Saka Scores In Shootout As Arsenal End USA Tour With Defeat To Real Madrid

Published: July 24, 2019

Arsenal were beaten on penalties by European giants Real Madrid in their final game of the USA tour at FedEx Field (Landover, Maryland) on Wednesday.

Gunners manager Unai Emery continues to give opportunities to Bukayo Saka to stake a claim for a first-team spot ahead of the new season, with the Spaniard introducing the winger off the bench as replacement for Mesut Ozil in the 74th minute.

On the other hand, midfielder James Olayinka was a non-playing substitute for the second time in pre-season unlike the games against Colorado Rapids and Fiorentina in which he was handed playing time.

Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were on target to give Arsenal a 2-0 lead at the interval; Gareth Bale halved the deficit on 56 minutes, before Asensio brought Real Madrid level three minutes later.

With both teams tied at 2-2 at the end of regulation time, it had to be decided by a penalty shootout in which Saka netted Arsenal's third kick but teammates Xhaka, Nacho Monreal and Burton were unsuccessful.

Bale was the only player that missed for Real Madrid who claimed a 3-2 win in the shootout.

Ahead of their first competitive game of the new season vs Newcastle United on August 11, Unai Emery's men will face Olympique Lyonnais, Angers SCO and Barcelona in friendlies.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com