Arsenal beat As Monaco to win a record 7th Emirates Cup. However,it was no easy job for Mikel Arteta’s side as they were made to fight tooth and nail to emerge from one goal down to eventually win via penalties. Arsenal came into this fixture off a back of wins over MLS All stars team and Barcelona and a defeat to Manchester United.
The Gunners’ pre-season preparation culminated in a positive manner with a thrilling encounter against AS Monaco in the Emirates Cup. The Emirates Cup, an invitational football competition hosted by Arsenal at their home ground, Emirates Stadium, in Holloway, London, has been held every summer, except for a few exceptions.
Facing AS Monaco in the Emirates Cup final, the North London club prevailed in an intense battle that ended 1-1 in regular time. Monaco took the lead through Youssouf Fofana, but Arsenal displayed resilience and found a late equalizer courtesy of Eddie Nketiah. The match proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Aaron Ramsdale’s brilliance saved the spot-kick from Takumi Minamino, sealing the Gunners’ 5-4 victory in the tie-breaker.
Arsenal the Kings of the Emirates Cup
The Emirates Cup’s history boasts Arsenal’s dominance, with the club securing victories in multiple editions of the tournament. They claimed the inaugural title in 2007, and later emerged victorious in 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017, and most recently in 2022. However, they faced tough competition from other winners, including Hamburg in 2008, New York Red Bulls in 2011, Galatasaray in 2013, Valencia in 2014, and Lyon in 2019.
Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain have been regular guests, competing in the Emirates Cup on three occasions each. Lyon clinched the title once and finished as runners-up, while PSG secured the runners-up spot twice.
Looking ahead, Arsenal’s successful pre-season campaign undoubtedly sets a positive tone for the upcoming 2023-24 season. The Gunners will now shift their focus to the Community Shield, which has been marred by controversy due to Manchester City fans threatening to boycott the event.
The match between Manchester City and Arsenal is scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium on August 6. This annual curtain-raiser serves as an exciting opportunity for both teams to showcase their early-season form and set the stage for their upcoming campaigns.
What next for Arsenal?
Arsenal’s victory in the Emirates Cup not only reflects their resilience and determination but also indicates their readiness to face challenging opponents. With the new season on the horizon, fans eagerly anticipate watching their favorite team compete at the highest level.
In conclusion, Arsenal’s triumphant win in the Emirates Cup adds another remarkable achievement to their pre-season success. As the club prepares to face Manchester City in the Community Shield, their fans can take pride in the team’s performance and remain optimistic about the upcoming season. The Gunners’ pursuit of excellence continues, and their dedication to success remains unwavering.
Watch the highlights of the match as it happened via Arsenal’s YouTube Channel below
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Congrats Gunners!
Congrats Gunners!