Arsenal concluded their pre-season with a 2-0 win over French side Lyon, successfully defending the Emirates Cup.
The Gunners had an early chance when Bukayo Saka directed a header from a Martinelli cross on target, but it was easily caught by the goalkeeper. Arsenal controlled the game, generating several corners as they pressed into Lyon's half.
The breakthrough arrived in the 9th minute from one of those set-pieces, as William Saliba rose to head in a delivery from Declan Rice, giving Arsenal a 1-0 lead.
Another corner from Rice caused problems for Lyon, with Saliba again posing a threat in the box. Saka had another header from a Zinchenko cross, but it went wide of the far post. Rice then attempted a long-range shot, which was comfortably saved. A brilliant play by Odegaard allowed Martinelli to break through, but a Lyon defender blocked his cross intended for Havertz. However, from the resulting corner, Arsenal extended their lead. Rice delivered another excellent ball, and Gabriel powered in a header to make it 2-0.
Arsenal nearly scored a third when a superb pass from Havertz sent Martinelli racing through, but a defender managed to disrupt his shot. Havertz then headed over after Martinelli nodded a Saka free kick back across goal, while Lyon had a rare opportunity when Said Benrahma shot wide of Raya’s near post.
A few minutes later, a dangerous cross from Ainsley Maitland-Niles almost found Georges Mikautadze, but Raya intervened to clear the danger. Mikel Arteta’s side held onto their two-goal lead as they went into halftime.
Surprisingly, there were no substitutions at the break. Mikautadze had the first chance of the second half but shot over. Martinelli then set up Odegaard for a shot from the edge of the box, but the Lyon keeper made a fantastic save to tip it around the post.
Partey curled a shot wide after Rice's attempt was blocked, and Havertz also shot wide following good movement from Martinelli. Saka's third header of the match, this time from a Zinchenko cross, struck the bottom of the post.
Saka nearly connected with an Odegaard pass as they combined in the Lyon box. In the 63rd minute, Arteta made his first substitutions, bringing on Riccardo Calafiori for Zinchenko, who received a warm reception from the crowd. Gabriel Jesus replaced Declan Rice, allowing Havertz to move back into midfield, while Lyon made several changes as well. Saliba came close to scoring again, heading a Saka free kick just wide.
With about 15 minutes left, Arteta introduced Jakub Kiwior, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Leandro Trossard, and Reiss Nelson for Havertz, Saka, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, and Martinelli. Eddie Nketiah, who has been linked with a move to Marseille, remained on the bench.
Odegaard’s vision set up Nelson for a shot that the keeper saved at his near post. At the other end, a quick long throw caught Jorginho off guard, but Raya was there to deny the Lyon forward as he entered the box.
A clever run from Jesus and a well-placed pass from Odegaard created another opportunity, but the flag was raised for offside. Nwaneri showcased his talent with an impressive run and turn into the box, following it up with a right-footed shot that was saved by the keeper.
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