Eddie Nketiah scores twice as Arsenal beat Fiorentina on US pre-season tour

Last updated on 21 July 2019.From the section Arsenal126

Forward Eddie Nketiah scored twice as Arsenal beat Italian side Fiorentina 3-0 in the International Champions Cup in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Boss Unai Emery opted for a youthful side spearheaded by the 20-year-old Englishman, who scored the winner against Bayern Munich this week.

"His progress is impressive - we want progress with every player," said Emery.

Joe Willock completed Arsenal's third win of their four-match US tour.

They play Real Madrid in Landover, Maryland on Tuesday

"[Nketiah] has a very good attitude and he needs experience, minutes and confidence," Emery added.

The youngster opened the scoring in the 15th minute, before substitutes Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alexandre Lacazette combined to set up an unmissable chance for him to make it two in the 65th minute.

'I'm happy to wait' - Emery on transfers

Arsenal are close to completing the £27m signing of Saint-Etienne defender William Saliba (left)

Emery said after the match: "We are waiting. We have very good players - very good young players.

"Really I am [patient] because we want the best solution. Some players are very expensive and we are waiting for this possibility. We don't want to go to the second line of players.

"We are aware we need to improve some players in this squad. I want to sign one, two, three or four players - but only if we can be sure they are coming to improve our team.

"There are a lot of names. The club is working."

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126 comments

Comment posted by ocube, at 08:14 21 Jul 2019
Really happy for Eddie and the young lads in midfield, but that back line still needs tonne of work.
Comment posted by paul hirst, at 09:48 21 Jul 2019
Even though I support a Championship club, I enjoy watching Arsenal when they're at their fluent best. Emery isn't going to be helped much by the tight fisted Kroenke. But youth like Willock and Nketiah could be the way forward for them. Forget Zaha though, whatever cash is available should be used to shore up the Gunners questionable backline. Mustafi definitely should be first out of exit door.
Comment posted by Dr_John - not a Doctor of medicine, at 10:20 21 Jul 2019
@21 Tony

You are talking rubbish, I go to almost every home game, and there was hardly any anti-Wenger sentiment from the real fans. It was mostly driven by the media (the BBC were trying to get rid of him for years), entitled armchair fans, and a minority of narcissists on social media.

It may have been time for a change, but most fans were also sorry to see AW go - he is a club legend.
Comment posted by U17747947, at 08:52 21 Jul 2019
Emery is very sensible in his approach for players.

The trouble with any fickle football fans is that they're impatient. They won't wait for long to complain about the lack of signings.
Comment posted by U17701019, at 08:36 21 Jul 2019
Watched the game last night, very good going forward, woeful defending.

Mustafi caught twice out of position (well there were other times but 2 horrible bad ones)

If our defence is not changed, and massively improved expect to ship as many goals as last season.

Some of the youngsters look brilliant, could have a few very good players coming through.

But no new defence no top 4
Comment posted by A_FORCE_ONE, at 08:15 21 Jul 2019
Arsenal's problem is defending and has been for the last 16 years. They need to address that and they will be fine. Get some good English defenders from the Championship who enjoy defending, mentally strong and are willing to block a shot with their crown jewels. Most Arsenal defenders do not put their bodies on the line to block shots.
Comment posted by U17763658, at 12:31 21 Jul 2019
Hammers supporter & I come in peace!

Arsenal looked sharp in this match and some of the youngsters are a bit tasty.

Their back 4 needs more than their transfer budget would remedy I feel, but looking forward to see if they will improve on their "almost but not quite" level of recent years.

The most attractive playing side in the PL - When they're on it.

Here's to 2019-2020
Comment posted by Pete_B, at 08:42 21 Jul 2019
Front line is not really our problem, and I can’t see nketiah getting a look in this season unless we sell laca or auba. Need to try to offload Ozil if possible, we don’t need zaha but we do need to blow all our money on a world class central defender for THIS SEASON. Let’s face it Kos will go or be useless this season. Just look what a difference van Djik made to Liverpool.
Comment posted by paulammags, at 11:17 21 Jul 2019
We gooners should forget about slagging spurs and concentrate on our own inadequacies. Firstly we should realize our defense is not good enough and we need to buy at least a cb and a lb and a midfielder to replace Rambo. We have a quality strike force and good young players coming through to hopefully fit in when injuries occur, if we can get the best out of Ozil too, we can finish in top 4.coyg.
Comment posted by beyond818, at 08:13 21 Jul 2019
Well done lads! Kronke out, we will become a decent club again! Come on gunners!
Comment posted by TheGMen, at 08:59 21 Jul 2019
It’s well known to Gooners that it’s the back of the shop which needs attention.
There’s no point banging them in if you’re leaving the back wide open.
So be good for fans to see activity in this area.
Strange that this isn’t part of Arsenal’s narrative as it’s such an important priority.
But there's still time.
Comment posted by andy 1964, at 08:56 21 Jul 2019
It looks and sounds to me that Emery is in for the long haul and youth is the policy., This is all well and good as long as these youngsters stay at the club as they start to shine and aren’t sold or allowed to leave as in the past. I don’t think we’ll ever compete at the top end of the market so this is the best plan B I suppose. So we as fans are in for another tense season I think
Comment posted by drysler, at 10:00 21 Jul 2019
We overhype youth players often, but this current Hale End crop are some of the best we've ever had. Spend on the defence and trust the youth attackers to add the depth and extra quality we need. No one is expecting us to challenge for the title, so let them gain experience and integrate properly into the team for next season. Nketiah, Nelson, Saka & Willock at the very least are ready for it imo
Comment posted by G D, at 09:15 21 Jul 2019
Nice to see an English player getting a chance at The Arsenal again........ Sort the defence out ... a couple of midfielders... and another striker..... The Gunners may rise again ....
Comment posted by Harseybarsey, at 09:57 21 Jul 2019
In Emery's first season he finished 1 point behind spurs. Pochetino was building for 4 years! If I were a spurs fans in would be quivering.
Comment posted by Grahaml, at 09:30 21 Jul 2019
Back these kids! The premiership world wide is known for unintelligent spending, greed & success built purely on lavish spending. Its non progressive! Nurture your own & rewards are around the corner. Problem is premiership fans are not blessed with football brains or overall intelligence.
Comment posted by iRoll, at 10:55 21 Jul 2019
@32 Dr_John

Spot on! I’ve been a Clock End Gooner for decades, riding this fantastic rollercoaster we all call football. Wenger brought many more highs than lows and to me he will always be a club legend who loves Arsenal just as much as we supporters do. I’m glad we were able to show him that at his send-off.
Comment posted by U17759289, at 10:56 21 Jul 2019
@37. Saddletramp

Your owner chose a new stadium and brewery over your best ever player by selling him to R.Madrid. I think that’s really sad ☹️ he could’ve won you the title and CL.

If Bale does go to Arsenal you spurs fans should show him respect and praise him for giving Levy all that money for his personal business so you can drink beers out of plastic cups 🥛
Comment posted by mick - joe, at 09:48 21 Jul 2019
Kroenke OUT
Comment posted by Rob, at 14:00 21 Jul 2019
The future of arsenal is looking promising but more concerned about now and next season. The first team is not strong enough to challenge and are likely to finish outside top four without top quality reinforcements. A good centre back who can read the game and lead is a priority and also more mobility, pace and discipline in midfield is needed.

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