PRE-SEASON
Why was kick-off between Arsenal and Barcelona in Los Angeles delayed by half an hour?
The Gunners were due to take on La Blaugrana at 7:36 p.m local time but had to request a 30-minute delay.
Barcelona’s pre-season tour of the United States hasn’t exactly gone to plan so far. Xavi Hernández’s side were forced to cancel their first friendly against Juventus in Santa Clara on 22 July because of a whole host of players and staff being struck down by viral gastroenteritis, while kick-off in their second against Arsenal in Los Angeles was delayed by 30 minutes. Once the match did finally get underway, the conceded five goals in a 5-3 defeat to the Gunners.
Los Angeles traffic strikes again
It might not come as too much of a surprise to hear that the result the start of the match against the Premier League side was put back was due to traffic in the Los Angeles area. Various studies have reached different conclusions, with a 2018 report revealing that the Californian city has the world’s worst traffic congestion, although a separate 2021 study claimed it ranks as the sixth worst in the United States.
Whichever it is, there’s no doubt that Los Angeles roads can get exceptionally busy, with the MLS derby between LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC famously dubbed ‘El Tráfico’ by quick-witted soccer fans.
Arsenal hit five after finally reaching SoFi Stadium
On this occasion, it was Arsenal who asked for kick-off to be put back half-an-hour from 7:36 p.m. local time to 8:06 p.m. as they struggled to get to SoFi Stadium having underestimated the chaos that is LA traffic (they’ll have learned their lesson for next pre-season).
Barça led twice in the first half through Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, but equalisers from Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz ensured the teams went in level at the break. A Leandro Trossard double put the Gunners in control in the second half, while Fabio Vieira and Ferran Torres traded late goals to complete the scoring.