Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder Martin Ødegaard (R) congratulates Arsenal’s English midfielder Bukayo Saka after he scored his team’s first goal during a pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal FC and FC Barcelona at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on July 26, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Yes, it’s preseason, but Saka is already in ominous form and it’s hard not to get giddy with excitement. Against Barcelona, he was unplayable, as his first-half efforts were simply sensational as he scored one opportunistic goal and then had a big hand to play in the second.
https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/1684412510890229760?s=20
His pace, determination, and physicality were all on show, and despite his missed penalty, he had a big influence on the game. Saka looks to somehow have gone to another level which is scary for what he could potentially do in the Premier League this season.
Continued on next slide…
pic.twitter.com/QZclX1fRf4
<p>— AFCnewsroom (@TheAFCnewsroom) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/27/arsenal-barcelona-3-talking-points-preseason/2/"https://twitter.com/TheAFCnewsroom/status/1684402467532947456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 27, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Then when in the wall for a Raphinha free kick, Odegaard turned his body as the ball was struck; it hit the Norwegian in the shoulder and went past Ramsdale. While that was unlucky, commentators did say had Odegaard remained square onto the ball, that it wouldn’t have taken such a deflection.</p>
<p>While both aren’t the end of the world, it will be those small details that Mikel Arteta will want to get cleaned up.</p>
<p><em>Continued on 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/2023/07/27/arsenal-barcelona-3-talking-points-preseason/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Talking Point #2 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-135526 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/27/arsenal-barcelona-3-talking-points-preseason/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1704,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1556776046-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1704" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1556776046-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1556776046-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1556776046-1536x1022.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1556776046-2048x1363.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:2560px;">Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder Martin Ødegaard (R) congratulates Arsenal’s English midfielder Bukayo Saka after he scored his team’s first goal during a pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal FC and FC Barcelona at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on July 26, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Yes, it’s preseason, but Saka is already in ominous form and it’s hard not to get giddy with excitement. Against Barcelona, he was unplayable, as his first-half efforts were simply sensational as he scored one opportunistic goal and then had a big hand to play in the second.</p>
<p>https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/1684412510890229760?s=20</p>
<p>His pace, determination, and physicality were all on show, and despite his missed penalty, he had a big influence on the game. Saka looks to somehow have gone to another level which is scary for what he could potentially do in the Premier League this season.</p>
<p><em>Continued on 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/2023/07/27/arsenal-barcelona-3-talking-points-preseason/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Talking Point #3 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-135529 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/27/arsenal-barcelona-3-talking-points-preseason/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1580,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1556776106-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1580" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1556776106-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1556776106-420x260.jpeg 420w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1556776106-768x474.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1556776106-1536x948.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1556776106-2048x1264.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:2560px;">Arsenal’s Belgian midfielder Leandro Trossard (L) and Barcelona’s Moroccan forward Abde Ezzalzouli (R) vie for the ball during a pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal FC and FC Barcelona at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on July 26, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Leandro Trossard showing his quality</h2>
<p>Aside from Saka, the one player that has made the biggest splash has been Leandro Trossard, who has been in great form.</p>
<p>With his double against Barca, Trossard take his preseason tally to three as he was mesmerizing yet again. His quick feet, neat, clean touches, energy, and willingness to take the game on were features as he is showing what a signing he has been for Arteta.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Leandro Trossard makes it 4-2 to Arsenal! ⚽️ <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/27/arsenal-barcelona-3-talking-points-preseason/2/"https://t.co/qCem2SsaBO">pic.twitter.com/qCem2SsaBO
<p>— AFCnewsroom (@TheAFCnewsroom) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/27/arsenal-barcelona-3-talking-points-preseason/2/"https://twitter.com/TheAFCnewsroom/status/1684425169454915586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 27, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>It has been a preseason to remember for Trossard, and while it is only preseason, he looms as a key contributor to Arsenal’s bid for the Premier League title.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
