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Arsenal secured a memorable victory over LaLiga title winners Barcelona in their third preseason friendly in preparation for the new season.
The Gunners prepare for their third preseason friendly and were looking to bounce back from their defeat to Manchester United in their previous game.
Barcelona were also looking to build on their previous win against Vissel Kobe in preparation for the new season.
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14:52 - 26.07.2023
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Arsenal were too strong for Barcelona as they secured a 5-3 win over the Spanish giants and got their first win against them since 2011.
Both teams scored two goals each in the first half through Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha for Barcelona and Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz for Arsenal.
Leonard Trossard scored a double for Arsenal in the second half before Ferran Torres reduced the two goals deficit.
The Gunners did not stop pushing for more goals and got another goal through Fabio Viera at the dying minute of the game to give the Gunners a comfortable win.
As it happened
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made a few changes to his team that lost to Manchester United in their second preseason friendly match.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez on the other hand made six changes to his team that defeated Vissel Kobe last time out.
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09:29 - 24.07.2023
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Both teams started the game brightly with Barcelona making the first move on goal with a good ball down the left flank.
Just a few minutes after the start of the first half in the 7th minute, Barcelona took the lead through Robert Lewandowski.
Arsenal responded back immediately five minutes later from a mistake from Barcelona defender putting Bukayo Saka through on goal and the Englishman slotted it nicely into the back of the net.
The Intensity of the game continued and Arsenal were given a chance to take the lead from the penalty spot after a handball from a Barcelona defender.
Saka stood in front of the ball with Ter Stegen standing to deny him but the English man could only put the ball wide of the goalpost.
Barcelona then took advantage of the Gunners' penalty miss and took the lead seven minutes later from a free kick.
Raphina stood in front of a free kick after Pedri was fouled by Thomas Partey. He struck the ball goalwards but a deflection from Martin Odegaard took the ball away from Ramsdale and went into the back of the net.
Arteta's men continued piling pressure on the Barcelona backline and got their reward in the 43rd minute through new signing Kai Havertz.
Saka found a way to get past Marcus Alonso and put on a cross which was headed by Odegaard towards the path of Havertz who slotted home his second preseason goal.
The referee blew the whistle for the end of the first half with the scoreline at 2-2 at the interval.
The second half started and both teams made several changes to their team. The Gunners did not waste any time in taking the lead through a neat finish.
Arsenal took the lead In the 55th minute when Ramsdale played a long ball into the path of Gabriel Jesus who chest the ball down for Trossard.
The Belgian drove the ball into the box to invite the Barcelona defenders before striking the ball between the legs of Konde to give Arsenal the lead.
Trossard added another goal to make it his second goal of the game from a cross he received from the left flank.
Tierney who came in to replace Timber made a delightful cross into the box and Trossard was at the right place to poke the ball home.
Barcelona got a goal back for themselves to make it 4-3 in the 88th minute when Rob Holding who replaced Gabriel slipped and gave away possession to the opponent.
Ousmane Dembele snatched the ball from holding and put a through ball towards the path of Ferran Torres who made no mistake to put the ball past the goalkeeper.
The Gunners did not relent and made sure they added another goal before the final whistle was blown.
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20:09 - 23.07.2023
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One minute after Barcelona's goal, a loose ball dropped into the path of Viera who curled the ball into the bottom left corner of the goalpost with his left foot, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
Arteta's men secured their first win over Barcelona since 2011 as they continue their preparation for the new season.
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