Arsenal commenced their three-match tour of the United States with a victory, defeating Bournemouth 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Los Angeles.
Arsenal’s Fabio Vieira scored the opening goal in the first half, converting Reiss Nelson’s deep cross with a volley into the bottom corner. Despite a competitive match with three yellow cards, Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke and new signing Daniel Jebbison both failed to score as Arsenal’s Karl Hein made key saves.
Bournemouth equalized through Antoine Semenyo, whose strike deflected off Omar Rekik and found the net. Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard was denied by Bournemouth’s Neto late in the game after Martin Odegaard’s assist, leading to the penalty shootout where Ryan Christie’s miss became the turning point.
Emile Smith Rowe was absent from the match, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta citing ongoing background developments as the reason for keeping him away.
Bournemouth’s match in California concludes their pre-season tour after a draw with Wrexham. Arsenal will face Manchester United at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Arsenal’s Emphasis on Youth Development
Arsenal is focused on enhancing their youth development as they aim to close the gap on Manchester City following two consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League. The Gunners are nearing a £34m deal for Italian defender Riccardo Califiori while continuing to emphasize the development of young players.
In the match against Bournemouth, four academy players featured. Ethan Nwaneri, 17, showcased his talent with a notable run but was unable to assist Eddie Nketiah effectively. Seventeen-year-old Ayden Heaven displayed composure in defense but faced challenges against Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke, requiring Hein to make a crucial save.
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’hand, 20, also played a role, demonstrating his experience from his loan spell with Den Bosch in the Netherlands. He posed a threat down the left flank, though Reiss Nelson’s performance may attract interest from other clubs like Leicester City.
Solanke’s Performance and Bournemouth’s New Kit
Bournemouth’s pre-season match was also notable for their new kit, designed by American actor Michael B. Jordan, part of Bill Foley’s ownership group. The kit lacked a front sponsor, although BJ88, an Asian online betting company, will be the main sponsor for the next two seasons before the Premier League’s ban on gambling firms as primary sponsors takes effect.
Manager Andoni Iraola is tasked with improving on last season’s 12th-place finish and securing a European spot. Dominic Solanke, who was Bournemouth’s main attacking threat, will be crucial for achieving these goals. Despite a few missed opportunities, including a shot saved by Hein, Solanke remains a key player for Bournemouth’s upcoming season.
