Highbury N5

ARSENAL LOSE 3-0 TO CHELSEA

English football rivals Arsenal and Chelsea clashed in China on Saturday July 22nd, two weeks before they are poised to meet in the Community Shield, being FA Cup and Premier League title holdersrespectively.


The Blues ended up winners in the friendly game courtesy of goals from Willian and MichyBatshuayi. Both sides has a fair share of first team players. The Gunners had Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazette in front, Aaron Ramsey, Granit Xhaka, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Nacho Montreal as well. David Ospina was in goal while skipper Per Mertesacker organized the defence.

Chelsea had Thibaut Courtois, the three wise men – David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta, Victor Moses, N’GoloKante, Cesc Fabregas, Marco Alonso and Pedro in addition to the goalscorers.

Batshuayi was involved in the three goals, scoring two and setting up the other. The striker seemed to be on a mission to impress after sitting out most of the games last season.

Alvaro Morata arrived for £67 million and he is expected to lead the attack. Batshuayi is looking to prove for Antonio Conte to have him in mind when the season starts, likely in a game sharing arrangement. On the other hand, Arsenal signingLaca failed to impress and was one of six players subbed during the break.

The Gunners are fighting from all quarters to retain star player Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean is set to exit the club but the north London side want to retain him past this summer. The former Barcelona star prefers a move to Manchester City to reunite with former coach Pep Guardiola.

Aside, French side PSG want to bid £70 million for the player despite the numerous interests in the player and his employer’s stance. PSG want to use their advantage of not being a Premier League rival and a spending club, compared to German side Bayern Munich, to land the player.