Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson, CA
FC Bayern lost 2-1 to Arsenal in the 2019 International Champions Cup on Wednesday night. Louis Pozanski handed Arsenal the lead by an own goal. Robert Lewandowski followed with the equalizer in the 71 minute, but Arsenal striker Nketiah scored in the 87 minute to lead Arsenal to victory.
The German record champions arrived in the USA on July 15 for their 2019 Audi Summer Tour. Head Coach, Niko Kovac brought a total of 27 players including 18 first team players: German National Captain & FCB Captain Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich, Benjamin Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, Joshua Kimmich, David Alaba, Niklas Süle, Leon Goretzka, Thiago, Javi Martinez, Renato Sanches, Corentin Tolisso, Kinglsey Coman, Serge Gnabry, Robert Lewandowski, Fiete Arp and Thomas Müller. (Canadian Alphonso Davies met with the team in LA but was rested as he recently returned from International duties with Team Canada.)
The 26,704 sold-out crowd at Dignity Health Sports Park saw an evenly played match with many chances at either end. Arsenal were the more dominant team in the first half with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Özil attacking up high. Özil failed to connect with Lacazette in the 21st minute with Javi Martinez clearing the threat. David Alaba delivered an excellent cross intended for Thomas Müller in the 32nd minute, but Arsenal’s Bernd Leno manages to block the shot with his leg. Corentin Tolisso miscued from 18 yards meant that the match was goalless at halftime (0-0).
Boss, Niko Kovac made 11 changes to start the second half in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Sven Ulreich in goal, with Joshua Kimmich, Niklas Süle, Benjamin Pavard and Louis Poznanski as the back four. Angelo Stiller and Leon Goretzka featured in a holding midfield role behind Serge Gnabry, Sarpreet Singh and Kingsley Coman, with Robert Lewandowski as the lone striker.
A Bayern own-goal by youngster Louis Poznanski allowed the Gunners to take the lead 49th minute (0-1). In the 71st minute Serge Gnabry fired a cross inside the box where Robert Lewandowski was waiting and sent a perfect header into the right far corner (1-1). Gnabry and Coman tried to close out the game, letting it fly from distance, but in the end Eddie Nketiah lead Arsenal to victory when he scored from close range in the 87th minute (1-2). FC Bayern will continue their 2019 Audi Summer Tour as they head to Houston, TX to face the LaLiga Giant Real Madrid on Saturday, July 20 at NRG Stadium.