Pre Season: Debut Goal For Martinelli As Saka, Olayinka Scores To Help Arsenal See Off Colorado Rapids
Arsenal got off to a winning start in pre-season as goals from Bukayo Saka, James Olayinka and a debut strike from Gabriel Martinelli saw the Gunners cruise to a 3-0 victory over Colorado Rapids.
Having only signed for the club on July 2, Gabriel Martinelli was given a surprise start in attack by Unai Emery- and the Brazilian almost had a dream start, only to skew an effort wide after good work from Saka.
Saka was lively from the off and got his reward after 12 minutes, latching on to a fine through-ball from Eddie Nketiah.
The 17-year-old clipped finish took a deflection off Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin, but bounced beyond a despairing defender’s slide and into the net.
Martinelli may have missed an early chance to mark his debut with a goal, but the 18-year-old got his wish after the break by flicking home a cross from close range.
The Denver crowd got a little star quality as Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette all came on with 12 minutes to go, but they were never really needed as Emerys young guns had already done the hard work