Arsenal 2 Manchester United 1: Jesus, Martinelli score, Nwaneri shines again

Arsenal boosted their pre-season preparations with a win over Manchester United in Los Angeles thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.

The two Brazilians, who are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2023-24 season, scored a goal each to secure Arsenal’s win.

After the match, Arsenal participated in the penalty shootout, which Manchester United won 4-3 after Kai Havertz and Jacob Kiwior missed.

After facing Bournemouth and Manchester United in Los Angeles, Arsenal travel to Philadelphia on Sunday for a friendly against Liverpool at Lincoln Financial Field on Wednesday.

The athlete Arsenal writer James McNicholas was at the SoFi Stadium to provide an on-the-spot analysis of their friendly win over Erik ten Hag’s men.

Did Jesus rediscover his spark?

Arsenal still have hopes of strengthening their attack this summer – but it won’t be easy to buy a better player than Jesus.

While many of his teammates were away on international duty, Jesus was working hard on his fitness. His aim was to return to the impressive form he showed when he first arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2022.

Jesus scored just four goals in 27 Premier League appearances last season. His finishing was an issue – but so was his fitness, with a persistent knee problem limiting his availability and impact. Arsenal were even open to offers for the 27-year-old during this summer’s transfer window, but no suitable buyer has come forward.

That is not a problem for manager Mikel Arteta, who remains impressed by Jesus’ character, versatility and tactical intelligence. If Jesus can stay fit and regain his best form, Arsenal will be stronger for it.

“He looks really good,” Arteta said. “He’s very sharp. He changed a lot of things over the summer, he’s back to his best again, and when you have that foundation you can build other things, but without that foundation you don’t have a player, and he needs to be in that condition to get the best out of him. He’s realised that and I’m really happy with what he showed today again.”

Which begs the question: What has changed?

“That’s a question for him, but I know that’s a fact, and you can see it – the way he looks, his rhythm, his intensity, the way he moves – and you can see in his eyes as well that there’s a spark back there, because now he has a point to prove, and that’s good.”

Are you Nuanry? the A player capable of breaking through from the academy?

Following the recent departure of a number of players from Arsenal’s academy, there has been debate about whether the famous Hale End production line has dried up.

However, the evidence from this tour suggests that the next generation is beginning to creep into Arteta’s squad.

After an impressive performance in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri has kept his place in midfield. This time he has played as a left-sided striker, with Martin Odegaard playing to his right and Jorginho supporting him from deep.

The youngster’s performance was another encouraging one, as he ran from behind the goal and crossed to the far post to set up Jesus’ equaliser. There was a hint of offside, but United’s protests were ignored.

Another 17-year-old, Aiden Haven, started at centre-back alongside Jorin Timber. Haven was outplayed by Rasmus Højlund for United’s opening goal but recovered well to come on and prove his quality on the ball.

Arsenal Academy’s role did not stop there. In the second half, Miles Lewis-Skelly, Salah Eldin Oulad Mohand and Josh Nicholls participated.

Arteta finds himself with plenty of options on the wings

Reiss Nelson has been in fine form again, with the likes of West Ham United and Leicester City still linked with a potential move.

Nelson’s departure could open the door for a new signing – but Arsenal’s existing players used the friendly to prove themselves. In his first pre-season game, Leandro Trossard was a constant threat down the left.

He was replaced by Martinelli, who raced down the left to score the winner at the near post. Like Jesus, Martinelli was far from his best last season and eventually lost his place to Trossard. His pace and directness give Arsenal a different dimension in attack and, now fully recovered from the deep heel injury that hampered him during the Premier League play-offs, he will be hoping to return to his best.

Fabio Vieira could also be seen as a flank option next season. For the second game in a row, he has been deployed in a role on the right side of the attacking trio. It is interesting that Arteta will play Vieira on the flanks and less experienced options such as Nwaneri and Oulad Mhand in central areas. Perhaps by playing on the flank, Vieira’s defensive flaws are less exposed.

What’s next for Arsenal?

Wednesday, July 31: Liverpool (Philadelphia, PA), 7 p.m. ET, midnight BST

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(Top photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)