Arsenal vs Barcelona: Gunners show familiar defensive lapses in pre-season defeat
Relive all the action live from the Nou Camp
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal fell to a 2-1 defeat against Barcelona in the annual Joan Gamper Trophy friendly after an impressive display derailed by familiar defensive lapses.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave the Gunners the lead in the first half after turning Jordi Alba before thumping past Neto.
However, Unai Emery's side were pegged back by a calamitous own goal by Ainsley Maitland-Niles who, under little pressure, passed beyond Bern Leno into the far corner of the net before Luis Suarez stole in to score a disheartening stoppage-time winner. Relive all the action live below:
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Welcome to The Independent's live coverage as Arsenal travel to Barcelona to compete in the annual Joan Gamper Trophy friendly.
Arsenal travel to the Camp Nou in the biggest pre-season challenge yet? How will they get on?
Team news - Barcelona
Barcelona - Neto, Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Puig, de Jong, Rakitic, Griezmann, Perez, Dembele
Since 2011 Arsenal have played Barcelona four times. All the matches coming in the Champions League.
Barcelona were victorious in three games with Arsenal winning just one at home.
He's in the stadium but Lionel Messi won't be in action tonight. Given how often he's scored against the Gunners in recent times, they can only see that as a positive thing.
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Mesut Ozil returns to the Arsenal side tonight following their 2-1 loss to Lyon.
He replaces Alexandre Lacazette, who suffered an injury against his former club, and there is also another start for 19-year-old Joe Willock.
Lucas Torreira returns to the squad after his involvement in the Copa America with Uruguay.
New Barcelona signing Antoine Griezmann gets a big cheer as his name is announced over the speakers. Fans of the Spanish giants will get a could look at him tonight.
They same can't be said for Arsenal fans. Record signing Nicolas Pepe wasn't included in the 21-man squad for Arsenal's final pre-season match and fans will have to wait until the Premier League gets started next week for a first glimpse of the £72million winger.
Lionel Messi addresses the crowd to huge cheers, he says:
"It's difficult to say anything today, but I don't regret anything. I can only repeat what I said last season. I believe in this squad, in these players, in the coaching staff. All together, we are going to fight for everything.
"Last season was bitter in the end because of how it finished. We have to give value to the league title we won, the eighth in 10 years. It's something really important that we did. Perhaps we don't give it importance today. This club always goes for everything and this year won't be any different. We are here with our hopes renewed and excited to get started. And I hope you feel the same."
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