Arsenal 2 – 1 Man Utd

Manchester United should know the extent of the injuries to Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro within 48 hours after the pair both had to be substituted in the first half of the 2-1 pre-season defeat to Arsenal in Los Angeles.

Usual procedure is to wait after 24 hours for any swelling to dissipate and then do a scan for a more accurate assessment.

Hojlund seemed to indicate to the medical team that he had a hamstring issue after a sprint shortly after showing superior pace and physicality to score the opening goal.

Yoro limped off after lengthy treatment and there looked to be more concern around his injury.

Erik ten Hag said the club “were careful especially with Leny as he only did 50 per cent of the [training] sessions,” and that he will be “positive” over the diagnosis of both players.

Speaking to the press afterwards, defender Jonny Evans reflected on the concerns over Hojlund and Yoro, saying: “Obviously, you don’t want any injuries, especially in pre-season.

“You know one of the biggest things you’re trying to avoid while also getting fit at the same time. Injuries are hopefully not too bad, but we’ll see, probably see tomorrow, I’m sure.

“Muscle injuries aren’t great either. But. I actually don’t know Rasmus. I think he sort of hinted at his hamstring. I’m not sure about it.”

Man Utd’s remaining pre-season schedule

July 31: Man Utd vs Real Betis – Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, kick-off 7pm local time (5am August 1 UK time)

August 3: Man Utd vs Liverpool – Brice Stadium, South Carolina, kick-off 7.30pm local time (12.30am August 4 UK time)

August 10 – Community Shield: Man City vs Man Utd – Wembley, kick-off 3pm

Arteta praises Arsenal spirit after comeback win

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus celebrates his goal
Image:
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus celebrates his goal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised his team’s spirit after fighting back to defeat United in California.

Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus cancelled out Hojlund‘s 10th-minute opener.

“It was a test,” Arteta said. “There are not three points but there are a lot of things on the table and you could see that.

“I think both teams were the same. Man Utd competed at the highest level as well and that’s what you want, you want to get well-prepared for the matches we have in the league and in the Champions League. You need to have a good understanding of where your team is as quickly as possible.”

Arsenal players celebrate their equalising goal
Image:
Arsenal players celebrate their equalising goal

“There are obviously different layers and different things that we have to improve and get better at, but I think we have good foundations at the moment.

“The spirit is good, the way the boys are working and applying themselves, that will that they have to compete and win is there, and I’ve tried to maximise the last two weeks to give them the best possible foundation.”

On Jesus’ pre-season form, the Arsenal boss added: “He looks really good, he looks really sharp. He’s changed a lot of things over the summer and he’s come back in top condition again.

“When you have that baseline, other things can be built but without that foundation we don’t have a player and he needs to be in that condition to get the best out of him. He’s realised that and I’m really happy with what he’s shown today again. You can see by the way he looks, the way he’s moving and you can see in his eyes that there’s a spark there.”

Arsenal’s remaining pre-season schedule…

July 31: Arsenal vs Liverpool – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, kick-off 7.30pm local time (12.30am August 1 UK time)
August 7: Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen, Emirates Stadium, kick-off 6pm
August 11: Arsenal vs Lyon, Emirates Stadium, kick-off 2pm