Arsenal secured a narrow victory over Bournemouth in their opening match of a three-game U.S. tour, winning 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in Los Angeles.
Fabio Vieira put Arsenal ahead in the first half with a precise volley from Reiss Nelson’s cross, slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Bournemouth equalized with a goal from Antoine Semenyo, whose shot deflected off Omar Rekik and found the back of the net. Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Karl Hein, had previously made crucial saves to deny Dominic Solanke and Daniel Jebbison.
The match, marked by three yellow cards, saw Bournemouth’s Neto make a key save against Leandro Trossard after a strong setup by Martin Odegaard. The game proceeded to a penalty shootout where Ryan Christie’s missed penalty proved pivotal for Arsenal’s win.
Emile Smith Rowe, rumored to be moving to Fulham, was not included in the squad. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta mentioned that Smith Rowe’s absence was a precaution due to ongoing transfer discussions.
Following their match, Bournemouth concluded their Californian tour with a draw against Wrexham. Arsenal will next face Manchester United at SoFi Stadium on Saturday.
Arsenal is currently focused on nurturing young talent as part of their strategy to close the gap with Manchester City. The club is close to finalizing a £34m transfer for Italian defender Riccardo Califiori but remains committed to enhancing their youth development program.
In the game against Bournemouth, several young Arsenal players made notable appearances. Ethan Nwaneri, still only 17, showed impressive skill with a dynamic run from his own half, setting up Eddie Nketiah, who unfortunately missed the opportunity. Seventeen-year-old Ayden Heaven demonstrated composure in defense but was tested by Solanke’s agility, requiring Hein to make a critical save. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Salah-Eddine Oulad M’hand, with prior first-team experience from his loan at Den Bosch, contributed effectively down the left flank, although Nelson’s performance stood out, attracting interest from Leicester City.