Arsenal have beaten Spanish 2022/23 La Liga winners Barcelona 5-3 at the SoFi Stadium in the United States of America to end their North American tour in style.
The friendly match proved it was going to be a goal galore when Barcelona opened the scoring early in the seventh minute through Robert Lewandowski and Arsenal equalised six minutes later through Bukayo Saka.
Saka then missed a penalty in the 22nd minute. it stayed that way for sometime, but both teams enjoyed possession in front of more than 70,000 fans in the California stadium, until Raphinha put Barcelona in front in the 34th minute.
Arsenal then mounted an attack in the final moments of the half and summer signing Kai Havertz tapped off from the near post to make sure the match goes into the break with an even scoreline.
In the second half, Arsenal came out more determined to take the lead and see out the match. As such, Leandro Trossard struck twice in the 55th and 78th minute to give Arsenal a two-goal cushion.
Barcelona’s Ferran Torres pulled one back two minutes from time, but substitute Fabio Vieira scored a minute later to put the match to bed.
Overall, Barcelona enjoyed more possession (60%) but Arsenal were more lethal in attack as evidenced by the scoreline and 20 attempted shots compared to Barcelona’s nine.
Arsenal will now return home where they will play French Ligue 1 side Monaco in the Emirates Cup final on Wednesday next week before playing Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, August 6.
Barcelona on the other hand are still in the US, as they will play rivals Real Madrid on Sunday, July 30, at the AT&T Stadium in Texas and AC Milan at the Allegiant Stadium in Nevada on August 2.
