Arsenal 0-2 Juventus
by Layth Yousif
at Ashburton Grove

A WORRYING injury to Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson that saw him limp off in the opening stages was the main talking point from Saturday evening’s friendly match at Ashburton Grove.

While an own goal by Granit Xhaka moments before the interval and a late second from Islington-born 19-year-old substitute Samuel Iling-Junior prior to the final whistle, was enough for the illustrious visitors from Serie A to win this December warm-up, the home side will be far more preoccupied with Nelson’s worrying first-half departure.

Mikel Arteta picked a strong starting XI for the friendly against Vecchia Signora, with the added bonus of seeing Ben White back in the welcoming embrace of the red and white of Arsenal after his pointless desert sojourn.

Xhaka also featured after returning from the tournament that dare not speak its name with anyone who values principles and equality over mammon.

While the bench also contained Ghana’s Thomas Partey and US keeper Matt Turner it also showcased raw but powerful academy talent in the form of striker Nathan Butler-Oyedeji as well as Lino Souza, Reuell Walters and, of course, Ethan Nwaneri.

All of whom have caught the eye at various stages during the academy’s English Football League Trophy fixtures against seasoned lower league professionals this term.

As it was Eddie Nketiah started up front, knowing he has a huge couple of weeks ahead of him, if he wants to save boss Arteta and the club tens of millions of pounds in the January transfer window as a genuine replacement for the influential Gabriel Jesus, injured on Brazil duty and out of action for at least three long months.

Worse was to come for the Gunners in this decidedly low-key friendly — albeit one with high stakes in terms of fitness — as Nelson limped from the field in the opening stages.

The way the stricken No 24 was consoled by captain Martin Odegaard on his way to the tunnel suggested it could be a long-term problem.

As if to underline an underwhelming spell for the home side, Nketiah hit the post shortly afterwards, following a defensive mix-up that set up him — as he beat Perin, but not, alas, the woodwork.

Worse was to come for the Gunners as Xhaka’s deflected header whipped past Aaron Ramsdale moments before half time to cap a miserable opening 45 minutes for Arteta’s side.

Nketiah then had a goal disallowed after a foul by Gabriel in the box during the build-up as Arsenal simply couldn’t find a way past an obdurate Juve side, which included the combative and canny Manuel Locatelli.

Despite Arsenal’s late pressure, Juventus doubled the lead when former Chelsea academy left-winger, Iling-Junior fired past Ramsdale via the foot of Holding to seal victory for the Italians in this instantly forgettable friendly clash.

Speaking after the match, Arteta said: “We don’t know the extent of the injury. The fact he had to leave the pitch immediately is not good news, especially someone like Reiss, who is really powerful and fast. Let’s see what happens. We know what we have to do and that hasn’t changed the plans.”

If Arteta is still talking about Nelson’s injury in a week’s time when the real business of the Premier League resumes it will spell bad news for the club, as it will mean the Gunners threadbare squad just got thinner.