Rasmus Hojlund, Gabirel Jesus and Martinelli scored as Arsenal defeated premier league rivals, Manchester United 2-1 over 90 minutes in Los Angeles – before United won a penalty shootout 4-3 in the same match.
Both teams were looking to make the most of the friendly and it was Man Utd who started the strongest in the ninth minute when Marcus Rashford clipped a ball down the left flank for Hojlund who got the better of Heaven to push into the area, and when faced one-on-one with Karl Hein he fired through the Arsenal keeper’s legs to hand United the lead.
The Danish striker was looking sharp in the early exchanges and nearly doubled his and his team’s lead a few minutes later after when Aaron Wan-Bissaka sped down the right and sent it a low centre but the striker could only steer it over.
However, Hojlund’s first outing since Euro 2024 ended abruptly. Having apparently caught his studs in the SoFi Stadium turf, the striker was substituted only a quarter of an hour into the contest.
It was Arsenal who struck the next blow, leveling the score in the 26th minute. Trossard fed Nwaneri on the edge of the area who sent a pinpoint pass towards the back post where Jesus showed his predatory instinct to poke the ball past a helpless Andre Onana as Onana’s claim for offside claim was ignored.
Mount nearly restored United’s advantage almost immediately, with a rasping effort that Hein had to beat away, but parity remained intact until the interval when Ten Hag changed his entire outfield and and opposite number Mikel Arteta also made some changes.
Trossard ➡️ Nwaneri ➡️ Jesus
Playing football The Arsenal way to get us back level 🤩
Watch live on https://t.co/4KJlfKWFh1 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 28, 2024
Onana, the only United player to complete the full contest, produced a world-class save just before the hour mark to keep the scoreline level at 1-1. The Cameroonian parried a Leandro Trossard’s powerful attempt from inside the area over the crossbar.
As the game went on, Mikel threw on Gabriel, Kai Havertz and Martinelli for their first minutes of pre-season, and the latter looked electric from the moment he was introduced. He constantly tore down the left flank and was rewarded 10 minutes from time.
Picking up possession on the touchline, Martinelli sped towards the box, beat James Scanlon and then drilled the ball through Will Fish’s legs to find the net and send the Arsenal crowd home happy.
POST-MATCH SHOOTOUT
Following the game, a pre-decided penalty shootout took place, which saw United triumph 4-3. Onana made an excellent save to deny Havertz, before Jakub Kiwor steered his effort wide of the target.
Ethan Wheatley also dragged his attempt off target, but after all the subsequent spot-kicks were converted, Jadon Sancho tucked away the decisive one to give United the edge on penalties.
