NUREMBERG, GERMANY - JULY 13: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal FC reacts during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal FC at Max-Morlock Stadion on July 13, 2023 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
3 standout players from Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with FC Nurnberg
It wasn’t quite the humdinger of 2022 that ended 5-3 in Arsenal’s favour, with FC Nurnberg this time holding the Gunners to a 1-1 draw in Thursday’s pre-season friendly.
While a victory would’ve been nice heading into the US tour, a disjointed second-half showing allowed the hosts back into the contest and a freak Jorginho own goal ensured Nurnberg got something from the game with chances arriving at both ends late on.
It was an entertaining epilogue to the bout, that’s for sure, although Mikel Arteta wouldn’t have been best pleased with his side’s lack of control after a commanding first half.
3 standout players from Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with FC Nurnberg
Nevertheless, there were a few standout performances worthy of a mention.
Kiwior’s going full Zinchenko. #FCNARS
— Pain In The Arsenal (@PainInThArsenal) July 13, 2023
1. Jakub Kiwior
Kiwior perhaps drew the most intrigue from Thursday’s game as he played the first half in Oleksandr Zinchenko’s inverted left-back role. The defender’s central positioning when Arsenal had possession was prominent, and he was heavily involved in the opening exchanges.
While it wasn’t the cleanest of showings with the ball, there was a loose pass here and a heavy touch there, Kiwior showed plenty of potential in the role and certainly looked more comfortable in central areas than Kieran Tierney did last season.
Kiwior quickly developed a sound understanding with Leandro Trossard, and he wasn’t afraid to venture forward when space opened up. Overall, it looks like Arteta might have something to work with.
Continued on the next slide…
#FCNARS</a></p>
<p>— Pain In The Arsenal (@PainInThArsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/14/3-standout-players-arsenals-1-1-draw-fc-nurnberg/"https://twitter.com/PainInThArsenal/status/1679538103013236748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 13, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<h2>1. Jakub Kiwior</h2>
<p>Kiwior perhaps drew the most intrigue from Thursday’s game as he played the first half in Oleksandr Zinchenko’s inverted left-back role. The defender’s central positioning when Arsenal had possession was prominent, and he was heavily involved in the opening exchanges.</p>
<p>While it wasn’t the cleanest of showings with the ball, there was a loose pass here and a heavy touch there, Kiwior showed plenty of potential in the role and certainly looked more comfortable in central areas than Kieran Tierney did last season.</p>
<p>Kiwior quickly developed a sound understanding with Leandro Trossard, and he wasn’t afraid to venture forward when space opened up. Overall, it looks like Arteta might have something to work with.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/14/3-standout-players-arsenals-1-1-draw-fc-nurnberg/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 standout performer </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><p>https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1679788525997248512</p>
<h2>2. Ethan Nwaneri</h2>
<p>Arsenal’s impressive collective showing became more individualistic after the break as the boss rang the changes. Youngsters were given a run-out, and Premier League record-breaker Nwaneri certainly caught the eye.</p>
<p>The 16-year-old enjoyed a 30-minute cameo in Germany, but he still had enough time to impress supporters. Compactly built, Nwaneri looks to be a powerful midfielder with a notable burst of pace. He sought to take responsibility when his side had possession, and he manoeuvred himself out of some difficult spots with dazzling sequences of skill that took everybody watching aback.</p>
<p>This kid is obviously talented, with many already clamouring for first-team minutes next season. Nwaneri’s not quite there yet, but he deserves more opportunities on tour, that’s for sure.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/14/3-standout-players-arsenals-1-1-draw-fc-nurnberg/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 standout performer </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_135380" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-135380" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/14/3-standout-players-arsenals-1-1-draw-fc-nurnberg/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1707,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1542760688-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1542760688-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1542760688-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1542760688-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1542760688-2048x1366.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Saka bagged Arsenal’s first goal of the summer. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3. Bukayo Saka</h2>
<p>Ben White certainly deserves a mention for his first-half showing, in particular. The Englishman was dynamic down the right flank, offering a threat on the overlap and grabbing the assist for the opener.</p>
<p>White’s neatly weighted clip in behind found the feet of Bukayo Saka, who stood his man up inside the Nurnberg area, cut inside, and fired his effort home. It’s becoming a trademark sequence from the club’s starboy.</p>
<p>Saka earned a rest after giving his side the lead, with Arteta replacing him at the break. Nevertheless, he had ample time to remind us of his supreme talent. Nurnberg couldn’t get near him and the winger was fouled multiple times as a result.</p>
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<p>Another productive campaign beckons for the majestic 21-year-old.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
