Gabriel Martinelli’s 81st-minute goal secured a 2-1 victory for Arsenal over Manchester United in a thrilling friendly match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles early Sunday morning. This pre-season encounter provided both teams with an excellent opportunity to test their squads ahead of the upcoming league campaigns.
The match began with Manchester United taking an early lead through their Danish striker, Rasmus Hojlund. In the 10th minute, Marcus Rashford launched a lofted pass down the left wing. Hojlund, showcasing his speed and strength, chased the ball, outmuscling Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven. Once inside the box, Hojlund fired a powerful shot between the legs of Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Karl Hein, putting United ahead.
Arsenal responded in the 26th minute with an equalizer from Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian striker capitalized on a close-range pass, tapping the ball into the net despite protests from Manchester United players who believed the goal should have been ruled offside. The referee, however, allowed the goal to stand, leveling the score at 1-1.
The match continued with both teams creating chances, but it was Arsenal who found the decisive breakthrough. Martinelli, who was part of Brazil’s gold medal-winning team at the Tokyo Olympics, displayed his class by cutting in from the left side and curling a right-footed shot inside the near post. This goal, coming in the 81st minute, proved to be the match-winner and demonstrated Martinelli’s ability to deliver in crucial moments.
In other pre-season action, AC Milan secured a 3-2 victory over English Premier League champions Manchester City in New York. Lorenzo Colombo was the star for Milan, scoring two first-half goals. The first came in the 30th minute, followed by another in the 34th minute, giving Milan a 2-1 lead at halftime. Manchester City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland had opened the scoring in the 19th minute, showing his lethal finishing ability.
Manchester City equalized in the 55th minute when James McAtee headed in a cross from winger Micah Hamilton. However, it was Marco Nasti who sealed the victory for Milan in the 78th minute. Nasti received a precise centering pass from Belgian right-winger Alexis Saelemaekers and fired a well-placed shot into the net, ensuring Milan’s triumph.
Another notable pre-season fixture saw Celtic overpower Chelsea with a 4-1 win at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Celtic, who had previously defeated Manchester City 4-3, dominated Chelsea from the start. Kyogo Furuhashi opened the scoring with a left-footed shot in the 19th minute, and Matt O’Riley doubled the lead in the 33rd minute with a close-range finish.
In the second half, Celtic continued to press their advantage. Honduran striker Luis Palma boosted the lead in the 76th minute, and Michael Johnston rounded off the scoring with a goal in the 79th minute. Chelsea’s only response came from Christopher Nkunku, who converted an 89th-minute penalty to avoid a shutout.
These pre-season matches in the United States have provided valuable opportunities for European clubs to fine-tune their squads and assess their players’ readiness ahead of the new season. The competitive nature of these friendlies highlights the importance teams place on preparation and cohesion as they look to start their domestic campaigns on a strong note.
For Arsenal, the win against Manchester United is a positive sign of their potential for the upcoming season. Gabriel Martinelli’s performance, in particular, will be a boost for the Gunners as they aim to improve on their previous league standings. Martinelli’s goal showcased his technical ability and composure under pressure, traits that will be vital for Arsenal in the Premier League.
Manchester United, despite the loss, showed moments of brilliance, particularly through Hojlund’s early goal. The friendly match served as a useful exercise for United’s coaching staff to identify areas for improvement and to integrate new signings into the squad.
AC Milan’s victory over Manchester City and Celtic’s dominant performance against Chelsea also underline the competitive spirit in these pre-season fixtures. For Milan, the standout performances from Colombo and Nasti suggest a promising attacking lineup, while Celtic’s comprehensive win against Chelsea indicates their readiness to compete at a high level.
As the pre-season tours continue, fans can look forward to more exciting matches and the opportunity to see their favorite teams and players in action. These matches not only build fitness and teamwork but also provide a glimpse into the strategies and formations that managers will employ in the upcoming season. The focus now shifts to the start of the domestic leagues, where the lessons learned and form gained from these pre-season friendlies will be put to the test
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