Last Thursday night Arsenal wrapped up its’ U.S. pre-season tour in Los Angeles by going toe to toe with defending La Liga champions, Barcelona. Compared to the previous game against Manchester United, this was a much more enjoyable watch both due to the performance as well as the overall competitive nature of the game itself. Arsenal came away victorious via a 5-3 final score, featuring a two goal showing from Leandro Trossard.

Although a slow start saw the North Londoners fall behind 0-1 early after a flash counter attack that concluded with Robert Lewandowski scoring from close range, it only took six minutes for Arsenal to respond. From there, it was a back and forth track meet the whole way through.

Mikel Arteta went with a more experienced lineup that looked to be more indicative of what an opening day starting 11 could look like for Arsenal. Attacking up front were Trossard, Jesus, and Saka. Behind them in midfield were the trio of Havertz, Partey, and Odegaard. Defending the back line was a foursome made up of Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, and White.

To illustrate just how much more potent the attacking end of the field was this time around, Arsenal more than doubled both its’ total shots as well as shots on target in comparison to the prior match. Nine shots on target saw five go through, leaving Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen with his hands full from the starting whistle. Arsenal were able to have periods of sustained pressure in and around the Barcelona box, and showed the same prowess that guided the Gunners to a second place finish in the league last year.

As effortless as the offensive side of the field appeared at times, the Arsenal defense did not have an easy night dealing with the pressure put on by the opposition. Barcelona could’ve easily made the game level as two shots hit the post, and despite Barca enjoying nearly 60% possession during the game the counter-attacks throughout proved to be quite potent as well for the Spanish side. Similarly to Manchester United, Barca made the most of their chances with three of the four total shots on target getting through.

What will be on the minds of the Arsenal defenders when looking back on this game will be the first goal. William Saliba did well at first to hang with Abde on the counter-attack up the field, but let his cushion get too small which allowed Abde to turn on the jets and get past as he approached the Arsenal box. Jurrien Timber, who also did a decent job marking Raphinha off-ball, lapses for a split second that gives Raphinha an opening to connect with the cross from Abde. Fortunately, Aaron Ramsdale summons an incredible save to bail Timber out, only to see it fall directly to Robert Lewandowski who scores on the rebound. All Gabriel could do was watch as Lewandowski stroked it home. In summary, the job was 90% done by the Arsenal defenders, but it only takes that last bit to ruin the whole effort.

Physicality was prevalent throughout the evening with four yellow cards being shown, although the count felt like it could’ve been double. Given the game was played in the same stadium the San Francisco 49ers call home, it may not be a coincidence. On multiple occasions a player lowered his shoulder and plowed his way through an opponent – which was a sight to behold in a sport where at times the slightest touch can initiate a spectacle worthy of an Academy Award. In my view, this made the game all the more exciting to watch as it felt like a there was more at stake instead of the reality of an exhibition match.

Now, the Gunners will head back to England to play the final two games before kicking off the Premier League season on August 12th. Final preparations and decisions will be made over the next week and a half or so, with the final game against Manchester City presumably debuting something very close to what the starting eleven will be for Arsenal to start the season. From what we’ve seen so far I don’t think it will be particularly surprising. I’d expect it to look familiar to last season’s squad, with the three new signings of Timber, Havertz, and Rice given their significant involvement thus far. After his superb showing against Barcelona and the pre-season as a whole, it would be nice to see Leandro Trossard get the starting nod as well, but that remains to be seen.

Opening the season against Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, and Fulham in the first thee weeks is about as fortunate a starting slate as any. It will be important to use these next two games to tie up any loose ends so the draw to start the season can be taken advantage of. There isn’t a better way to start doing that than putting a good result together against Monaco.

Stay tuned!