FC. Nurnberg 3-5 Arsenal – 3 talking points from pre-season win

Arsenal kicked off their pre-season games with a 5-3 win over FC Nurnberg on Friday afternoon. Second half goals from Gabriel Jesus, Mohamed Elneny and two own goals saw the Gunners overturn a 2-0 half time deficit in devastating fashion.

Mikel Arteta named a reasonably experienced starting side. Recruit Matt Turner started in goal while returning loanees in Pablo Mari, Hector Bellerin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and Reiss Nelson all made the Spaniard’s XI. Youngster Reuell Walters was also handed a start while new number 14 Eddie Nketiah led the line.

It was a tale of two halves as Arsenal looked a shambles all over the pitch and found themselves 2-0 down inside half an hour thanks to Johannes Geis and Kwadwo Duah strikes in what would have been really troubling for Mikel Arteta.

It was a poor first half for the Gunners as they headed into the sheds 2-0 down.

Arteta rang the changes at half-time with Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel, and Mohamed Elneny all coming on. Boy, did the changes work.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1545458597454385153?s=20&t=xpCM6xIX73WUnjwb-wyztw

Gabriel Jesus was sensational, taking just 90 seconds to score his first goal. Mohamed Elneny launched a rocket from the best part of 30 yards to bring Arsenal level. Then, just minutes later, the Gunners were ahead thanks to an own goal from Nurnberg captain Christopher Schindler.

Just minutes later, Arsenal had their fourth. After great work from Nketiah, who smashed his shot off the crossbar, it again came off a Nurnberg player in Tim Handwerker and went into the net.

Just minutes later, Jesus scored again with a cheeky flick after Martinelli whipped a superb ball for his fellow Brazilian, who flicked home. In a devastating second-half spell, Arsenal blew the game wide open.

3 talking points from Arsenal’s pre-season victory over Nurnberg

The game provided plenty of talking points. Here they are.

1. Gabriel Jesus announces himself in style

The 25-year-old Brazilian showed all his qualities in what can only be described as a perfect debut for the club. After a poor first half, his injection brought energy and enthusiasm to the team, and the goals, link-up play, and everything in between flowed.

His first strike was well taken as it showed his quality; however, his second goal was even better. A delicate flick past the keeper that will make the highlight tape.

His pressing was also on show as he hunted down loose balls and hounded defenders. Jesus was a class above today, and while it is only pre-season, he showed exactly what he can bring to this Arsenal team.

To say it’s exciting would be an understatement—the perfect debut from the 25-year-old.

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