Arsenal have stepped up their preparations for the return of the Premier League season. The beginning of the week marked the return to training for those not in Qatar for the 2022 World
Cup as eight senior players – Gabriel Magalhaes, Rob Holding, Cedric Soares, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Marquinhos – all spotted at London Colney.
There was also a call-up for Arsenal wonderkid Myles Lewis-Skelly as manager Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff put the players through their paces ahead of the upcoming warm-weather training camp in Dubai as well as friendlies against Lyon, AC Milan and Juventus.
But before the trip, the players, who were given a 10-day break following the 2-0 win over Wolves, have taken another step towards full fitness with a runout against Championship outfit Watford in a behind-closed-doors friendly and details of the match have been revealed.
Arsenal began the game strongly and went close through Mohamed Elneny and Kieran Tierney before Albert Sambi Lokonga hit the post. They then took the lead as Marquinhos fired home.
Not long after Watford equalised through Keinan Davis, but Eddie Nketiah was on hand to head home a Tierney cross to put the Gunners in front at the break.
Mikel Arteta then made 10 changes at half time, with only goalkeeper Karl Hein coming back out for the second period. Youngster Taylor Foran then hit the post before Watford equalised again via Davis again.
Young goalkeeper Hubert Graczyk was then introduced for Arsenal’s 11th change of the game, before Watford took the lead via Yasser Aprilla. Joao Pedro then popped up with the Hornets’ fourth in the 77th minute to round off the day’s scoring.
This is not the first time over the past year that Arsenal have played a behind-closed-doors friendly. In fact, during pre-season they faced Brentford once again – after two meetings last season which yielded one win and one defeat – as goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Ryan Trevitt secured a win for the visitors.
