Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Lyon in the Emirates Cup as capping off a pre-season which was a ‘success’ in preparation for their Premier League title quest which starts next weekend.
The Gunners beat the French side via two set-piece goals from William Saliba and Gabriel in a final pre-season match, following their US tour.
A penalty shootout was scheduled, regardless of the result, but it’s understood that Lyon decided to opt out of it during the game.
The north London club face Wolves on Saturday in the opening weekend of the season.
On whether the Gunners are ready to begin the season strongly, Arteta replied: ‘It looked like that to me. The way we started (this game) for sure. It’s maintaining that for 90 minutes.
‘That’s the target and the objective we need to have. There’s a lot positives to take from today’s game.’
The Spaniard on reflection was satisfied with his team’s preparation from the past month.
He said: ‘I think overall it’s been a positive pre-season. It was a success, and then the two games we’ve had here (at the Emirates) have been very competitive.
‘The team was exceptional, especially in the first half, we played at the highest level.
‘We maintained it and we dropped a little bit in the second half. The conditions were tough but good as well. So overall, very pleased.’
The £42million signing Riccardo Calafiori played his first minutes in an Arsenal shirt, coming on in the 64th minute. His appearance was met by a raucous reception from the Emirates crowd.
‘I just love it when the fans react like that to one of your own,’ said Arteta.
‘The way you feel it straight away, it’s love, you are respected, they are right behind you. And that’s an unbelievable platform for someone to join our club. That’s the platform for many players to join our club.
New signing Riccardo Calafiori was introduced as a second-half sub after completing his switch from Bologna
‘He brings a lot of versatility because he can play in two or three different positions and especially in attack, occupy different spaces because he’s a real defender.
‘When you see his press and physicality, how he goes into duels, it’s unbelievable. And then obviously he’s done a lot last year, he’s a player than can improve us.’
Arteta confirmed Jurrien Timber is expected to return to training imminently having overcome his foot problem, but Takehiro Tomiyasu is ‘weeks’ away from returning.