September 7, 2024
Nkhotakota, Malawi
Sports

Arsenal beat Bournemouth on penalties in Los Angeles

Arsenal 1-1 Bournemouth (5-4 pens)

Arsenal opened their three-match tour of the United States by beating Bournemouth – but needed a penalty shootout to overcome the Cherries in Los Angeles.

Fabio Vieira gave Arsenal a first-half lead when he met Reiss Nelson’s deep cross on the volley and drove it first time into the far bottom corner.

In a competitive game during which three players were booked, Karl Hein denied Dominic Solanke and Daniel Jebbison after the forward – who was signed from Sheffield United this summer – found himself inside the penalty area with only the Estonia goalkeeper to beat.

However, Hein had no chance of keeping out Antoine Semenyo’s strike, which hit Omar Rekik as he tried to close the effort down and dropped into the far corner.

Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto denied Leandro Trossard late on after some excellent play in the build-up from Martin Odegaard, so the pre-planned shootout settled the spoils with Ryan Christie’s miss proving decisive as Poland defender Jakub Kiwior slotted in the winning spot-kick.

All Arsenal’s experienced players available for the tour had some involvement with the exception of Emile Smith Rowe, who has been linked with a move to Fulham.