A late defensive mix-up denied Urawa Reds an exhibition-match draw with Arsenal as the Premier League heavyweights ran out 2-1 winners on Friday night.
Arsenal took the field at Saitama Stadium with a strong lineup featuring England internationals Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere, but the Gunners had to wait until manager Arsene Wenger had shuffled his pack at halftime before substitute Lukas Podolski hit the opener in the 49th minute.
Yuki Abe lashed home an equalizer in the 59th minute to put a determined Urawa back into contention, but a defensive blunder by Mitsuru Nagata gifted Chuba Akpom an 82nd-minute winner to give Arsenal a J. League clean sweep on its Asian tour having beaten Nagoya Grampus on Monday.