Arsenal registered their first victory in the ongoing International Champions Cup by thrashing PSG 5-1 at Kallang, Singapore. Both teams entered the stadium at the back of defeats in their previous matches. PSG lost their previous game 3-1 against Bayern Munich at Klagenfurt last week. Arsenal lost to Atletico Madrid by the same scoreline but in penalties as the scores were 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Mesut Ozil who only days back, announced his retirement from international football, captained Arsenal in the game. PSG began well with two early shots on goal. In the 13th minute, Ozil opened the scoring after tapping in a pass from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang past Gigi Buffon. Alex Iwobi and Aubameyang both had some really good chances to extend Arsenal’s lead but Buffon saved their shots. PSG also tried hard to equalize but their shots were mostly off target. Eventually, no further goals were scored during the remainder of the half and the scores were 1-1 at the interval.
At the hour-mark, Shkodran Mustafi brought down Timothy Weah. 20-year old Christopher Nkunku converted from the ensuing spot-kick as Bernd Leno dived in the wrong direction and PSG were level.
The stalemate lasted only 7 minutes as substitutes Emile Smith-Rowe and Alexandre Lacazette combined to restore Arsenal’s lead. Smith-Rowe gave a cross from the right and Lacazette’s little flick saw the ball go into the goal. Four minutes later, Lacazette headed in to score his second of the match.
A header from substitute Rob Holding in the 87th minute made it 4-1 for The Gunners before Edward Mketiah added a fifth in stoppage time. It was a pretty impressive win for Arsenal. On the contrary, Gigi Buffon had to be on the receiving end of probably one of the most embarrasing defeats of his career.
Arsenal will now travel to Dublin where they will take on Chelsea on Wednesday while PSG take on Atletico Madrid at Kallang on Monday.
