Arsenal completed pre-season with an Emirates Cup fixture against Lyon on Sunday, but a planned penalty shootout was called off after the game.

Arsenal faced Lyon in their final pre-season fixture at the weekend, with the Emirates Cup up for grabs. Ahead of the game, the club confirmed that regardless of the result, the two teams would hold a penalty shootout afterwards.

Arsenal won 2-0, and the stadium announcer informed supporters that they should remain in their seats for the shootout. But a couple of minutes later, a further announcement was made to confirm that the penalties had been cancelled.

The decision was met with boos, albeit light-hearted ones. The team instead did a round of the pitch applauding the fans before lifting the Emirates Cup.

As for why the penalties were called off, Jordan Davies reports that Lyon decided during the game that they didn’t want to take part in the shootout anymore. It was their call rather than Arsenal’s.

Mikel Arteta wouldn’t be drawn into a conversation about the decision, saying only: “We didn’t play it at the end and that’s it.”

Arsenal had already taken part in a couple of penalty shootouts in pre-season, facing Bournemouth and Manchester United on the tour of the United States.

The Bournemouth game had ended in a draw, so it made sense for the game to go to a shootout to determine the winner, with Arsenal coming out on top.

As for the United game, the Gunners had already won the match 2-1, but they lost the shootout.

Whatever the reasoning behind Lyon’s decision to cancel the penalties, perhaps it was for the best, ensuring Arsenal ended pre-season on a high.