Arsenal beat Millwall 4-1 in pre-season friendly: Balogun & Pepe score

Arsenal have had to change their pre-season plans this summer following the cancellation of their USA tour due to positive coronavirus cases within the camp, taking on Millwall instead of Inter and winning 4-1 on Saturday afternoon.

Originally scheduled to play the Serie A champions on Sunday, the club have had to act quick to arrange behind-closed-doors friendlies in order to offer the players some alternative, with one arranged against Championship outfit Millwall at midday.

The fixture was held at London Colney and not made available for the public to stream given the time constraints, which while understandable is also an even bigger shame to those unable to attend in Florida or supporters elsewhere. The club put it up for free streaming on the official site later in the day.

But Arsenal won! The first victory of pre-season following a 2-1 defeat to Hibernian at Easter Road and a 2-2 draw with Rangers at Ibrox.

Arsenal beat Millwall 4-1 in behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly thanks to goals from Calum Chambers, Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette and Folarin Balogun

Against Millwall Arthur Okonkwo was called into action early on after some more than questionable defending from Pablo Mari, making a fine reflex save to keep the scores level. The hosts got their noses in front when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang crashed an overhead kick against the bar, which was tapped home from point blank range by Calum Chambers.

The right-back then turned provider after the break, whipping in a ball for Alexandre Lacazette to slam a header home.

The win was wrapped up with 66 minutes on the clock as a neat dummy from Lacazette saw the ball fall invitingly into Pepe’s path in the box, who didn’t turn down the offer of a curling effort into the top corner.

Folarin Balogun was introduced later on and made an immediate impact by rounding the Millwall goalkeeper and slotting home following some excellent work from Willian in the build up. Flo knows where the goal is on this Colney pitch, that’s for sure.

Gary Rowett’s side pulled one back last on after more questionable defending from a set piece so Millwall recycle possession too easily. It’s been the standout area of concern so far this pre-season. On a positive not, while it’s too early to draw any meaningful conclusions, Sambi Lokonga looked smooth on the ball in his debut 45 minutes.

Plans are in place to arrange another behind-closed-doors fixture to make up for the second of their two matches due to be played in Orlando. The Under-23 side will take no Ebbsfleet on Saturday July 31 but there is still no word yet on the senior side.

It is highly likely to be another behind-closed-doors fixture given how hastily it needs to be arranged.

Should that fixture be arranged then Arsenal will prepare to follow that up with a home visit of Chelsea on August 1 as part of the Mind Series tournament. Seven days after that it’s a trip to Tottenham before taking on Brentford in the opening match of the 2021/22 Premier League season five days later.