A strong thunderstorm may have delayed the start of Arsenal’s second match of a preseason U.S. tour, but in the end the heavy rains could not dampen continued summer success for the Gunners, who secured a 3-1 victory over hosts Orlando City FC at Exploria Stadium on Thursday night.
Manager Mikel Arteta made eight changes to the Arsenal side that started against Everton four days earlier, with Aaron Ramsdale in goal for the first time in preseason and with Mohamed Elneny, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sambi Lokonga manning in midfield.
Gabriel Martinelli’s deflected shot gave Arsenal a 1-0 lead just five minutes into the match, but the home side – who are midway through the MLS season – responded well to the early deficit in an even first half. Benji Michel got behind the Gunners’ backline only to see his effort denied by Ramsdale. Orlando City’s Facundo Torres leveled the scoreline at the half-hour mark with a left-footed strike from 20 yards out.
Arsenal brought on a number of first-teamers for the second half, with Gabriel Jesus testing Orlando’s keeper in the opening 60 seconds. The new signing from Manchester City continued to impress as the Gunners began to dominate possession after the break.
The mounting pressure produced an Arsenal goal in the 66th minute, when Eddie Nketiah pounced on a loose ball in the box to score from close range.
Reiss Nelson, among the late-game substitutions, converted a cross from Bukayo Saka to put Arsenal up 3-1 in the 80th minute, And the Gunners’ winger nearly scored a second time off a free kick in stoppage time, the last attempt on goal in a hard-fought win for Arsenal.
Nketiah, named Man of the Match in the Gunners’ first contest in the Florida Cup series, credited Gabriel Jesus with setting up the goal-ahead goal.
“Gabby did well in there. I think he did a little shift and it dropped and I was alert and just passed it into the back of the net,” Nketiah told arsenal.com after the match. “It was nice to score and it’s a good feeling. I enjoy playing with him. … Hopefully, we can continue to score goals and celebrate together.”
After its fourth win in four preseason outings, Arsenal will remain in Orlando ahead of a July 23 friendly against Chelsea at Camping World Stadium as the team continues its ten-day tour of the U.S.