Hibs 2 Arsenal 1 RECAP: Boyle and MacKay strike for hosts, Smith-Rowe on target for Gunners as Pepe penalty saved

Kevin Dabrowski saves Pepe's penalty to preserve Hibs' 2-0 lead over Arsenal. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

Mikel Arteta brings his star-studded Gunners north for a fixture that also marks the return of fans to Easter Road for the first time since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020.

It is the first time the two sides have met since 1955 when Lawrie Reilly and Eddie Turnbull were on target in a 2-2 draw at Easter Road. Hibs were actually leading 2-0 with around 15 minutes to play until Doug Lishman and Jimmy Bloomfield earned the Londoners a draw.

The match is the first pre-season fixture for the visitors while Jack Ross’ first team have already completed three friendlies with a 4-1 win over Dunfermline, followed by a 1-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley before a 1-1 draw with Stoke City last Friday.

Tonight’s game promises to be an intriguing one and you can follow all the action as it happens in our live blog:

Hibs 2 Arsenal 1 FT

Key Events

Boyle gives Hibs 21st minute lead
McKay nods home Hibs second
Almost 2-0 as Bradley strikes post
Pepe penalty saved by Dabrowski
Smith-Rowe pulls one back for Gunners

Tue, 13 Jul, 2021, 19:37 BSTUpdated 19:38 BST

80: Hibs change

Nisbet’s time is up as he is replaced by Gullan.

Tue, 13 Jul, 2021, 19:41 BSTUpdated 19:43 BST

82: GOAL Hibs 2 Arsenal 1 (Smith-Rowe)

The Gunners pull one back as Bellerin hangs a cross to the back post that finds Smith-Rowe unmarked and he volleys past a helpless Dabrowski.

Tue, 13 Jul, 2021, 19:53 BST

FT: Hibs 2 Arsenal 1

Cheers from the 2000 Hibs fans greet the full-time whistle as they hold on for a confidence-boosting friendly win over Mikel Arteta’s big guns. It may not have been Arsenal’s full strength squad, and it may be their first pre-season outing, but nonetheless this was a hugely encouraging Hibs performance and a notable scalp given some of the names on display.