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Arsenal forward GABRIEL MARTINELLI (11) sets up a play during the Florida Cup Series Arsenal vs Chelsea FC soccer match at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fl on July 23, 2022.

Watch: Zinchenko and Martinelli’s dazzling skills humiliate Chelsea

Arsenal put on a show in last night’s stunning 4-0 friendly victory over Chelsea, with new boy Oleksandr Zinchenko and Brazilian starlet Gabriel Martinelli looking like they were enjoying themselves with some dazzling skills. 

Gabriel Jesus was named man of the match after opening the scoring with a wonderfully cheeky lob, before Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Albert Sambi Lakonga added their names to the scoresheet, but there were brilliant individual performances from front to back.

Two days after his transfer from Manchester City was confirmed, Zinchenko started at left-back and produced a performance that suggests he’ll be a real asset for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.

The Ukraine international immediately caught the eye with a stunning crossfield ball for Saka and a short while he was taking the piss with some dazzling footwork and quick interplay with Martinelli.

Zinchenko was given a 45-minute runout on his debut and was withdrawn for Nuno Tavares at the break, but he made sure he was going to enjoy himself, demonstrating his skills and technical ability out on the wing shortly before the half-time whistle was blown.

He sent Mason Mount for a hotdog with a lovely turn out before dispatching the ball infield to Martinelli, who then turned away from Jorginho with a well-executed pirouette.

It was only a friendly, but this was a clip and an all-round performance that suggested Arsenal ought to be taken very seriously ahead of the upcoming 2022-23 campaign.

“As you could see there are a lot of positives to take from the game,” Arteta told Arsenal’s official website after the Florida Cup victory.

“The way we played, the intensity we showed, the way we were trying to show who we are as a team. But at the same time, it’s just a test match. Don’t get carried away. There are still a lot of things that we have to get better at, and do better.

“But I think it’s good to get some momentum, finish the tour in the right way, give some enjoyment to our fans and everybody that’s been contributing to make this tour happen. Now it’s time to go back to London, to focus and keep making improvements and steps forwards.”


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