Arsenal rounded off their pre-season campaign by beating Monaco to claim the Emirates Cup, with an enthralling friendly settled by a penalty shootout.
In their final test ahead of their Community Shield showdown against Manchester City, Mikel Arteta‘s side triumphed on a home debut for several summer signings.
The visitors proved stern opponents, however, and took the lead in the first half.
After good work from Mohamed Camara, with the midfielder picking up the ball and bursting into the box, a cross was whipped in for Youssouf Fofana to head home.
Arsenal responded well, inspired in part by strong performances from Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber before the interval, and promptly found the equaliser.
Arsenal rounded off their pre-season campaign by beating Monaco to win the Emirates Cup
Eddie Nketiah’s strike before half-time pulled the hosts level before their shootout triumph
The striker, recalled in the absence of Gabriel Jesus, tucked home a corner with a neat volley
Youssouf Fofana opened the scoring for Monaco after guiding a header past Aaron Ramsdale
Gabriel Martinelli, who delivered an effective performance as part of a reshuffled front three, picked out Eddie Nketiah with a corner, allowing him to volley in.
An array of second-half changes around the hour mark handed Arsenal increased momentum, though Wissam Ben Yedder threatened after striking the woodwork.
Neither side were able to find a way back in front, sending the tie the distance.
Takumi Minamino, formerly of Liverpool, was the only player denied in the shootout, with Aaron Ramsdale standing tall down the middle to keep out the strike.
And that allowed Gabriel to tuck home the decisive spot-kick, rounding off Arsenal’s preparations in style just days before the start of the new campaign.
Declan Rice was handed his home debut in the clash and delivered a strong performance
Mikel Arteta’s side will quickly turn their attention to the Community Shield at Wembley
MATCH FACTS
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu (White, 62), Saliba (Gabriel, 62), Kiwior, Timber (Tierney, 62), Partey (Jorginho, 62), Rice (Havertz, 62), Vieira, Smith Rowe (Odegaard, 62), Martinelli (Trossard, 62), Nketiah (Marquinhos, 83)
Subs not used: Saka, Holding, Turner, Hein
Goals: Nketiah 43
Bookings: Saliba, Gabriel
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Monaco XI: Kohn, Matsima, Maripan, Magassa, Vanderson (Diatta, 73), Fofana, Camara (Matazo, 73), Henrique, Ben Seghir (Minamino, 46), Golovin (Akliouche, 84), Ben Yedder (Volland, 73)
Subs not used: Majecki, Boadu, Jakobs, Lemarechal, Valme, Efekele, Bery, Lienard
Goals: Fofana 31
Bookings: Ben Yedder
Manager: Adi Hutter