Gunners defends Emirates Cup despite loss

Alexandre Lacazette scored on his first home start for Arsenal as his side defended their Emirates Cup title, despite Steven N’Zonzi’s wonder goal consigning the Gunners to a 2-1 loss against LaLiga side Sevilla on Sunday.

Arsenal knew they were guaranteed to win the pre-season tournament for the fifth time if they avoided defeat against Sevilla, who had to win by two clear strikes due to the competition’s unusual awarding of an extra point for each goal scored.

Sevilla had already hit the post when they scored the opener after 49 minutes, Joaquin Correa swapping passes with Wissam Ben Yedder and beating the offside trap to slip a cute finish beyond Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Club-record signing Lacazette hit back for the tournament hosts, finishing off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s low cross to score his maiden goal at the Emirates Stadium.

Sevilla went back in front through N’Zonzi’s exquisite strike, the reported Juventus target picking out the top-right corner with a first-time shot from 25 yards.

But Eduardo Berizzo’s men could not find a third goal that would have given them 10 points leaving Arsenal to top the standings on goals scored thanks mainly to their 5-2 win over Benfica on Saturday, despite the Spanish side winning both of their games having also beaten RB Leipzig 1-0.