Arsenal vs Barcelona: The Gunners came out on top in a mouth-watering pre-season friendly in Los Angeles on Wednesday, making it a fine end to their pre-season tour of the United States. Arsenal had only beaten Barcelona once in their last nine attempts in the Champions League, but triumphed in an eight-goal thriller at SoFi Stadium.
Declan Rice was a surprise absentee from Mikel Arteta’s matchday squad, but his omission did not prove costly in the end. Arsenal faced a Barcelona side who were embarking on their first run-out of the summer and have been hit by an illness in the squad, leading to the cancellation of their meeting with Juventus. Ilkay Gundogan played his first minutes since signing from Manchester City, with Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha twice giving them the lead in the first half, though those efforts were cancelled out each time by Bukayo Saka – who also missed a penalty – and Kai Havertz.
Leandro Trossard then notched a stylish second-half brace before two goals in a minute to cap off a spectacular game that was delayed by 36 minutes, with a Ferran Torres strike followed by Fabio Vieira’s rocket. Follow Arsenal vs Barcelona reaction live below via our dedicated match blog!
Full-time: Arsenal vs Barcelona – 5 : 3
What a game!
With eight goals, a missed penalty, plenty of fierce challenges, and no shortage of talking points, this game was an incredible blast.
A friendly just in name.
No Rice, no issue for Arsenal, who have only won twice against Barcelona in their last ten efforts.
A great way to cap off their pre-season trip and recover from their weekend loss to Manchester United in New Jersey.
Monaco returns home on Wednesday for a midweek Emirates Cup match, while Barcelona travels to Texas for a preseason Clasico against Real Madrid on Saturday.
GOAL! Arsenal 5-3 Barcelona | Fabio Vieira 89′
89 mins: And that will surely be that!
What a terrific strike from Vieira, who was set up by a nice touch from Martinelli.
Pena had no chance with a superb effort.
GOAL! Arsenal 4-3 Barcelona | Ferran Torres 88′
88 minutes: Late in the game, Dembele slides in ex-Manchester City winger Torres, who scores across Ramsdale and into the bottom corner.
Slowing down there. Is this exciting friendly match going to conclude on a grandstand?
Arsenal 4-2 Barcelona
86 minutes: Nketiah’s shot is blocked at both ends, but Vieira nips in before it rolls through for Pena and blasts over from a tight angle.
Tierney, on the other hand, does well to hold up to a shot that floats wide of the back post.
Arsenal 4-2 Barcelona
82 minutes: Balde enters the box and smacks against the crossbar for Barcelona, who have hit the crossbar twice in a matter of minutes.
He’s then knocked out by Jorginho’s dirty challenge and squares up to the Italian, with the situation being defused.
Jorginho should have been fined for that.
GOAL! Arsenal 4-2 Barcelona | Leandro Trossard 78′
78 minutes : Trossard scores twice in !
He uses his fast feet to steer Tierney’s powerful low cross beyond Pena.
Arsenal are on their way to a convincing victory to round off their US tour.
