ARSENAL extended their perfect pre-season record to four wins after beating Orlando City 3-1 at the Exploria Stadium.
The Gunners opened the scoring with Gabriel Martinelli only for Orlando to equalise with a stunner by Facundo Torres.
However, manager Mikel Arteta introduced his marquee players in the second half and regained the lead with goals by Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson.
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That’s all from Orlando!
Arsenal defeated Orlando City 3-1 at the Exploria Stadium to extend their pre-season record to four wins out of four friendly matches.
This proved to be a dramatic encounter before a ball was kicked as it endured a one-hour delay due to weather conditions in Florida.
The Gunners fielded a rather alternative line-up but started strong as they opened the scoring after just five minutes.
A one-two between Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli inside the box saw the latter producing a crisp curling shot.
Martinelli’s effort appeared to have picked a heavy deflection off of Antonio Carlos but the Brazilian was ultimately credited.
Orlando retaliated soon after on 24 minutes when a wonderful pass by Facundo Torres set Benji Michel in front of Aaron Ramsdale but the England international denied his low shot with his right foot.
However, the hosts managed to equalise when Torres picked a nice ball by Carlos and beat Ramsdale with a stunning shot from the edge of the area that hit the Arsenal keeper’s bottom left corner after 29 minutes.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta introduced his marquee players in the second half and the balances tilted in favour of the visitors.
Gabriel Jesus didn’t score this time but was crucial in the North Londoners’ efforts to turn things around.
Jesus picked a pass from Martin Odegaard inside the area and a tackle led to a loose ball that was picked by Nketiah who gave Arsenal the lead in the 66th minute.
The visitors put it to bed when Odegaard played the ball to Bukayo Saka on the right and the England international set Reiss Nelson with a beautiful cross 10 minutes before full-time.
That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a lovely night!
Credit: Reuters Stats
Arsenal turned things around in the second half when they introduced their marquee signings.
The Gunners dominated 57 per cent of possession against Orlando City.
The North Londoners registered 19 shots, 11 of which were on target.
Orlando, on the other hand, produced only five shots, but three of them were on target
FT: Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal defeated Orlando City with a comfortable 3-1 score at the Exploria Stadium.
This proved to be a dramatic encounter before a ball was kicked as it endured a one-hour delay due to weather conditions in Florida.
The Gunners fielded a rather alternative line-up but started strong as they opened the scoring after just five minutes.
A one-two between Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli inside the box saw the latter producing a crisp curling shot.
Martinelli’s effort appeared to have picked a heavy deflection off of Antonio Carlos but the Brazilian was ultimately credited.
Orlando retaliated soon after on 24 minutes when a wonderful pass by Facundo Torres set Benji Michel in front of Aaron Ramsdale but the England international denied his low shot with his right foot.
However, the hosts managed to equalise when Torres picked a nice ball by Carlos and beat Ramsdale with a stunning shot from the edge of the area that hit the Arsenal keeper’s bottom left corner.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta introduced his marquee players in the second half and the balances tilted in favour of the visitors.
Gabriel Jesus didn’t score this time but he was crucial in the North Londoners’ efforts to turn things around.
Jesus picked a pass from Martin Odegaard inside the area and a tackle led to a loose ball that was picked by Nketiah who gave Arsenal the lead in the 66th minute.
The visitors put it to bed when Odegaard played the ball to Bukayo Saka on the right and the England international set Reiss Nelson with a beautiful cross 10 minutes before full-time
Credit: Reuters
FT: Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal
Peep!
That’s full-time in Orlando!!!
Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal
90+3 Chance!
Nelson delivers a fiery free-kick from the left but Gallese palms it away as he lunges to his right
Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal
90+3 Yellow card
Ruan gets booked for a rough foul on Nelson down the left flank.
Arsenal get a free-kick from a promising position
Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal
90 Three more minutes of stoppage time to go.
Arsenal have cooled down as we approach full-time
Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal
88 Arsenal, who debuted their away jersey for the coming season, have had a rather easy job tonight.
An easy victory for the Gunners, whose pre-season success continues
Credit: AP Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal
86 Chance!
Arsenal ace Xhaka takes on a free-kick from a promising position and just misses Gallese’s bottom right corner
Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal
85 Substitution
Orlando manager Pareja responds withe a double switch as Tablante takes Michel’s place while Williams replaces Pato
Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal
84 Substitution
Arsenal manager Arteta introduces Bellerin, who replaces Tavares
Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal
82 Chance!
Saka wants one for himself as he comes down the right flank again and tries a shot but Gallese denies him
Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal
80 That should be it…
Odegaard finds Saka on the right sinde of the area and the England international delivers a cross to Nelson who fires the ball to the back of Gallese’s net
Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal
Goal!
Arsenal seal it with Nelson!!!
Orlando City 1-2 Arsenal
79 Chance
Saka gets the ball down the right and tries a shot from the edge of the area but it’s too weak and Gallese picks it up with ease
Orlando City 1-2 Arsenal
78 Chance!
Odegaard tees Jesus off again inside the area and the star striker gets a shot from a tight angle down the right.
But the shot is blocked by Gallese’s face, yes you read that right!
Orlando City 1-2 Arsenal
78 Arsenal continue to dominate as we slowly approach full-time.
Orlando have not been able to replicate their first-half performance
Orlando City 1-2 Arsenal
75 And we’re back underway!
Both of Arsenal’s goalscorers – Martinelli and Nketiah – have come off
Orlando City 1-2 Arsenal
74 Substitution
Arsenal manager Arteta responds with nelson taking Nketiah’s place.
And it is now time for a coolling break
Orlando City 1-2 Arsenal
73 Substitution
Another switch for Orlando manager Pareja as Lynn replaces Mulraney
Orlando City 1-2 Arsenal
73 Saliba hasn’t had to do much ever since his introduction in the second half.
But when the Arsenal ace is needed he is always composed and clinical
Orlando City 1-2 Arsenal
70 Arsenal are absolutely dominating possession in the second half.
Jesus, Odegaard and Nketiah have been on fire so far
Orlando City 1-2 Arsenal
68 The difference in quality is evident after the introduction of the marquee players.
Orlando haven’t had much of a say in the second half
Orlando City 1-2 Arsenal
66 Arsenal have regained the lead with Nketiah.
Odegaard finds Jesus in the area and the striker gets dispossessed.
However, Nketiah comes in and delivers a shot that ends up in Gallese’s bottom left corner
Orlando City 1-2 Arsenal
Goal!
Nketiah gives Arsenal the lead!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
