Arsenal kicked off their preseason tour of the USA with a 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth. It wasn’t the most exciting watch for fans at the Dignity Health Sports Park but the penalty shootout at the end offered a bit of drama.
Karl Hein was the star of the show as he saved two penalties to ensure a 5-4 penalty shootout victory for Arsenal. Hein was impressive throughout the game, making a number of saves when called upon. The towering goalkeeper is developing into a decent shot stopper. He has the physique to have a great career at the top-level.
Fabio Vieira had given Arsenal the lead in the 18th minute but Antoine Semenyo pulled the cherries level via a heavily deflected shot off Ben White. Bournemouth will be pleased with their efforts. For large spells of the game they looked the more dangerous side.
Mikel Arteta has carried a youthful side for preseason. Five of those youngsters, including Hein, started the game, three of them 17 years of age. Ayden Heaven, M. Lewis -Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri. There were also substitute appearances for C. Sagoe Jr (20), J. Nichols (17), Omar Rekik (22) and J. Gower (19). 
Arsenal fans will be pleased with what they saw from Jurrein Timber. Playing a right centre back, Timber was heavily involved in the sixty minutes he played. He’s what I’d call an all-action player. It is very difficult to not notice him either for what he does on the ball or for a crunching tackle on an opponent. Looking forward to seeing him this season.
There were definitely some issues that Mikel Arteta will want to iron out. Arsenal still didn’t create enough chances, struggled to build up and progress play from deep and overall had a lack of real threat. It’s early days so they will definitely improve on these aspects.
Arsenal fans may have also said goodbye to one of their own. Hale end’s very own Emile Smith-Rowe. He wasn’t involved in the game and this is what Mikel had to say about him.
Arteta on Smith Rowe: ” There are things happening in the background so we felt it was best not to use him .”
The arrival of Italian Defender Riccardo Calafiori will raise the mood on the tour and get fans excited. Fans will hope Arsenal still have a lot to do in the market as there are still issues with the squad especially if Smith-Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson leave as expected.
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal vs Bournemouth: “I’m very pleased to be fair. We have a very different context today with so many young players, most of them making their debuts for us so I’m really pleased to see them.
“Just looking at their faces, and the energy that they had before the game, understanding that they were going to be involved. The senior players had a good game, it was a really competitive match as we expected against Bournemouth. “They are a little bit ahead of us in terms of the time they had to prepare but [it was] a good competitive match with a lot of things to take forward.” (Source: Arsenal)
