So in the early hours of this morning we won 1-1.
As is now the norm in these American based friendlies, the draw is followed by a penalty shootout to satisfy the Yanks need for a winner in every match.
I did not get up to watch the game, so everything I know is form social media.
A starting XI mixed with youth and experience saw Ben White, Thomas Partey, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah start. It was the Portuguese man that put us 1-nil up after 18 months with a fantastic finish.
Vieira showed in that moment why Arsenal signed him. He has fabulous left foot. His issue since joining The Arsenal is Martin Odegaard has become world class and never gets injured. If Vieira stays fit this season, Mikel Arteta needs to consider giving our captain a rest every now and again and play Vieira.
It looks like it was a fairly uneventful first half bar the goal, and then during the second half the game became fragmented due to the amount of substitutions.
On the 63rd minute, we made 7 substitutions, and 10-minutes later Bournemouth got their equaliser. And 1-1 is how the game finished before we then secured “victory” in the penalty shoot out.
Fans watching the game named Karl Hein Man of the Match.
With David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale still on their summer break, Hein will get a run in the team. It will be interesting to see if he can change Arteta’s mind on needing a new number 2.
We finish with plenty of transfer news.
Reiss Nelson is being heavily linked with Leicester City. Probably a loan deal with either an option or obligation to buy.
Expect more of these sort of deals to happen due to PSR. Teams can better account for the future if they already know what they are spending on transfers 12-months into the future. They are also a common way clubs trade players in Italy.
Also on his way out looks to be Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham. A fee of £35million has been floated. That is a good deal for someone with so many injury issues.
Finally, a reminder not to read too much into pre-season friendlies.
You never know what you are going to get in these early friendlies. We are clearly in the middle of high intensity training, have key players missing and made loads of substitutes. Yesterday Manchester City lost to Celtic.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 