Hudson-Odoi impresses again in Dublin friendly

Callum Hudson-Odoi stole the show for Chelsea in a pre-season friendly in Dublin, where they lost on penalties to Arsenal after a 1-1 draw at the Aviva Stadium.

Toni Rudiger put the Blues ahead and Alvaro Morata had a penalty saved by Petr Cech before Alexandre Lacazette equalised in the final seconds of the game.

The late goal meant a second successive penalty shoot-out for Chelsea, who recently won against Inter Milan but were beaten 6-5 this time.

Danny Drinkwater, Tammy Abraham, Victor Moses, Emerson and Lucas Piazon all scored from the spot, but Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s kick was saved by former Chelsea keeper Cech and Alex Iwobi then scored the winning penalty for the Gunners.

Chelsea had gone in front after just six minutes.

After Cech tipped over Cesc Fabregas’ deflected shot, the resulting corner by ex-Arsenal man Fabregas found an unmarked Rudiger, who headed in from 10 yards out.

Chelsea, playing in their second game of International Champions Cup, were then awarded a penalty when the hugely impressive Hudson-Odoi drew a foul from Hector Bellerin.

However, Cech dived to his right to keep out Morata’s spot-kick.

Teenage forward Hudson-Odoi then breezed past Bellerin on three occasions to create chances for Morata before the interval.

Morata headed over at the near post, was denied by a fine save by Cech, and then failed to connect altogether – each time after being superbly set up by Hudson-Odoi.

Having been second best for much of the first half, Arsenal ended it strongly and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a good chance to equalise.

But Chelsea – and Hudson-Odoi in particular – remained a threat and the youngster would have scored just before the break but for another fine stop from Cech.

After Hudson-Odoi was put through by Jorginho’s perfect pass, Cech got his hand to the shot before Shkodran Mustafi hooked the ball to safety.

Hudson-Odoi was soon involved at the start of the second half, trying his luck with a shot towards the far corner which Cech was able to gather.

And Rudiger missed a chance to double the lead when he headed wide with another free header from a corner, this time delivered by Pedro.

The German defender’s goal still looked like being enough to give Chelsea the win, but Lacazette tapped in at the far post after being set up by Reiss Nelson.

Chelsea will face Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday in the Community Shield before another International Champions Cup match, against French side Lyon, at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.