Leandro Trossard netted within the fifty fifth and 78th minutes as Arsenal gained 5-3.© AFP
Leandro Trossard bagged a second-half brace as Arsenal twice got here from behind to defeat Spanish champions Barcelona 5-3 in a pre-season pleasant in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Belgian worldwide Trossard netted within the fifty fifth and 78th minutes because the English Premier League runners-up accomplished an emphatic victory on the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The beginning of an entertaining encounter on the dwelling of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams was delayed by half-hour after Arsenal’s crew bus was held up in site visitors en path to the stadium.
When the sport lastly kicked off, Barcelona started the brighter, with Moroccan ahead Abde Ezzalzouli producing a scintillating run down the left flank to arrange the Catalans’ opener.
Ezzalzouli’s cross was met by Raphinha, whose first-time shot was saved by Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, however solely so far as Robert Lewandowski, who rammed within the end within the seventh minute.
Arsenal nevertheless have been swift to reply, with England worldwide Bukayo Saka grabbing an equalizer within the thirteenth minute after a defensive lapse by Barcelona centre-half Andreas Christensen.
Saka missed the prospect to fireplace Arsenal into the lead from the penalty spot on 22 minutes, the winger screwing his shot broad of the put up after Ronald Araujo had dealt with within the space.
Barca nevertheless regained the lead simply after the half-hour mark, with Raphinha’s long-range free-kick deflecting off Martin Odegaard within the Arsenal wall to deceive Ramsdale.
Odegaard made amends simply earlier than half-time nevertheless, flicking on to Arsenal’s new signing Kai Havertz, for the ahead to jab within the end from shut vary.
Arsenal dominated for lengthy intervals of the second half, with Saka lacking a golden likelihood to place the Gunners forward early within the second half, taking pictures over from 5 yards out with the aim begging.
Arsenal’s stress lastly informed although with Trossard scoring within the fifty fifth and 78th minutes to make it 4-2.
Ferran Torres scored a late comfort for Barcelona within the 88th minute to offer the Catalans a glimmer of hope, however Fabio Vieira made sure of victory with a long-range strike a minute earlier than full-time.
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