Pain in the Arsenal
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Nurnberg 3-5 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gabriel Jesus shines in friendly

By James Cormack

NUREMBERG, GERMANY - JULY 08: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after their sides fourth goal after an own goal by Tim Handwerker of 1.FC Nuernberg (not pictured) during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal F.C. at Max-Morlock-Stadion on July 08, 2022 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
NUREMBERG, GERMANY - JULY 08: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after their sides fourth goal after an own goal by Tim Handwerker of 1.FC Nuernberg (not pictured) during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal F.C. at Max-Morlock-Stadion on July 08, 2022 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) /
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Gabriel Jesus was the star of the show as Arsenal prevailed 5-3 in an entertaining pre-season friendly against Bundesliga 2 outfit Nurnberg.

The Gunners started poorly and found themselves two goals behind after both Johannes Geis and Kwadwo Duah found the back of the net for the home side. Emile Smith Rowe had earlier come close for the visitors, but chances for Arsenal came few and far between in the opening period.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1545448736901431296

However, the introduction of new boy Jesus at half-time ignited Arsenal and within 12-and-a-half minutes of the restart, Arsenal were ahead 3-2. Jesus halved the initial deficit before Mohamed Elneny levelled proceedings with a piledriver from 30 yards. Christopher Schindler’s own goal then completed a rapid turnaround.

Another own goal extended Arsenal’s lead before Mikel Arteta rung the changes and introduced a few of the club’s young guns.

Jesus scored a sublime second after Nurnberg had stopped the rot and scored a third before a goal drought concluded the match to ensure Arsenal ran out 5-3 winners.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from Friday’s friendly in Germany.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Hector Bellerin captained the side on Friday. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Hector Bellerin captained the side on Friday. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) /

Matt Turner (GK) – 4.5/10 – The American didn’t cover himself in glory on his unofficial Arsenal debut. He should’ve done better to prevent Geis’ effort from breaching his defences.

Hector Bellerin (RB) – 5.5/10 – Captained the side and wasn’t too bad in an otherwise dire first half. Inverted at times to facilitate quick combinations down the right.

Reuell Walters (CB) – 6/10 – The 17-year-old handled himself pretty well on his senior, albeit, non-competitive debut. Impressive recovery speed and tidy in possession.

Pablo Mari (CB) – 4/10 – God, I haven’t missed watching this guy play football – or attempt to, at least. He struggled to defend in a high line and looked so incredibly vulnerable against the powerful Duah, who more than had his number.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 4/10 – Unsurprisingly looked rusty on his return to action. Rarely ventured forward and struggled at times in the build-up. Looked like he was playing in himself. Brought off after half an hour in what looked like a planned substitution – thankfully.

Continued on the next slide…