Unai Emery put out a very young Arsenal team to face Angers last night, and an interesting back line of Chambers, Mustafi, Medley and Monreal in front of Martinez.
Angers, who finished 13th in Ligue 1 last season, have never actually won a trophy in their 100 year history, although they did get to French Cup Final a couple of years ago, but they put up a spirited fight against the Young Gunners with Jeff Reine-Adelaide in the line-up for them.
Here is the official line-up….
The teams are in – and here's how we'll line up against @AngersSCO ?
? Remember, you can watch the game LIVE on @PremierSportsTV – and we'll bring you live text updates on https://t.co/4KJlfKW7rt too
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 31, 2019
The French side took the lead after just 15 minutes, with Farid El-Melali smartly going around Martinez before slotting the ball into the net. They were totally in control for most of the half and were unlucky not to go 2-0 up but the goal was judged to be offside. Martinez was definitely our Man Of The First Half and Angers were definitely worthy of the lead at the break.
But the second half belonged to Arsenal after Emery took off Chambers, Monreal and Medley to change the defensive setup. The Gunners quickly equalized in a messy goal from Reiss Nelson and after another 20 minutes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan came on, but we couldn’t put ourselves in front although Aubz did get the ball in the net. That one was disallowed but shortly after he skied an easy chance as usual!
There was not much action after that and we limped onward to a penalty shoot-out, but here are the highlights from the 90 minutes….
Enjoy!
If you still want more, here is the penalty shoot-out in full, with Maitland-Niles confidently putting away the opener. You can watch the rest here, and it was poor Reine-Adelaide that missed the decisive one to give Arsenal the game…
The game was an opportunity for the younger blood to get game time.
Overall they did well in the first half though they will need to learn that losing is a drive to up it all 100%…attitude is key in moments like this.
I think one player who went along about his business was Burton. He has an eye for a pass and doesnt mind getting his foot in.
We have 2 waves of youth talent. The 1st is ready to join the first time, the second will be back with the reserves as they are a year off in both age and physical attributes
Tierney and Pepe I hope will be announced on Monday latest.
I don’t know if I was the only one who wished Reine-Adelaide was never sold.
He was a bit inconsistent in some of his matches for us but you could see the talent in him was there and he was easily part of the top five most talented players in our academy in his time here.He looks like a player who would be good in a three man midfield or as an AM.I still rate him a lot and believe if he can stay injury free he will play for a world class team one day.Now the club has made the same mistake with Krystian Bielik.A player whose defensive skills suggest he can become a very good or excellent player.
Kev any news on kieran tierney? is it a done deal or not? And CB news who is coming to arsenal?
Tierney is not yet a done deal but the fee and payment structure have been agreed.We have a free run at him so all should go through soon.
We are not close to signing any CB atm
Tierney fee agreed? When will he be announced? Along with pepe? I guess?
Happens a lot, Kev…. I wish Gnabry hadn’t been sold & yes soon to be Bielik. Nowt we can do about it though unfortunately.
Jeff had a good game last night & I have to say, I really felt for him after his penalty miss. He has a great future ahead of him!
Yeah, if Jeff stays injury free he is good to be really good
I too was surprised and disappointed that the clearly talented Jeff Reine-Adelaide was sold. I fear it will come back to haunt us. On Beilik, I am undecided but he certainly has something about him
I’m as disappointed with the Bielik sale as I was with Adelaide’s
What is this hype about lewis dunk? is he that good enough for Arsenal? better than arsenal’s current back? Any one there to answer my queries?
Raja, I share your keenness to know, as we all do to, but we are merely fans and not in the know, despite the “kev” factor! All any of us can do is wait with fingers crossed.
Dear friend jon fox who do you think we should sign for CB??
If we manage to sign tierney plus a good CB(better than we have currently) and with pepe almost confirmed we will have a decent defence with a good midfielder and world class attack. I am getting little excited for next season
Leno
Bellerin
New CB
Holding/Sokratis
Tierney
Torreira
Ceballos
Pepe
Ozil
Aubameyang
Lacazette