Embattled Mesut Ozil was left out by Unai Emery as Arsenal were edged 3-1 on penalties by Europa League champions Atletico Madrid in a friendly on Thursday.
Ozil, who caused a furore when he quit German national duty claiming racism, was rested after his World Cup exertions as 17-year-old midfielder Emile Smith Rowe took centre-stage in Singapore.
Luciano Vietto’s opened the scoring for Atletico against the run of play, but teenager Smith Rowe hit a dazzling equaliser — his first senior goal as it finished 1-1 after normal time.
Under International Champions Cup rules, the game went straight to penalties where substitute Atletico goalkeeper Antonio Adan starred, saving three before coolly slotting the winner himself.
Arsenal, rebuilding under Emery after Arsene Wenger’s 22-year reign, are hoping for silverware this season and a return to the Champions League, while Atletico finished second in La Liga behind Barcelona.