17 December 2022
A prestigious friendly at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium ended in a 2-0 Juventus win, following two goals in each half of stoppage time, with Granit Xhaka’s own-goal putting the Bianconeri ahead, before Samuel Iling-Junior sealed the result.
The game began with the hosts, Arsenal in an early ascendency, as Reiss Nelson hit the side netting after just two minutes of play. Although undisturbed by the opening effort, Mattia Perin was made to work for the host’s second as Fabio Vieira excellently controlled the ball and hit a powerful volley at goal that required a great save from the number 36.
The Gunners continued to press, having the majority of the early play, and Edward Nkeitah thought he had scored the game’s opener after 34 minutes when the ball fell to him in the Bianconeri box but the flag was soon raised for an offside. However, seconds later the forward would hit the post, in what would be Arsenal’s best attempt at a breakthrough in the first half.
In the one minute of stoppage time added on, the Bianconeri counter with Tommaso Barbieri’s shot deflecting out for a corner. Juve played short and Nicolò Fagioli swung a dangerous cross into the box that Granit Xhaka accidently turned into his own net to give Juve a 1-0 lead with the last act of the first 45’.
Into the second half, and it began with the Bianconeri enjoying early possession of the ball, yet unable to create any clear-cut chances. Arsenal reverted back to first half form and turned the match back in their favour, dominating much of the possession and also going onto create more chances, yet unable to unlock the resilient Juventus defence.
Despite not having many chances, Juventus would hold firm and once again strike late, as substitutes, Joseph Nonge Boende Ruiz combined with Iling-Junior to set the Englishman free in the box, and his effort at goal deflected off of Arsenal’s Rob Holding to land in the back of the Gunners net and seal a 2-0 win!
