Alex Iwobi came on as a substitute for Arsenal in the 68th minute to set up new signing, Alexander Lacazette for the Frenchman’s first goal on his debut for Arsenal.
Iwobi replaced Germany International and 2014 World Cup winner, Mesut Ozil with Arsenal 1-0 up against Australian side, Sydney FC.
Fifteen minutes later, Iwobi’s pull-back was connected by Lacazette who wedged the ball past on watching defenders from around 10 yards out.
Lacazette was handed the number nine jersey following his much-heralded arrival and perhaps gave a glimpse of things to come with a predatory finish.
The Gunners had wasted a staggering number of chances to double their lead after Per Mertesacker’s early opener.
But Lacazette made no mistake and Arsene Wenger will have noted his impact. Mertesacker had said he wanted to make his final season a fairytale.
He got the first chapter off to a decent start.
Less than five minutes had elapsed when the big man put the visitors, attacking the Jonny Wilkinson End, into the lead – turning on a deflected Mesut Ozil corner from three yards out and volleying into the corner.
The finish was considerably better than the celebration, in which the German set off running, jumped in the air and landed on the spot.
Regardless, it delighted the vast majority of an impressive 80,432 crowd.
This was the first time the Gunners have played Down Under for 40 years and the iconic stadium was awash with the famous red shirts with white sleeves.
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