Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal - 3 talking points | 2019 Joan Gamper Trophy

#2 Defensive lapses still remain

Mailand-Niles scored an own goal

For all of the attacking impetus shown by Arsenal during preseason, doubts have always lingered over their defense and this proved to be the case once again against Barcelona.

The Blaugrana came out all guns blazing in the second half, seeking an equalizer and in multiple scenes that would have scared Arsenal fans, the Gunners defense seemed incapable of handling the pressure, being caught out of position multiple times, inviting pressure on themselves by giving the ball away in dangerous areas.

Giving their shaky display at the back, there was always the feeling that Arsenal was an error away from handing Barcelona the initiative and that moment came in the 69th minute when Ainsley Maitland-Niles put the ball into the back of his own net.

The 21-year-old received a harmless ball on the edge of the box and tried to play a simple back pass to Bernd Leno in the Arsenal goal; but in an absolute shocker, he overhit the ball and neither the goalkeeper nor Sokratis could prevent the ball from trickling into the back of the net.

Just like that, Barcelona were back in the game, and they went on to snatch a very late winner when Luis Suarez volleyed with seconds to spare to hand Barcelona her 42nd triumph in the Joan Gamper trophy.

Going forward, Arsenal have arguably the best attacking trident in the Premier League; but it is in defense where their problems persist and this could ultimately cost them in their quest for glory next season.