Eddie Nketiah has started pre-season with a bang as Arsenal beat Ipswich Town 5-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
The striker last month ended speculation over his future by signing a new long-term contract,
and was handed the iconic No14 shirt most famously worn by club legend Thierry Henry.
✓: Eddie Nketiah Signs New Arsenal Five-Year Contract
And Henry’s prowess appears to be rubbbing off on Nketiah has he scored three goals inside 35 minutes and assisted a fourth for Sambi Lokonga in an action-packed first half at London Colney.
Folarin Balogun added a fifth goal after the break before Sone Aluko scored a consolation for Ipswich.
All the players involved for the Gunners were those back for pre-season training this week, having not featured in the end-of-season internationals.
The likes of Thomas Partey, Ben White and Nicolas Pepe all started the game,
while returnee loanees Hector Bellerin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson also got 45 minutes under the belts.
Arsenal on Monday depart for Germany as their pre-season continues against Nurnberg on Friday, July 8.
First-half team:
Bernd Leno, Hector Bellerin, Ben White, Pablo Mari, Cedric, Thomas Partey, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Sambi Lokonga, Nicolas Pepe, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson
Second-half team:
Arthur Okonkwo, Reuell Walters, Alex Kirk, Zach Awe, Lino Sousa, Matt Smith, Salah Oulad M’hand, Charlie Patino, Omari Hutchinson, Folarin Balogun, Marcelo Flores.
Subs:
Jack Henry-Francis, Mazeed Ogungbo
