Arsenal's pre-season preparation finished in a positive style as the Gunners met AS Monaco in the Emirates Cup on Wednesday (August 2). The North London club won the Emirates Cup 5-4 in penalties after a 1-1 score in regular time. Monaco took the lead through Youssouf Fofana, but the Gunners struck back with a late equalizer courtesy of Eddie Nketiah. Aaron Ramsdale saved the spot kick from Takumi Minamino as the Gunners won the tie-breaker.
The Premier League side have already played a few friendly games this season. They were in the USA where they played the MLS All-Stars team, Manchester United and Barcelona, winning two out of those three matches as the solitary defeat came against the Red Devils.

That is all from us. Arsenal finish pre-season with a penalty win and now they gear up for the main season. We hope you enjoyed our coverage, and this is your host Sauradeep, says Thank You and Bye for now. See you soon!
As we said, Martin Odegaard got rid of it quickly. The Norwegian wants bigger trophies to hold for the Gunners perhaps.
Arsenal lift the Emirates Cup! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/1Hd9gffzq8
— AFCnewsroom (@TheAFCnewsroom) August 2, 2023
Here's a look of the Aaron Ramsdale save. The Gunners keeper stood his ground and extended his right hand to deny Takumi Minamino.
That Ramsdale save pic.twitter.com/poko0WJYN8
— Barry 🅰️FC (@BarryArsenal7) August 2, 2023
Arsenal players with the Emirates Cup trophy. It was a swift move from Martin Odegaard, who lifted it for a brief period, and then handed it to Jurrien Timber.
📸| The Emirates Cup stays in North London! 😏🏆 #afc pic.twitter.com/k8zhyej8uw
— Arsenal Buzz (@ArsenalBuzzCom) August 2, 2023
Arsenal lift the Emirates Cup.
Emirates Cup winners! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/EZQ7DRUV6b
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 2, 2023
Arsenal will face Manchester City as the season starts officially for them on Sunday. The Gunners have lifted the Emirates Cup today, and they would dearly love to lift the Community Shield on Sunday.
Arsenal 1 Monaco 1 (Arsenal win 5-4 in penalties)
Gabriel wins it!
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 2, 2023
Arsenal - ✅✅✅✅✅
AS Monaco - ✅✅✅❌✅
A great homecoming for Arsene Wenger as his beloved Arsenal wins with him at the stadium.
One Arsène Wenger ❤️ pic.twitter.com/XRSBKk6d53
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 2, 2023
Goaaaal!! Gabriel Magalhaes scores as Arsenal win the Emirates Cup. Cool and simple finish from the Brazilian as he finds the right corner. Arsenal have won 5-4 on penalties to retain the Emirates Cup.
Kevin Volland scores to keep Monaco in it.
Goaaaal!! Fabio Vieira has given Arsenal the lead with a fantastic spot kick. The Portuguese finds the corner. If Monaco miss the next one, Arsenal will win.
Saved!! Takumi Minamino's shot is brilliantly saved by Aaron Ramsdale. Advantage Arsenal.
Goaaaaal!! Kai Havertz finishes emphatically to bring Arsenal back on level terms.
Goaaal!! Krepin Diatta blasts it into the net for Monaco.
Goaaal!! Jorginho scores for Arsenal. Such calm finish from the Italian midfielder and the ball ends up in the top corner.
Monaco convert their second spot kick to another goal. The goalscorer is Youssouf Fofana, who gave Monaco the lead. Hits it down the middle.
Martin Odegaard finds the net.
Caio Henrique scores the spot kick to give Monaco the lead.
We will head into the penalties. A penalty shootout was supposed to happen anyway, but now it has an extra significance to it. The winner of the shoot out will win the Emirates Cup. Arsenal lost their last spot kick in the pre-season against Manchester United.
It ends 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal will be hoping to do well from the penalties as the Emirates Cup will be decided with spot kicks. Youssouf Fofana scored for Monaco to give them the lead, Eddie Nketiah equalized for the Gunners.
Two minutes added on at the Emirates Stadium.
Poor foul on Jorginho. The Arsenal midfielder was ahead of Akliouche but the Monaco player slides in recklessly. The Italian is fine though. Trossard takes the free-kick but Kiwior's header is comfortably gathered by Kohn.
5 minutes remaining at the Emirates Stadium. We are still level in the match and it is looking increasingly likely that penalties will be required to decide the Emirates Cup winner.
Nice skill from Kai Havertz as he gets away from his market. Ball towards Trossard is cleared by Monaco. Another decent move from the Gunners fail to see an end product.
Marquinhos is about to come on and the goalscorer Eddie Nketiah is subbed off. The Brazilian spent at Norwich on loan in the 2nd half of last season.
Eddie Nketiah is found by Leandro Trossard again but the ball is taken out for a throw-in.
Leandro Trossard finds Favio Vieira with a decent cross. Vieira's volley is tipped over by Kohn. Vieira has played an excellent match today, perhaps his best in Arsenal colours.
Arsenal are pushing for the winner at the Emirates. We may see Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka soon for them, or will Mikel Arteta be content with this team and give Saka some rest ahead of the FA Commiunity Shield match!
Leandro Trossard makes a good run and takes a shot which is saved by Kohn. The follow up from Martin Odegaard is just wide. Eddie Nketiah is not amused with the Belgian though as he thinks the former should have passed to him.
Wissam Ben Yedder is shown a Yellow as we hear Arsenal Arsenal chant from the home supporters. Poor foul by the Monaco forward as he goes into the referee's book.
Arsenal vs Monaco H2H Record
The Gunners met Monaco at the Emirates Cup back in 2014 and Monaco won the match 1-0. These two teams also met in UEFA Champions League in 2015 and Monaco advanced in the Round of 16 stages.