Arsenal returned home to conclude their 2023 pre-season schedule with victory on penalties over Monaco in this year's edition of the Emirates Cup.
On a night when Arsene Wenger was the guest of honour to watch the two clubs upon which he had the greatest impact, it marks the seventh time out of 12 that the Gunners have triumphed in the invitational summer competition in the 16 years since it was first contested.
Mikel Arteta's side didn't have things all their own way, though. Aleksandr Golovin had the best chance of tepid opening exchanges for Monaco, with the visitors eventually taking the lead with little over half an hour on the clock through midfielder Youssouf Fofana.
Fofana was impressive overall on the night and got his goal by diverting Mohamed Camara's powerful cross from the right into the far corner of Aaron Ramsdale's goal with his head.
Arsenal got back on level terms shortly before half-time when Eddie Nketiah ghosted unchecked into the penalty area and met Gabriel Martinelli's corner on the volley inside the six-yard box. Moments before that equaliser, Takehiro Tomiyasu had only been denied a headed goal by Philipp Kohn's save.
Wissam Ben Yedder was a whisker away from putting Monaco back ahead soon after half-time, sliding in to meet Caio Henrique's cross. The effort came back off the post and struck Ramsdale's back and fortunately trickling just wide. Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard also missed a chance to put his team ahead, hitting the ball straight at goalkeeper Kohn after bursting through.
Both goalkeepers were in action again before the end of normal time, as Ramsdale took flight to deny Myron Boadu and Kohn tipped over from Fabio Vieira.
The ensuing penalty shootout to decide a winner was tense, with three successful conversions from both sides before Ramsdale's strong hand parried Takumi Minamino's central strike. With one more score each, Gabriel was then able to win it with the tenth and final penalty.
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New Arsenal captain
With Martin Odegaard starting on the bench and appearing later on, Eddie Nketiah was handed the captaincy by Mikel Arteta. It was a special honour for the striker who has been with the Gunners since the age of 16 and he pointed to the armband when he scored the equaliser.
Ramsdale rises to the occasion
Aaron Ramsdale has had to contend this week with news that Arsenal are intrested in bringing Brentford goalkeeper David Raya to the club. He was beaten in the first half by Fofana, but it says plenty about his character that several saves, including one in the shootout, proved crucial.
Summer signings make Emirates debuts
Arsenal have had new arrivals Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice with them for a few weeks now, but this was their first experience of playing for the club at the Emirates Stadium following a whistlestop tour of the United States earlier in pre-season.
Timber at centre-back
The £40m Dutchman is widely expected to become Arsenal's new starting right-back, but Timber's versatility makes him a good general option should there ever be defensive gaps to plug. He has already featured at left-back in pre-season and this time lined up centrally next to William Saliba.
2023/24 season approaches
This was Arsenal's last pre-season practice before facing Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley on 6 Sunday August. After that, the start of the Premier League campaign is only six more days away and Arteta has to believe the squad is right where he wants it.
LISTEN TO THE CHRONICLES OF A GOONER, 90MIN'S ARSENAL PODCAST
On this edition of The Chronicles of a Gooner, part of the 90min podcast network, Harry Symeoureacts to Arsenal's interest in David Raya and what it means for Aaron Ramsdale, Folarin Balogun's plea to the club and the Emirates Cup! If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
This article was originally published on 90min as Arsenal 1-1 Monaco: Pictures & talking points from 2023 Emirates Cup.
