Arsenal's Pre-Season Encounter: Kai Havertz Shines in 1-1 Draw against Nurnberg
Arsenal's debut of Kai Havertz didn't secure victory as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Nurnberg Mikel Arteta's side aimed for more goals, leaving fans eager for their next move in the pre-season schedule Stay updated on the summer transfer window with Sky Sports
Kai Havertz made his debut for Arsenal, but it was not a victorious beginning for the ex-Chelsea player. Mikel Arteta's team was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Nurnberg in Germany.
The Gunners got off to a rapid start, with Bukayo Saka, who recently scored a hat-trick for England, continuing his impressive form from last season. He skillfully cut in from the right wing and unleashed a trademark finish into the far corner.
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Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead in the first half.
Despite losing their captain Martin Odegaard to a minor injury during warm-up, Arsenal displayed a confident passing game. Particularly, Jakub Kiwior, Leandro Trossard, and Reiss Nelson on the left flank showcased good teamwork and effectiveness.
Saka came closest to increasing the lead as he took a shot from the edge of the box, which was saved by goalkeeper Christian Mathenia. William Saliba, who missed the last 11 games of the previous season due to a back injury while Arsenal's title challenge deteriorated, made a comeback in Arteta's defense alongside Gabriel Magalhaes. They faced little opposition in a highly comfortable first 45 minutes of pre-season for the club from north London.
Arteta made several changes at half-time, bringing on Havertz for his debut. Gabriel Jesus, Kieran Tierney, Jorginho, Cedric Soares, and goalkeeper Karl Hein were also brought into the game. In the second half, Folarin Balogun replaced Leandro Trossard early on.
We will observe. We must gauge his adaptability, establish connections, and foster relationships. Football revolves around these factors, and only time will reveal his optimal position.
Mikel Arteta on Kai Havertz's potential role
Jesus came close to scoring when Tierney's long throw released him, but his shot veered off target and missed the far post. Soon after, Cedric's left-footed strike curled wide of the upright in a moment of agony, following a great play by Fabio Vieira.
Arsenal continued to create chances, and next up was Balogun, who had scored an impressive 21 goals in Ligue 1 for Reims last season. However, his attempt from a difficult angle hit the post and Nurnberg managed to survive the scare.
Just minutes later, Kanji Okunuki capitalized on Hein's sloppy pass to Jorginho, making Arsenal pay. The midfielder swiftly reached the ball, effortlessly slotting it into the empty net to bring the hosts back on level terms.
As substitutions continued to disrupt the flow of the game, both sides had further opportunities. Hein was tested by Ali Loune's powerful long-range shot, while Christoph Daferner's rebound grazed the crossbar, allowing Arsenal to survive.
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Jakub Kiwior showcased his skills as a left-back for the Gunners.
In a thrilling moment, the Gunners managed to create a final opportunity. Balogun swiftly broke through the Nurnberg defense, connecting with Myles Lewis-Skelly's perfectly placed through ball. With only goalkeeper Carl Klaus standing in his way, the USA international skillfully maneuvered the ball around him. Unfortunately, Balogun's strike found its place in the side netting, leaving Arteta's team with no choice but to accept the draw.
'We could have scored more goals'
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta:On if he got what he wanted to see from the game...
"Yes, I observed several promising aspects, particularly in the first half, thanks to the boys' dedication. Considering that they've only had three training sessions, it was essential to provide them with playing time and opportunities to reconnect with one another. Despite the numerous modifications we made, I have noticed significant improvements. However, it was expected that the game would suffer in terms of quality and control.
Regarding the opportunities generated by my team..."
We displayed a commendable performance in the first half, with potential for scoring more goals. Even in the second half, we had significant opportunities to score that were unfortunately missed. Such occurrences are inherent in football, where mistakes are an integral aspect of the sport.
Regarding injuries within the team's camp...
"We will give opportunities to academy players"
What's next for Arsenal?
It's the opportunity we wanted to provide to them, considering the multitude of changes and the challenge of not playing in the optimal environment with fellow players. Nevertheless, I believe they performed remarkably well.The Gunners will depart for America on Sunday, and their first match will take place on July 20 against the MLS All-Stars at Audi Field, commencing at 4.30am.
Arsenal's pre-season schedule...
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Arsenal's next pre-season assignment is against the MLS All-Stars on July 20
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