Arsenal were beaten 4-2 by Championship side Watford in their first behind-closed-doors friendly of the World Cup break.
The Gunners played training ground neighbours Watford at London Colney on Saturday as a means to assess fitness levels. Mikel Arteta’s side have not played a competitive match since beating Wolves 2-0 on November 12, with the World Cup causing an unprecedented break in the fixture schedule.
Like most Premier League sides, Arsenal are without some of their biggest stars. The likes of Aaron Ramsdale, William Saliba, Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are all currently away at the World Cup in Qatar.
In their absence Arteta still managed to name a strong-looking starting XI to face Watford – and things were going to plan at half-time. Marquinhos’ 20-yard strike and Eddie Nketiah’s header from Kieran Tierney’s cross saw the Gunners lead 2-1 at the break, with Keinan Davis grabbing Watford’s goal.
But things fell apart after half-time, with Arteta using the opportunity to take a look at the club’s younger players. The Gunners manager made 10 changes, changing the entire outfield side to under-21 players.
Watford, who are fourth in the Championship, made it 2-2 through Davis’ second goal. Strikes from Yaser Asprilla and Joao Pedro beat young keeper Hubert Graczyk and sealed the friendly win for the more experienced Watford side, as Arsenal’s youngsters struggled to make an impression.
Arsenal are now due to jet out to Dubai on Sunday for some warm-weather training and matches. The Gunners will take part in the Dubai Super Cup during the World Cup break, facing Lyon on December 8 and AC Milan on December 13.
Ben White is not expected to be a part of the Arsenal squad flying out to the Middle East. The Arsenal defender left England’s squad in Qatar and flew home for personal reasons.
The Netherlands’ 3-1 win over the USA on Saturday saw Arsenal’s Matt Turner knocked out of the competition, but the second-choice goalkeeper will likely be given time before he joins back up with his club side.
Here are the players who featured in the match versus Watford.
Arsenal XI (first half) : Hein; Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Elneny, Lokonga, Odegaard; Nelson, Marquinhos, Nketiah
Arsenal XI (second half) : Graczyk; Walter, Foran, Monlouis, Sousa; Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Smith; Butler-Oyedeji, Sagoe Jr, Cozier-Duberry.
Watford: Bachmann (Hamer 46), Kamara (Morris 70), Cathcart (Ekong 46), Kabasele (Sierralta 46), Ngakia (Pollock 70), Kayembe (Dele Bashiru 60), Choudhury (Blake 70), Joao Pedro, Asprilla (Gaspar 70), Sema (Hungbo 46), Davis (Bayo 60).
