cherki – the latter of whom appeared like he’d given up midway by his run-up.
GK: Karl Hein – 8/10 – With Aaron Ramsdale nonetheless on the World Cup, Hein bought the nod, however did not have a lot to do. Clear show and three good saves within the penalty shootout.
RB: Cedric Soares – 7/10 – Complimented Vieira effectively, going up inside to the half house and constantly offering a key cross.
CB: Rob Holding – 6/10 – Very composed show. May be an asset with the video games coming thick and quick following the conclusion of the World Cup.
CB: Gabriel – 7/10 – Dominant efficiency from entrance to again.
LB: Kieran Tierney – 6/10 – Appeared sharp and extremely match; a very powerful factor for Tierney contemplating his worrying harm document.
DM: Mohamed Elneny – 6/10 – Swept up on the base of midfield very effectively – though Lyon did not ask an excessive amount of of him.
DM: Albert Sambi Lokonga – 6/10 – Deployed within the newfound Granit Xhaka position with the directions being to get ahead and be a part of the assault to create overloads. Discovered himself in entrance of objective with probabilities to attain in consequence, however lacked conviction.
RW: Fabio Vieira – 8/10 – Stretched the pitch effectively to create gaps in a sluggish Lyon defence and moved the ball neatly. Beautiful, constant weight of cross which grabbed him an early help. Enjoying him as an inverted winger may very well be key shifting ahead.
AM: Martin Odegaard – 8/10 – Actually strutted his stuff. No Lyon participant might get close to the Norwegian, who created probabilities and sprayed round pretty passes for enjoyable.
LW: Reiss Nelson – 6/10 – Arsenal’s left flank was admittedly quite a bit much less efficient than their proper. Nelson nonetheless loved himself, although, rising in confidence as the sport progressed.
ST: Eddie Nketiah – 7/10 – Out of the sport considerably till he scored. A straightforward end from a sq. ball, however one that may do Nketiah the world of fine. Staked his declare with Gabriel Jesus sidelined after surgical procedure.
Substitutes
Marquinhos – 7/10 – A really vivid 45 minutes for the 19-year-old, who appeared filled with capability in addition to intent.
Catalin Cirjan – 4/10 – Tried a panenka within the penalty shootout. It did not come off. Nightmare.
Matt Smith – 6/10
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6/10
Ethan Nwaneri – 6/10
Taylor Foran – 6/10
Amario Cozier-Duberry – 6/10
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji – 6/10
Lino Sousa – 6/10
Reuell Walters – 6/10
Supervisor
Mikel Arteta – 8/10 – Obtained loads of minutes into the legs of fringe gamers who wanted them, escaped with out having to look at anybody succumb to harm and watched his aspect put collectively a really comfy 90 minute show. An excellent day on the workplace.
Participant of the Match – Fabio Vieira
