SAITAMA (AFP) - A late winner from 17-year-old substitute Chuba Akpom rescued Arsenal Friday as the Gunners completed their Asian tour with a 2-1 win over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds.

At 1-1 with eight minutes left, Arsenal's 100 per cent record in Asia was under threat but Akpom capitalised on a defensive blunder to slot the decisive goal.

Arsenal were held scoreless for 49 minutes before Lukas Podolski's opener, which was cancelled out by Japanese international Yuki Abe 10 minutes later.

Akpom's late strike then ensured a winning finish to Arsenal's tour, which earlier took in Jakarta, Hanoi and a game against Japan's Nagoya Grampus, former club of manager Arsene Wenger.