Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth in the first game of their USA pre-season tour.
Mikel Arteta named quite a few young players in his starting lineup against the Cherries at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles, California.
It was a good test for the academy players, and there were some great performances across the pitch.
Fabio Vieira found the net to give the Gunners the lead in the first half but the Cherries equalised late in the game to hold Arsenal to a 1-1 draw.
But, Arsenal did manage to win the penalty shootout, which was scheduled to take place irrespective of the score.
Arsenal player ratings vs Bournemouth
Karl Hein: 9.5/10
Hein was the star of the show for Arsenal.
The Estonia international was brilliant in the game and made multiple good saves – one of them was outstanding. Then, he stopped two penalties to help the Gunners win the penalty shootout.
Ben White: 8/10
A solid game from White, who did what he had to do. He supported Vieira well in attack and seems to have a good understanding with Jurrien Timber at the back as well.
Jurrien Timber: 7.5/10
Timber almost cost Arsenal a goal in the first half after a sloppy pass to Thomas Partey, but he was nearly flawless from that point. He made a couple of brilliant blocks and kept the Cherries attackers at bay.
Ayden Heaven: 7/10
Heaven looks like a real talent. Although naturally a midfielder, the youngster was deployed in the heart of the defence again and he looked solid for large parts.
Solanke almost scored at one point after an error, but for Heaven to do what he’s doing at 17 years of age is very impressive.
Myles Lewis-Skelly: 8.5/10
Lewis-Skelly was fantastic for Arsenal, especially in the first half. He started at left-back and did a brilliant job – not just with the ball at his feet but while defending too.
The youngster’s performance against experienced Premier League attackers deserves a lot of praise.
Thomas Partey: 7.5/10
A mixed game for Partey. The Ghanaian showed his class on the ball on multiple occasions, but he gave it away a couple of times as well in the first half. Nothing to be upset about, though.
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand: 8/10
Salah-Eddine looked so comfortable on the ball. He showed incredible close control in that first half, and it really was a joy to see him in possession. It was a shame to see him substituted at half-time.
Ethan Nwaneri: 8/10
Nwaneri brought all the fans in the stadium to their feet with a truly incredible run from his own half into the final third early in the game. He was good on the ball, showed no fear whatsoever and it’s clear as day that he has a massive future ahead of him.
The teenager had a relatively quiet second half, but he should still be pleased with his display.
Eddie Nketiah: 7.5/10
Nketiah looked really hungry. He was eager to get on the ball and linked play really well. However, once again, he failed to take his chances inside the box.
Reiss Nelson: 8.5/10
Nelson was one of the best players on the pitch in the first half. The Englishman looked good on the ball and worked really hard at both ends of the pitch. He picked up a brilliant assist as well.
Fabio Vieira: 9/10
Vieira was absolutely incredible in the first half. The attacker got on the ball regularly and looked at home on the right wing. Great performance from him even though he wasn’t as effective after the break!
Substitutes
Martin Odegaard: 9/10
The skipper came on at half-time and he was fantastic. Odegaard was clearly the best player on the pitch and even came close to scoring from a free-kick. He should’ve had at least one assist as well.
Jorginho: 6.5/10
The Italian was introduced to bring some control in the middle of the park, but he struggled to do so with many youngsters around him.
However, Jorginho made a goal-saving block inside the box and converted from the spot in the shootout.
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 6.5/10
Zinchenko looked composed whenever he got on the ball and did what he had to do. He scored in the shootout as well.
Jakub Kiwior: 6.5/10
Kiwior was brought on to play as a centre-back by Arteta, and he didn’t really have much to do. The Pole, like the two players above, scored from the spot to help Arsenal win the shootout.
Gabriel Jesus: 6.5/10
Jesus tried really hard to have an impact on the game. A few of his touches were really good, but he just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net.
His penalty in the shootout, however, was the best of the bunch.
Omar Rekik: 4/10
Rekik looked uncomfortable at the back after he came on. It was his mistake that led to Bournemouth’s equaliser, and we’re sure he will be frustrated with his display.
Leandro Trossard: 4.5/10
A really disappointing performance from Trossard. The Belgian didn’t really get on the ball on his own, and even when Odegaard put him through on goal, he failed to convert it.
To make it worse, he missed his penalty in the shootout as well. An evening to forget!
Josh Nichols: 6/10
Nichols came on to replace Ben White towards the end of the game and he did a decent job.
Jimi Gower: 6/10:
Gower came on to replace Nwaneri late in the game, and he didn’t have much to do.
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