Arsenal turned on the style as the Premier League leaders prepared for a return to football, scoring three confident goals in their win over Lyon in a friendly.
Summer signing Fabio Vieira nailed the pick of the pack, capping the 3-0 victory with a stunning strike before the side were forced into a penalty shootout.
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Vieira scored a great goal
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And Arsenal made it easy against former captain Alexandre Lacazette
They won it too, as third-choice goalkeeper Karl Hein managed to shine with four out of five saves to earn an extra point in what was dubbed ‘The Dubai Super Cup’.
But Vieira, a £34million purchase from FC Porto, was the star of the show, with his first-half flare the highlight of the game.
It came after an impressive box-to-box pass move showed the Gunners had no rust since their table-top start to the season.
The 22-year-old will have delighted Mikel Arteta before their season resumes against West Ham on Boxing Day, but his early involvement may have been even more important.
Just six minutes before his goal, the Portuguese helped Eddie Nketiah make it 2-0 as the striker’s role in Arsenal’s trophy charge grew in importance.
The Gunners have lost star striker Gabriel Jesus to a knee injury he picked up for Brazil at the World Cup, and he could end up missing up to three months after surgery.
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Vieira’s goal was a beauty
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Hein certainly caught the eye
It means Nketiah could be crucial as his side try to hold off Manchester City, with Arteta unable to provide an update on Jesus.
Speaking after the match, he was asked if he knew when the striker would be back and he replied: “No. We know he needed knee surgery and we have to do it the day after. day, week after week and see where it takes us.
Asked about plans for the January transfer window, Arteta continued: “What it affects is who we are as a team because he gives us so much.
“What we can do after that, when we know the schedule better and can get him back, we’ll look at the options and try to make the right decisions.”
Instagram: Gabriel Jesus
Jesus’ injury is a big deal for Arsenal
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Could Joao Felix be the solution?
Ahead of the match, Arsenal were one of the names linked with Portuguese Joao Felix after the Atletico Madrid CEO admitted the star striker would be allowed to leave if the right offer arrived.
The other goal of the match came from Gabriel Magalhaes from a corner, with Arsenal now set to take on AC Milan and Juventus before heading home.
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