Arsenal’s record signing, Alexandre Lacazette, got off the mark on his debut, scoring a late goal as the Gunners comfortably beat Sydney FC 2-0 in their first pre-season game at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney. 

Arsene Wenger opted to keep the French forward on the bench initially, with Danny Welbeck the chosen one to lead the line in a starting XI that blended experience with youth.

Petr Cech, Per Mertesacker, Francis Coquelin, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil all started alongside left-back Sead Kolasinac, who too was making his Arsenal debut. 

Keeping the stars company were starlets like Kristiyan Bielik, Cohen Bramall and Reiss Nelson, and the Premier League side completely dominated the A-League team in the opening exchanges, with the hosts chasing the ball without much luck. 

Arsenal, who had a disappointing 2016-17 campaign, were determined to get their summer tour off the best start and took the lead in the 4th minute itself, but it was not a familiar face who got on the scoresheet. 

The toweringMertesacker, despite being surrounded by Sydney FC defenders, executed a smart bicycle finish to open the North Londoners’ account. 

The Gunners kept the pressure up on the Australian side but were unable to find a second goal, with Welbeck and Walcott going close. But a rare lapse of concentration almost made Sydney to sneak in an equaliser. 

Simon, the Sydney striker, could only hit the post from a tight angle after Cech had parried a shot into his path. 

Joe Willock then went on a mazy run, but was unable to beat the Sydney goalkeeper, who was having a terrific game, one-on-one as the teams went into the interval with a solitary goal the difference. 

Arsenal, playing in their stylish third kit, kept dominating the Australian team in the second half but lacked the killer instinct in front of the goal and despite being awarded a fortuitous penalty, could not get the ball in the goal. 

It was left to Lacazette to finish off a flowing counter-attack, which caught Sydney cold, with the French forward applying a close-range finish in the 83rd minute to effectively end chances of a draw. 

Alex Iwobi squared the ball for Lacazette after a lung-busting run on the right flank and Arsenal’s No.9 didn't disappoint with a composed one-touch finish.  

The Gunners next face Western Sydney Wanderers at the same venue on July 15 before jetting out to China to continue their pre-season tour.