Rangers threw away a lead twice against Arsenal in a 2-2 draw against the Premier League team at Ibrox. The stadium played host to about 2000 Rangers fans that returned for the first time since coronavirus restrictions in March 2020. Leon Balogun scored the opener for the hosts after 14minutes from a James Tavernier corner. Arsenal debutant Nuno Tavares equalized for the visitors with a close-range finish. The defender was making his debut for the Gunners after completing his move from Benfica a few days ago.
Arsenal captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang then missed a header from a cross by Cedric Soares. Folarin Balogun then missed a chance to put the visitors ahead but had his effort saved by goalkeeper Allan mc Gregor.
Arsenal, managed by former Gers midfielder Mikel Arteta, made five interval substitutions, one of which saw the introduction of former Celtic defender Kieran Tierney. McGregor made saves from Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe as the slick-moving north London side continued to dominate the ball before both sides made a host of changes.
“I’m really pleased with the performance. I think we dominated the game, we created so many chances – I counted about eight or 10 clear chances to score.” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said after the Rangers drew with Arsenal. ”But this game is decided in both boxes. We were not clinical in the opponent’s box and we conceded two goals from two corners, which were the only chances they had apart from the counter-attack from our own corner.”
“So much better from the other day and you tell that physically we were all ready better in the second game, the organization was better, individually they played better, but I really liked the collective understanding of the game and how we executed a lot of things we have been working on in the training pitch,” he added.
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