As far as importance goes, Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United in Inglewood, California, on Sunday was pretty low.
Reading too much into the results of pre-season friendlies has long been folly, with the high turnover of players, the lack of intensity, and less than 100% levels of match fitness all making for a less than appetising spectacle, even if it is of huge importance for being ready for the new season.
Pre-season results are forgotten in an instant, and while the first duel between the two Premier League heavyweights may have gone the way of the Gunners, the real reason for both clubs, and many of their English top-tier rivals being out in the US is to win a much more important prize.
