First team players were involved
Arsenal suffered an embarrassing defeat to Championship opposition in a behind closed doors friendly on Thursday.
With most of the current first team away on international duty, Mikel Arteta gave those who stayed behind some valuable minutes alongside players from the academy in a game against Queens Park Rangers.
The likes of Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu featured but they couldn’t inspire the Gunners to victory as they were beaten 4-0.
QPR named a strong side with first team regulars but didn’t include Lyndon Dykes, Kenneth Paal and club captain Asmir Begovic.
Ilias Chair however was part of the squad as Michael Frey scored a goal in each half. Elijah Dixon-Bonner and left-back Ziyad Larkeche also got themselves on the scoresheet.
Although the result won’t be one that lives long in the memory, it was a chance for Arteta to give some senior players some much-needed minutes as well as take a closer look at the next generation of talent coming through at the club.
🚨 Thomas Partey & Takehiro Tomiyasu both started as an Arsenal XI lost 4-0 to QPR in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the TSG Elite Training & Performance Centre today. #afc pic.twitter.com/NWTqE8IDQj
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) March 21, 2024
Season-defining game awaits
Arteta will need everyone back in top condition as the Gunners prepare to resume their title challenge with a potential decider against Manchester City.
Travelling to the Etihad Stadium, Arsenal will be underdogs going into the game and will be hoping that Bukayo Saka will be fit in time after he withdrew from the England squad due to injury concerns.
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