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Mattias Karen, Arsenal correspondent 6y

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on target in Arsenal win against Lazio

STOCKHOLM -- Reiss Nelson and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored either side of the break as Arsenal finished off their preseason campaign with a 2-0 win over Lazio on Saturday.

Nelson was on hand to tap in a rebound in the 18th minute and Aubameyang's low shot was deflected into the net in the 68th in the Gunners' final warm-up ahead of their Premier League opener against Manchester City.

While Arsenal dominated possession throughout the game, Lazio had a number of chances to equalise in the first half but were repeatedly let down by their finishing. Luis Alberto hit the bar with a chip over Bernd Leno and Marco Parolo headed wide from an inviting cross, with Felipe Caicedo guilty of an earlier miss.

With head coach Unai Emery making 11 changes from the the side that played Chelsea in Dublin on Wednesday, the game offered few clues as to how the Spaniard wants to line up against Man City next weekend. But it did give fans a first glimpse of new signings Lucas Torreira and Stephan Lichtsteiner, who both impressed on their Arsenal debuts before being taken off after an hour.

Torreira provided an immediate burst of energy to the Gunners' midfield while Lichtsteiner showed he can offer a serious alternative to Hector Bellerin at right-back. The Switzerland captain also showed he can add a bit of bite to Arsenal's defence by getting into a scrap just two minutes into the game, before showing a delicate touch to set up Alexandre Lacazette with a ball over the top for an early chance.

More worrying for the Gunners was the absence of Nacho Monreal a day after fellow left-back Sead Kolasinac was ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a knee injury. The club said Monreal only has a minor problem but the Spaniard hasn't played a minute in preseason after returning late from the World Cup. Midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles filled in at left-back instead and may have to do so against Man City as well.

Nelson continued an impressive preseason campaign by starting and finishing off a quick attack for the opening goal, slotting in the rebound after Alex Iwobi's shot from the left had been tipped onto the far post by goalkeeper Silvio Proto. Iwobi could have doubled the lead before the break but stabbed a shot just wide of the post.

With both teams making multiple changes in the second half, substitute Aubameyang netted the second instead after he was teed up by Lacazette and fired in a low shot that hit a defender before nestling into the bottom right corner.

The result means Arsenal finish their preseason undefeated -- aside from a penalty shootout loss to Atletico Madrid after a 1-1 draw in the International Champions Cup -- but they'll face a much tougher test when Man City visit the Emirates next Sunday.

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