Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Manchester United defender, Lisandro Martinez clashed in Arsenal Vs Manchester United preseason friendly.
The game took a wild turn from a normal friendly to a tightly-contested clash as both sides aimed to prove a point. Speaking ahead of the game, Erik Ten Hag said he will take all his preseason games seriously as he tones the squad ahead of the big challenge from August 12.
The two sides fielded many first team players for the crunch tie. Ten Hag lined up Manchester United new captain Bruno Fernandes, 2022 World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez, Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Antony, and Jadon Sancho. Mainoo and Tom Heaton were the only departures from the club’s first team.
Mikel Arteta paraded all his first-team players from Aaron Ramsdale in goal, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Tomiyasu in defense, Declan Rice, Martin Odegard, and Kai Havertz in midfield, and Saka, Eddie Nketiah, and Gabriel Jesus in the attack.
The match took a frantic pace from the start as both sides battled it out in front of thousands of fans who crammed into the MetLife Stadium to watch the two English rivals lock horns.
The teams came across a series of early chances to take the lead but failed to make it count before Manchester United finally took the first punch when Aaron Ramsdale palmed Bruno Fernandes’ strike into his own net. Jadon Sancho doubled the lead before the first half break.
The two quick first-half double was the climax of the game but the clash between Martin Oddegard and Lisandro also made the headlines.
Despite having a two-goal advantage, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez raised eyebrows and flared tempers during the game after he launched a strong challenge on Bukayo Saka.
His rough tackle on the Arsenal winger led to a temporary scuffle between the players after Arsenal captain Martin Oddegard challenged him for the tackle. The pair squared up against each other before their teammates rushed to the scene and separated them.
Martinez was booked after the challenge with Arsenal awarded a freekick after calm was restored but the game continued on a fiery pace throughout with three yellow cards dished out for both sides.
Arsenal had more of the possession in the game but could not ruffled Manchester United defense as the match ended with the Red Devils grabbing a 2-0 win.
It was Manchester United’s third preseason win and Arsenal’s first defeat. Erik Ten Hag will hope to continue on his winning run as the team takes on Wrexham, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund in their next three games while Arsenal will take on Barcelona in their next game.
