Barcelona’s 2023–24 season preparations got off to a bad start when the Catalans fell to Arsenal 5–3 in their first preseason game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Although Mikel Arteta’s team took the match extremely seriously from the off and won a lively contest that never seemed like a friendly, Barça seized the early lead but battled physically and had a difficult night at the back.
In their fourth preseason matchup against a Barça team making their debut, Arsenal was able to immediately tell the difference in fitness and energy. Out of possession, the Gunners were significantly quicker and more aggressive, and the Blaugrana struggled mightily to handle Arsenal’s push the whole half.
However, the Catalans managed to take the lead thanks in large part to an outstanding solo effort from Ez Abde, who won the ball inside his own half and carried it all the way through to the other end before finding Raphinha, who forced a superb save from Aaron Ramsdale and provided Robert Lewandowski with the opportunity to score an easy tap-in to give Barça the lead.
The game lacked quality from either side after a frantic first 20 minutes due to a lot of rough play from both teams that resulted in several fouls and bookings. When a free kick from Raphinha rebounded off Martin Odegaard and into the goal, Barça scored once more owing to good fortune, igniting the match once more.
Once more, Arsenal played their best game and attacked with quality and purpose. After a header from Odegaard found Kai Havertz all alone, Havertz scored the second equaliser.
A lively and combative match was tied at the half, and many changes were anticipated on Barça’s side after the interval.
DEUXIME HALF
While Xavi Hernández fielded a completely different lineup for the final session, focusing mostly on fitness and giving as many players a chance to play, Mikel Arteta made just one change at halfway.
Leandro Trossard, who was given a long ball from the back and went purposefully towards a retreating Jules Kounde, scored the game’s opening goal 10 minutes into the half as Arsenal continued to play very serious football and pursue the victory.
The Barça team improved its ability to escape Arsenal’s press in the second half and gradually started to appear as a coherent unit that knew what it was doing.
The most of the period belonged to the Blaugrana, who had the superior team. When Fati found Ousmane Dembélé in the box, the Frenchman had a golden opportunity to equalise, but he struck the post instead. A few minutes later, on a counterattack, Trossard scored his second goal of the game, ensuring Arsenal’s triumph.
Lamine Yamal, a La Masia standout, was then given 10 minutes of action at the very end of the game by Xavi, and the 16-year-old showed flashes of his extraordinary skill. After a strong run and assist from Dembélé, Ferran Torres made it 4-3 with two minutes left as Barça continued to attack and try to get back into the game.
But Fábio Vieira struck a fantastic goal.
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba (Kiwior 70’), Gabriel (Holding 84’), Timber (Tierney 70’); Odegaard (Vieira 62’), Partey (Jorginho 70’), Havertz (Smith Rowe 46’); Saka (Cozier-Duberry 84’), Jesus (Nketiah 79’), Trossard (Martinelli 79’)
Goals: Saka (13’), Havertz (43’), Trossard (56’, 78’), Vieira (90’)
Barcelona 1H: Ter Stegen; Dest, Araujo, Christensen, Alonso; Pedri, Romeu, Gundogan; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Abde
Barcelona 2H: Peña; Roberto, Kounde, Eric, Balde; López (Yamal 79’), De Jong, Kessie; Dembélé, Ferran, Fati
Goals: Lewandowski (7’), Raphinha (34’), Ferran (88’)
