Arsenal 1–1 (5-4 on penalties) Bournemouth: Report by Layth Yousif from LA Galaxy, Los Angeles

Carson County, California might be an unusual place to commence the quest to end the club’s 22-year wait for the coveted Premier League title, but on a balmy evening on the outskirts of Los Angeles, Mikel Arteta’s experimental Arsenal side started their pre-season tour of the United States of America with a draw against Bournemouth. 

An early strike by Fabio Vieira was cancelled out by Antoine Semenyo’s second half effort for Andoni Iraola's Cherries during a 1-1 draw at David Beckham’s former MLS club, LA Galaxy.

Following the draw the teams took part in a penalty shootout in which the Gunners edged past Bournemouth 5-4, with Jakub Kiwior emphatically slotting home the winning spot-kick.

The Gunners hybrid team of experience and callow youth were held against a more experienced Cherries side, which contained Dominic Solanke up front.

It was Solanke who fashioned the first chance, firing over Karl Hein in the Arsenal goal in the 12th minute.

In a friendly match played at an understandably pedestrian pace at times, the Gunners were to go ahead six minutes later. Fabio Vieira firing home from Reiss Nelson’s cross to put the North Londoners 1-0 up – much to the delight of the thousands of Gooners assembled at the 27,000 stadium who had travelled from near and far.

The Gunners once again made the long trip across the Atlantic for another popular summer Stateside tour, which also includes fixtures against Manchester United in Los Angeles on Saturday, and Liverpool in Philadelphia next Wednesday.

Arteta headed to the USA with a 26-man squad missing Euro 2024 heroes Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba or David Raya - who are all set to return after the Stateside trip, following their exertions in Germany this summer.

Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz were also absent against the Cherries, thanks to their participation in Copa America and Euro 2024 respectively. They are pencilled in to join up with Arteta's squad on July 25.

Arsenal also omitted Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kiernan Tierney from the travelling squad and the pair remain in London due to injury.

With Ramsdale and Raya absent, Karl Hein, Arenal’s 22-year-old Estonian keeper who signed a new, long-term deal a few weeks ago, started the match.

England absentee Ben White also started – with the Gunners defender possibly pleased that Gareth Southgate’s No2 Steve Holland is also departing from the Three Lions set-up, given his exile from the national team said to be due to differences with the former Arsenal coach. Ayden Heaven also featured in a young backline, along with long-term absentee Jurrien Timber.

Cherries’ striker Solanke proved to be a constant thorn in the Gunners backline, nearly levelling on the half hour when his powerful drive evaded Hein, but the ball cannoned off the bar and away to safety.

In a low-key opening 45 minutes, Eddie Nketiah tested Cherries keeper Neto five minutes before the interval, but the former Juventus shot-stopper gathered.

Iraola's Cherries started their pre-season in Santa Barbara last weekend, with Marcos Senesi’s goal earning a 1-1 draw with celebrity-driven Wrexham. And it was the side from the south coast of England that started the second half brightly on the west coast of America – with substitute Dango Ouattara testing Hein on 50 minutes.

This progressive side from the south coast will be aiming to build upon an eye-catching debut season under Iraola, after they finished 12th following Gary O’Neil's unexpected departure – and they certainly caught the eye against the Gunners on Wednesday evening.

Following a raft of changes made by both sides, which included seven made by Arteta, Bournemouth equalised through Antoine Semenyo. The Cherries’ No24, who had such an excellent season last term, saw his shot loop over Gunners keeper Hein and into the net with 18 minutes remaining.

For Iraola, their creditable draw against Arsenal is their final fixture in the States before they return to play La Liga duo Rayo Vallecano and Girona ahead of their Premier League opener away at Nottingham Forest on August 17.

Never mind this result, the clash was all about gaining match fitness, form and rhythm ahead of Arsenal's all-important Premier League opener against Wolves – which comes after the club hosts friendlies against Granit Xhaka's Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, August 7, as well as Lyon on Sunday, August 1.

However, first on the horizon will be Erik ten Hag’s United this weekend here in LA in a friendly one hopes will be more gripping than the 1-1 draw against a redoubtable Cherries side.

And so it passed that Arsenal’s hopes of ending a 22-year-old wait for the Premier League title officially began on the West Coast of America with an instantly forgotten draw over 90 minutes ahead of what many in red and white will hope to be a momentous season.