Arsenal downed by Dembele double as Lacazette suffers ankle injury

Arsenal lost 2-1 to a Moussa Dembele-inspired Lyon in the Emirates Cup on Sunday and saw Alexandre Lacazette substituted with an ankle injury.

France international Lacazette suffered a knock during the early exchanges and was withdrawn after just 13 minutes, as things got off to a poor start for Unai Emery.

The former Lyon star did run off the pitch, however, suggesting his withdrawal was merely a precaution.

Nevertheless, Lacazette’s departure did not impact Arsenal a huge amount, as Joe Willock forced Anthony Lopes into two fine saves before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring – the striker meeting Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s right-wing cross with a volley that left Lopes with no chance.

We’ve had to make an early substitution here…

 @LacazetteAlex
 @ReissNelson9

 Arsenal 0-0 Lyon  (12)#EmiratesCup  pic.twitter.com/TxOJNkHe5i

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 28, 2019

Bernd Leno made an excellent stop from Memphis Depay early in the second half, before Arsenal substitute Eddie Nketiah wasted two opportunities to increase the lead.

Lyon capitalised just past the hour – Dembele heading Depay’s cross out of Leno’s reach.

Gunners signings Dani Ceballos and Gabriel Martinelli came on soon after and the latter swiftly found the net, only for it to be disallowed for offside.

Welcome to The Arsenal, lads 

Martinelli and @DaniCeballos46 have just been brought on to standing ovations #EmiratesCup  pic.twitter.com/gYsj3CNS4w

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 28, 2019

Lyon then went straight up the other end to get the winner, as Dembele coolly slotted past Leno on the break.

The visitors held on to claim the trophy, despite Aubameyang hitting the post from way out on the left wing late on.

FULL TIME: A fantastic second half and a @MDembele_10 brace give #TeamOL a 2-1 win over Arsenal in the #EmiratesCup!  pic.twitter.com/NCXOOWOZnB

— OL English (@OL_English) July 28, 2019