Arsenal got their pre-season fixture list underway with a friendly against Hibernian at Easter Road on Tuesday night but lost to the Scottish side 2-1.
The defeat has seen an online meltdown from some corners. Others have said Arsenal’s hapless defeat – and the manner in which they conceded the opening goal – marks the start of the new season. The same old.
The second goal for Hibs was a sight for sore eyes, too: Daniel Mackay free to head in at the back-post, left completely unmarked.
Arsenal pulled one back through Emile Smith Rowe, while Nicolas Pepe’s tame penalty effort was saved.
Mikel Arteta has already come out to say how crucial these games will be in preparing for the 2021/22 season as he seeks to get his side back into Europ.
“I think having a pre-season is going to be really helpful because we haven’t had enough time to work together yet since we arrived,” he said via Football.London.
“Obviously in terms of the amount of game preparation and time to coach them, it’s much better to be in that position than not having any time between the games.”
Arsenal set out a weakened side to play the Scottish club but that did not stop social media from getting involved.
The goal
Arthur Oknonkwo completely missed his kick and Martin Boyle tapped in for the home side.
It was cruel on the youngster on his debut, but it makes for a pretty funny video.
Mistakes – we all make them. After the game, Arteta gave the teenager his backing.
Arteta will be hoping to put the game behind them as a learning curve ahead of the new campaign. Friendlies seldom are proof of how a club will perform for the remainder of the season, which is something for Gunners fans to cling onto.
Featured image: Getty
