MX23RW : Tuesday, December 27 01:25:31| >> :120:6481:6481:
[monks data]
Dec 17, 2022 at 6pm UK at Emirates Stadium
Arsenal
0 - 2
Juventus
FT(HT: 0-1)
Xhaka (45+1' og.), Holding (90+1' og.)

Granit Xhaka scores own goal as Arsenal lose to Juventus

Xhaka scores own goal as Arsenal lose to Juventus
© Reuters
Granit Xhaka scores an own goal as Arsenal end their period of winter friendlies with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to an inexperienced Juventus side at the Emirates.

Granit Xhaka scored an own goal as Arsenal ended their period of winter friendlies with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to an inexperienced Juventus side at the Emirates.

Despite dominating the ball throughout the contest, a wasteful Gunners XI were put to the sword by Xhaka's header into his own net and a deflected Samuel Iling-Junior effort in second-half injury time.

A recognisable Arsenal XI saw Aaron Ramsdale back in between the sticks, while a weakened Juventus side was headlined by Moise Kean, Daniele Rugani and former Gunners target Manuel Locatelli.

As such, it was no surprise to see Massimiliano Allegri's men camped inside their own half for the majority of the opening exchanges, and Reiss Nelson sent an effort into the side-netting within the first minute.

Fabio Vieira then stung the palms of Mattia Perin with 10 minutes gone as Arsenal continued to dominate, but Mikel Arteta was dealt another injury blow with a quarter of the game gone.

Already without Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith Rowe, Arsenal could not call upon Oleksandr Zinchenko (muscle), Takehiro Tomiyasu (hamstring) and Albert Sambi Lokonga (knock), and Nelson then pulled up with a suspected hamstring issue.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on December 17, 2022© Reuters

The Englishman left the field to be replaced by Marquinhos, but profligacy continued to plague the Gunners, who had an Eddie Nketiah goal ruled out for offside in the 34th minute.

Nketiah had the chance to make amends straight away as Fabio Miretti conceded possession in a dangerous area from the resulting free kick, but with Perin out of position and most of the goal gaping, he could only strike the post.

That wasted opportunity would come back to bite Arsenal in first-half injury time, as Xhaka headed an inswinging cross from Tommaso Barbieri into his own net to gift the Old Lady an undeserved half-time advantage.

Arteta's crop came out all guns blazing in the second half and managed to force the ball into the back of the net in the 61st minute as Nketiah challenged for a header, but history repeated itself for the striker, whose goal came after a clash of heads involving Gabriel Magalhaes and was subsequently chalked off.

The academy graduates arrived en masse in the final exchanges as Arsenal sought a way back into the match, but Allegri's staunch defence continued to hold firm and repelled a myriad of poor Gunners crosses.

Fifteen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri enjoyed a bright cameo and flashed an effort wide in the 88th minute after a smart swivel, but the final nail in the coffin would arrive via Iling-Junior in added time, as the 19-year-old's close-range shot from a tight angle deflected off of Rob Holding into the far corner.

The diminutive Bianconeri crowd would celebrate at the final whistle, and Arsenal now have nine days to recover before resuming Premier League duties at home to West Ham United on Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, Allegri's outfit travel back to Turin gearing up for their return to Serie A action against Cremonese on January 4.

ID:502237:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6847:No Data Analysis info
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How you voted: Arsenal vs Juventus

Arsenal
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Draw
8.3%
Juventus
16.7%
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on November 12, 2022
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal15131136122440
2Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1696132112133
3Manchester CityMan City14102240142632
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs1693433231030
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd148242020026
6Liverpool1574431181325
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton157352620624
8Fulham166462726122
9Chelsea146351717021
10Brentford164842527-220
11Crystal Palace155461521-619
12Aston Villa165381725-818
13Leicester CityLeicester165292528-317
14Bournemouth154471832-1416
15Leeds UnitedLeeds144372226-415
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham1642101320-714
17Everton163581219-714
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves163491025-1513
19Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest153481130-1913
20Southampton1633101430-1612

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