CARSON, CA - JULY 31: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain #15 of Arsenal gets past Oswaldo Alanis #2 of Chivas de Guadalajara and scores a goal in the second half at StubHub Center on July 31, 2016 in Carson, California. Arsenal defeated Chivas de Guadalajara 3-1. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Rob Holding scored his first goal with Arsenal and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doubled the lead as the English giants defeated Mexico’s Chivas Guadalajara 3-1 in Sunday’s pre-season friendly fixture at Stubhub Center in Carson, California.
New signing Holding, a 20-year-old defender, opened the scoring from close range in the 34th minute after a Santi Cazorla free kick found Calum Chambers at the back post, whose precise cross met Holding unmarked at the back post.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s brilliant solo goal put Arsenal 2-0 up just after half time. The midfielder, who will turn 23 this month, deftly maneuvered around his marker and fired a left-footed shot into the far corner. Substitute striker Chuba Akpom pushed the score to 3-0 in the 56th minute. The 20-year-old, who plays for England’s Under 21 National Team, scored his second goal in successive games after stepping in front of his opponent and tapping the ball in following a cross from Debuchy.
Chivas, who play in Liga MX, Mexico’s top division, pulled one back 16 minutes remaining in the match when Arsenal’s French defender, Mathieu Debuchy, conceded a penalty after tripping Alejandro Zendejas inside the area. Angel Zaldivar took the penalty shot and fired it past substitute goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for Guadalajara’s only goal, but Arsenal ultimately came away with the second victory of their US tour in front of a crowd of 24,000 at Stubhub Center.
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Guadalajara came close to breaking the deadlock shortly after the hour-mark when Daniel Gonzalez’s shot flew just wide of the post.
Despite longtime French manager Arsene Wenger making four changes for Arsenal at the break, withdrawing the likes of Xhaka and Hector Bellerin, the English team continued where they left off to start the second half.
The Chivas bench were incensed – and one of their coaches was sent to the stands for his complaints.
Arsenal forward Joel Campbell was lucky to avoid a red card late on after the 24-year-old Costa Rican got into a scuffle with Hedgardo Marin, with both players consequently given yellow cards for their troubles.
The Arsenal Gunners start their league campaign on Aug. 14 at home to Liverpool.
CARSON, CA – JULY 31: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain #15 of Arsenal gets past Oswaldo Alanis #2 of Chivas de Guadalajara and scores a goal in the second half at StubHub Center on July 31, 2016 in Carson, California. Arsenal defeated Chivas de Guadalajara 3-1. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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