Kai Havertz Makes First Arsenal Appearance in Draw Against Nurnberg in Germany
In what was a highly anticipated match, all eyes were on Kai Havertz as he made his first appearance for Arsenal against Nurnberg in Germany. However, it was Bukayo Saka who once again stole the show with an early curling goal. Folarin Balogun had two missed opportunities after coming on in the second half, while Ethan Nwaneri made a positive impact off the bench. Myles Lewis-Skelly, a 16-year-old, was also given some playing time towards the end of the fixture.
With Matt Turner away on international duty, Estonian goalkeeper Karl Hein had the chance to impress manager Mikel Arteta. Unfortunately for Hein, an error on his part led to Nurnberg’s equalizer in the second half. Nurnberg is now unbeaten in four preseason matches, while Arsenal will soon face the MLS All-Stars on July 19 before taking on Man United and Barcelona in friendlies in the United States.
The Sporting News provided live updates, commentary, and highlights of the Nurnberg vs. Arsenal match. Here are the results from the match:
Nurnberg 0-1 Arsenal (First Half)
Nurnberg 1-1 Arsenal (Second Half)
Goal scorers:
Nurnberg: Okunuki (63′)
Arsenal: Saka (7′)
Here are the lineups from the first and second halves:
First-Half lineups:
Nurnberg: Mathenia(GK) — Valentini, Lawrence, Marquez, Brown— Handwerker, Geis, Moller Daehli, Okunuki — Hayashi — Duah
Arsenal: Ramsdale(GK) — White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior— Vieira, Partey, Trossard— Saka, Nketiah, Nelson
Second-Half lineups:
Nurnberg: Klaus(GK) — Valentini, Lawrence, Marquez, Brown— Handwerker, Geis, Moller Daehli, Okunuki — Hayashi — Goller
Arsenal: Hein(GK) — Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney— Vieira, Jorginho, Havertz— Jesus, Balogun, Nketiah
The match ended in a draw, with Nurnberg and Arsenal both having their chances to secure a victory. Arsenal will now head to the United States for the next leg of their preseason campaign.
In the final minutes of the match, Balogun had an incredible opportunity to score, but he hit the side-netting instead. Nurnberg had their chances as well, with Castrop failing to test Hein with his effort. Nwaneri showcased his skill with a brilliant play that left two players stunned. However, Arsenal struggled to find their rhythm in the final third as Nurnberg pressed them well and looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
The game became more intense after Nurnberg’s equalizer, with both sides pushing for a winner. Trusty was shown a yellow card for a foul near the halfway line, halting a dangerous attack. Nurnberg made several substitutions, slowing down the pace of the game. Despite the unexpected goal, Arsenal’s manager, Arteta, sees it as a good test for his team.
Okunuki scored the equalizer for Nurnberg after Hein’s unnecessary risk at the back, leaving the Arsenal goalkeeper exposed. Balogun hit the woodwork from a tight angle, while Jesus missed a one-on-one opportunity. Arsenal dominated possession in the second half, and Nurnberg struggled to get close to their opponents.
Havertz made his Arsenal debut in the second half, joining Jesus, Cedric, Jorginho, Hein, and Tierney on the field. Klaus and Goller replaced Mathenia and Duah for Nurnberg. At halftime, Arsenal held a 1-0 lead and looked strong. The right side combination of Saka and White caused problems for Nurnberg’s defenders.
Both teams had a brief break at halftime, with Arsenal leading the match. The tempo slowed down after the drinks break, with Arsenal maintaining possession and Nurnberg trying to increase their intensity. Trossard played a similar role to Xhaka in last year’s team, and the match showcased how Arsenal could set up in the upcoming season.
As the match progressed, both Nelson and Saka demonstrated their fitness levels, contributing on both ends of the field. Saka came close to scoring a second goal, but Mathenia made a good save. The match ended in a draw, and while Arsenal would have preferred a victory, they can take away positives from their performance.
Overall, the Nurnberg vs. Arsenal friendly provided an exciting and competitive match for both teams. Arsenal will now focus on their upcoming matches against the MLS All-Stars, Man United, and Barcelona as they continue their preparations for the upcoming season.
