Manchester United ran out 2-0 winners in a friendly in New Jersey on Saturday as two first half goals sealed the win.
It’s a game that would have given Mikel Arteta plenty of food for thought as new signings Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice all featured in the game.
With £200m worth of talent recruited over the summer, Arteta will have been hoping to get them firing sooner rather than later.
The new signings give the Spaniard more options than he’s had before as manager of Arsenal.
With the exception of striker Gabriel Jesus and currently injured full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, the Gunners’ starting line-up looked like the one with which they could start their Premier League campaign.
However, the team fell flat in the first half despite almost going ahead through Gabriel Martinelli.
That being said, there is clearly more work to be done to ensure this team is more cohesive and less error-strewn in possession.
Who stood out for Arsenal?
Kieren Tierney was exceptional when introduced into the game at halftime. He was solid and offered his usual drive down the left flank which will only go to strengthen the claim of keeping him this summer.
Jurrien Timber impressed, linking up well with Bukayo Saka down the right-hand side. As expected, he offered options in the middle when in possession and had the pace to deal with the attacking runs of Luke Shaw.
Saka was another who was catching the eye, although that has come to be expected from the young winger. He caused Shaw problems throughout the game and his partnership with Timber was key to most of Arsenal’s better moments, including the chance for Martinelli to out his side ahead.
There were glimpses but that’s a game that would have hurt Arteta, especially with the goals they conceded which certainly could and should have been avoided.
