The Gunners wrapped up their eventful pre-season campaign with an Emirates Cup victory over French opposition on Wednesday night. Stand-in captain Eddie Nketiah’s close-range volley on the stroke of half-time levelled the scores at 1-1 after Youssouf Fofana’s earlier opener, with a goalless second half giving way to a penalty shootout that was planned anyway regardless of the result over 90 minutes.
As it was the shootout proved consequential, with Aaron Ramsdale saving from former Liverpool winger Takumi Minamino - a timely boost for the England goalkeeper as the Gunners attempt to bring in David Raya from Brentford as competition for the No1 spot - as Arsenal held their nerve to triumph 5-4, with Martin Odegaard, Jorginho, Fabio Vieira and Kai Havertz all on target from 12 yards before Gabriel stepped up for the winning effort.
Declan Rice also impressed on his home debut but it was far from all positive news for Mikel Arteta on Wednesday, with Gabriel Jesus set to miss the start of the season after undergoing a knee procedure. Follow Arsenal vs Monaco reaction from the Emirates Cup live below, with expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Matt Verri in north London!
