Pre-season has now started and the first team is flying to Spain for a training camp.

The reserves and u17 side will be playing cup games next weekend.

First team

The latest first team news has actually been disclosed by Liverpool who announced that Arsenal had a bid accepted for Asisat Oshoala. Players and team now have to agree terms. The Jodie Taylor move fell through and the England forward will stay at Portland Thorns.

Development team

They beat a strong Millwall team by two goals to one. The starting 11 was Rogers, Ritchie-Williams, Wubben-Moy, Parker, Cowley, Brunton-Wilde, Allen, Devlin, Clarke, Dean, Fyfe. Subs were Stojko-Down and Kiely, while S. Allen wasn’t used.

Millwall came with a mixed team with their usual reserve squad as well as couple of new signings like Leighanne Robe, ex-Watford and a former Arsenal reserves player. As well as Lucy Loomes ex-Spurs and London Bees. They also played Ashlee Hincks who had flashy orange boots.

The game was pushed back to 2.30pm due to a couple of Millwall players needing to take a ferry to cross the Thames as Blackwall tunnel was closed. The two missing players came on as soon as they arrived with half an hour played. They were first team players Fliss Gibbons and Danielle Carlton.

It was certainly a strong and tough opposition and the game was definitely edgy with many fouls and bookings for a development team game.

Arsenal Ladies took the lead when Rianna Dean was found on the right wing, she kept hold of the ball and managed a cross that evaded everyone except Georgia Allen at the far post who put a 13-yard low shot past the keeper.

Half-time score Arsenal 1 Millwall 0 with the girls dominating possession.

The second half was very even and more a lot more physical. Millwall equalised via Lucy Loomes as the Lionesses equalised on the break with the three Arsenal midfielders placed too high up the pitch and unable to stop the break. 1-1.

Arsenal then got a through ball to Evie Clarke who went round the goalkeeper who fouled her outside the box. It was a big hit and the referee gave the goalie a yellow card. The free kick went over.

The winning goal came from another run from Rianna Dean on the right of the penalty area. The young left-back fouled her while there was no danger and the referee pointed to the spot.

Evie Clarke duly converted the penalty to give the Gunners a 2-1 lead that they managed to hold on until the final whistle. It was a good test for the girls’ first official game in 2016.

They are top of the League with 24 points in eight games, while Reading are also on 24 points in nine games with a smaller goal difference.

Up next is Man City away in the Development League Cup quarter-finals kick-off at 2pm as per the FA website.

U17 center of excellence team:

They are defending the FA Girls’ Youth cup and will be at home to Middlesex FA in the quarter finals on Saturday morning kick-off at 11am .