Arsenal beats Luton Town in a closed friendly game with Raya and Zinchenko debut.
Arsenal hosted Luton Town in a friendly on Thursday, as both clubs attempt to improve their fitness levels ahead of the start of the new Premier League season.
The game was divided into three 30-minute halves, allowing for a decent workout for both teams and a wide mix of appearances among both squads. The Gunners and Hatters both had first-team outings, with several new faces and injury returns.
Both teams are off this weekend, with Arsenal not playing until Monday when they travel across London to face Crystal Palace. Luton Town’s match against Burnley has to be rescheduled due to work being done at Kenilworth Road to guarantee the stadium is Premier League suitable. Arsenal beats Luton Town in a closed friendly game with Raya and Zinchenko debut.
The north Londoners won 3-0 at the end of three sets of training, thanks to a goal from Bukayo Saka and a brace from Leandro Trossard. David Raya, the new goalie, played an hour of the available 90 minutes as he adjusts to Mikel Arteta’s new demands.
The Spaniard arrived from Brentford earlier this week on a season-long loan, which is anticipated to be extended.The deal includes a £27 million option, according to London. It remains to be seen whether he will start ahead of Aaron Ramsdale against Selhurst Park.
Arteta will have been heartened by the return of two injured players, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Reiss Nelson, who both played in the friendly. Both missed the first match of the season against Nottingham Forest due to pre-season injuries, but they are expected to be back in the squad soon.
A exercise with the rest of the team should get them one step closer to being as fit and ready as possible for another demanding season.
