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.
And Henry’s prowess appears to be rubbing 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
