For the first time, Arsenal supporters watched their highly-profile summer signing. RICCARDO CALAFIORI made his debut as Arsenal’s preseason concluded at the Emirates with a 2-0 victory over Lyon. After being serenaded on the touchline, the £42 million acquisition from Bologna, the Gunners’ newest player entered the pitch in the 64th minute, to a roar from the home crowd.

7Arsenal looked comfortable in a 2-0 win over Lyon for their final pre-season friendlyCredit: Getty

7Mikel Arteta will be pleased with what he’s seeing from his side ahead of the new Premier League campaignCredit: Reuters

Calafiori, a 22-year-old versatile defender who replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko at left back, showed promise both on and off the ball. Then, for the last 14 minutes, he shifted to centre back, demonstrating his value to the team and the major reason manager Mikel Arteta advocated for his signing. Both of the goals, which came from Declan Rice corners in the first half and saw Gabriel and William Saliba, the defensive combo, head home, would have pleased Arteta as well. In fact, fans dubbed the two ends as a “cheat code” since they were so identical, with Arsenal using their set piece domination from the previous campaign. Arsenal led all teams in Premier League goals scored from set-pieces last season with 16, and they appear poised to continue that success this year. Instead of a pre-planned penalty shootout after full time, regardless of the score, Arsenal raised the Emirates Cup after completing a lap of honour. With no major injury concerns, the North Londoners are in excellent shape and are looking forward to their Premier League debut against Wolves on Saturday. Due to a minor foot injury, Jurrien Timber was not selected in the squad as anticipated; however, he should be vying to be included against Wolves.

7William Saliba opened the scoring for ArsenalCredit: Getty

Due to a hip ailment, Fabio Vieira was also unable to participate, and Takehiro Tomiyasu is still out due to a problematic knee. With Kai Havertz as a No. 9, Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing, and Thomas Partey at the base of midfield, Arteta’s starting lineup seemed similar to what we may see the following weekend. After playing well against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek as an advanced midfielder, the German international had a quiet afternoon. In the ninth minute, a commanding Arsenal took the lead thanks to a looping pass from Rice that Saliba headed past Lyon goalie Lucas Perri at close range. Soon after, Bukayo Saka squandered two opportunities with his head before Gabriel easily finished an easy finish from another Rice corner, peeling away towards the back post. Due to Martinelli’s lack of creativity in front of goal, notably misfiring on a one-on-one after escaping from the halfway line, the score should have been higher. In the 76th minute, with the game slipping away, Arteta substituted six players: Jorginho, Leandro Trossard, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Reiss Nelson, and Ethan Nwaneri.

7Both centre-backs nodded home almost identical corners from Declan RiceCredit: Getty

7Fans labelled the eerily similar goals as a ‘cheat code’Credit: Getty

Arsenal have a tricky start to the season