Arsenal vs Barcelona: Gunners show familiar defensive lapses in pre-season defeat

Relive all the action live from the Nou Camp

Unai Emery optimistic for Arsenal future despite Europa League final defeat

Arsenal fell to a 2-1 defeat against Barcelona in the annual Joan Gamper Trophy friendly after an impressive display derailed by familiar defensive lapses.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave the Gunners the lead in the first half after turning Jordi Alba before thumping past Neto.

However, Unai Emery's side were pegged back by a calamitous own goal by Ainsley Maitland-Niles who, under little pressure, passed beyond Bern Leno into the far corner of the net before Luis Suarez stole in to score a disheartening stoppage-time winner. Relive all the action live below:

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Key Points

• Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal
• Suarez scores stoppage time winner
• Maitland-Niles scores calamitous own goal
• Aubameyang gives Gunners lead
• Barca XI: Neto, Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Puig, de Jong, Rakitic, Griezmann, Perez, Dembele
• Arsenal XI: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Sokratis, Monreal, Willock, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Nelson, Aubameyang

[4 August 2019 19:03 · Michael Jones]

Just a couple of minutes left until kick off: 

[4 August 2019 19:11 · Michael Jones]

The match still hasn't started yet as we wait for some players to make their way onto the pitch. 

For a bit of background the silverware up for grabs is the Joan Gamper trophy. Who is Joan Gamper, you ask?

Hans Max Gamper-Haessig, known as Joan Gamper in Catalan was a founding member, player and president of Barcelona.

[4 August 2019 19:12 · Michael Jones]

Finally, off we go! Barcelona get the game started.

[4 August 2019 19:16 · Michael Jones]

Barcelona 0 - 0 Arsenal

Arsenal have enjoyed much of the ball in the opening few minutes, the Gunners are in their yellow away kit as they try to send the ball down the left. Gerard Pique sees the play but Arsenal win a corner.

[4 August 2019 19:17 · Michael Jones]

Barcelona 0 - 0 Arsenal

It was Aubameyang who's deflected shot went out of play. Arsenal decide on a short corner but it leads to nothing. 

[4 August 2019 19:20 · Michael Jones]

Barcelona 0 - 0 Arsenal

Ousmane Dembele attacks for Barca and cuts inside from the right, but he's stopped dead in his tracks by a strong Arsenal defence. 

[4 August 2019 19:22 · Michael Jones]

Barcelona 0 - 0 Arsenal

There's been no chances of note yet but the movement from both teams has been impressive with Nelson and Semedo showing good awareness off the ball. 

[4 August 2019 19:26 · Michael Jones]

Barcelona 0 - 0 Arsenal

Both sides seem content to patiently build-up their attacks after a period of possession. Barcelona come forward now with Nelson Semedo down the right, Monreal tries to push him out but Semedo continues his run and gets back on the ball.

Riqui Puig then shows some lovely skills in midfield, but his attempted through-pass is blocked on the edge of the box.

[4 August 2019 19:27 · Michael Jones]

Barcelona 0 - 0 Arsenal

Rakitic lets one fly but it isn't worthy of noting. It's well wide of goal.  

[4 August 2019 19:29 · Michael Jones]

Barcelona 0 - 0 Arsenal

Arsenal look good when they have the ball, do we dare say almost Barca-esque. They keep hold of possession and force Barcelona to shore up their lines, something they've rarely has to do at home.