New signings debut in Arsenal’s opening pre-season win

Arsenal kicked off pre-season with a behind-closed-doors win over MK Dons on Saturday, with new signing Christos Tzolis providing an assist in the 3-0 result.

Following reports earlier in the week that Arsenal would play a pre-season friendly this weekend behind closed doors, the club have confirmed the Gunners’ first team took on MK Dons in a game at their London Colney training ground on Saturday.

New signing Christos Tzolis made his unofficial first start for the Gunners, in a lineup made up largely of senior players, with the exception of defenders Louie Copley and Marli Salmon, and young forward talent Max Dowman.

That lineup included returning loanees Ethan Nwaneri and Reiss Nelson, and Nelson linked up well with Tzolis in the early stages.

Tzolis fed Nelson for an early chance well saved in the first minute, before the same combination led to Nelson scoring after 10 minutes for 1-0 and the Greek international’s first assist in Arsenal colours.

Nwaneri then netted Arsenal’s second for 2-0, scoring after a set-piece routine.

The Gunners made a lot of half-time changes, effectively playing a youth team in the second half. But Illan Meslier came on for his own unofficial debut in the 59th minute, and he maintained the clean sheet until the end of the match.

The only further goal was scored by Ceadach O’Neill, who finished a chipped pass from Demiane Agustien for 3-0.

Notably, the team did not include Ben White (only recently returned to training), Jurrien Timber (injured), Fabio Vieira, or Christian Norgaard (both linked with summer transfers).

Arsenal will now prepare to head off to Spain on Sunday for a training camp, before playing their first public friendly against Girona next weekend.

Arsenal lineup vs MK Dons

First half

Arrizabalaga, Copley, Mosquera, Salmon, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Nelson, Dowman, Tzolis, Jesus

Second half

Arrizabalaga, Ogunnaike, Salmon, Clarke, Copley, Ibrahim, Agustien, O’Neill, Harriman-Annous, Kabia, Mooney

Substitutes

Meslier (for Arrizabalaga, 59), Julienne (for Salmon, 59), Washington (for Copley, 59)

Full Arsenal pre-season schedule

• July 25th – Arsenal 3-0 MK Dons
• August 1st, 19:00 – Girona vs Arsenal – Estadi Montilivi, Girona
• August 5th, 19:30 – Arsenal vs Real Betis – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
• August 9th – Arsenal vs Dortmund– Emirates Stadium, London
• August 12th – Arsenal vs Como – Emirates Stadium, London
• August 16th, 15:00 – Arsenal vs Manchester City – Principality Stadium, Cardiff

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