Zinchenko, Nelson and Raya feature as Arsenal secure 3-0 win against Luton Town in behind-closed-doors friendly
Arsenal secured a 3-0 victory over Luton Town in a behind-closed-doors friendly today, according to the Daily Telegraph journalist Sam Dean.
New signing David Raya was in goal for 60 minutes, while injured duo Oleksandr Zinchenko and Reiss Nelson finally returned to action having been training for a while.
Leonardo Trossard grabbed a brace while Bukayo Saka grabbed another goal in the game as manager Mikel Arteta handed some of his players a chance to impress ahead of their next Premier League game.
The Gunners face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday and will be keen to secure a comfortable victory following their 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest in their Premier League opener of the new campaign on Saturday.
Jurrien Timber sustained a knee injury which could now rule him out for the majority of the season, but having Zinchenko return to action today is a huge boost.
The Ukraine international left-back is expected to feature against the Eagles on Monday, and Arteta could decide against bringing in another defender this summer as a result of the return of the former Manchester City star.
The Spaniard will also be able to call on Nelson who missed the pre-season tour of the United States, but the player who would have loved his involvement in the friendly today would be Raya.
The goalkeeper joined the North London club on a season-long loan from Brentford earlier this week and will need to displace Aaron Ramsdale to have a chance of convincing Arsenal to activate the option to sign him permanently.
Raya keeping a clean sheet is good for his confidence, and Arteta will keep watching him and Ramsdale in training before deciding when to hand the Spain international his official debut.
