Arsenal saw off Al-Nasr Dubai SC with a 3-2 victory in their mid-season friendly, with a number of youngsters given the chance to impress.
Unai Emery gave chances to all the senior players who made the trip to Dubai, but that still left room in the team for a number of academy stars to make rare appearances for the first team.
The combination took a little while to gel though, with Al Nasr taking the lead in the 14th minute. Carl Jenkinson brought things level before half time, before Alexandre Lacazette and debutant Tyreece John-Jules made it 3-1. There was still time for the hosts to pull one back with a 90th-minute penalty, but Arsenal left with the win.
The main thing was to avoid injury and get a good run out, and on that front, the event was a success. Let’s have a look at our player ratings for the match.
Forwards
Xavier Amaechi 6.5
Amaechi was very lively, trying to take players on and find a killer pass, but it didn’t always come off for him. His best work was in the build-up to the first goal, where he took one or two players on before laying it off for Denis Suarez. The teenager ended up coming off at half-time to give some others a chance.
Denis Suarez 8
Given his first start for Arsenal, albeit in a friendly, Suarez impressed the Gunners supporters. He was one of few who was up for driving forward and making things happen from the first minute until the last, and his clever reverse pass saw Carl Jenkinson get in behind for the opening goal.
The Spaniard may well have earned himself some more game time when the competitive fixtures return.
Alexandre Lacazette 7
Lacazette worked hard but did look a little affected by the conditions. He got his goal in the second half anyway, finishing nicely, and he could’ve had one or two more. Though calling his part in the first goal an “assist” is being a little kind, it was still his presence that opened up the gap for Jenkinson to score.