Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu both featured as an Arsenal XI – predominantly made up of under-21 players – lost 4-0 to QPR in a behind-closed-doors friendly match at the west London side’s training ground.
Fresh from agreeing a contract extension, Tomiyasu, who has been struggling with a calf injury, played the first half.
The appearance represented the Japan international’s first minutes in an Arsenal shirt since he came off the bench at Fulham on New Year’s Eve.
Having made the bench for the win over Porto, we’ll assume he’s in contention to do the same when we travel to Manchester City in 10 days.
Partey lasted until just past the hour-mark and departed alongside four others with the score at 2-0.
While the Ghanaian has made two cameo appearances off the bench against Sheffield United and Brentford in recent weeks, he definitely looked rusty in the former and will benefit from more game time.
A brace by Michael Frey, plus strikes by Elijah Dixon-Bonner and Ziyad Larkeche did the damage.
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Gunners arrange another kickabout at the weekend.
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Arsenal: Ejeheri (Rojas 46), Nichols (Dudziak 64), Robinson, Foran, Tomiyasu (Quesada-Thorn 46), Partey (Kabia 64), Lewis-Skelly, Gower (Bandeira 64), Cozier-Duberry (Oulad M’Hand 64), Butler-Oyedeji, Kamara (Rosiak 64).
4-0 FFS #Arteta out!
@@@ For those unfamiliar with the concept that was a joke.@@@
That you Lee Gunner?
Muppets don’t have fingers so they can’t type
Two of QPR goalscorers are aged 21 and 23 and have 18 appearances each for QPR (all in this season). The brace scorer though is a veteran.
Can’t read much into closed door friendly but the fact is that most of our team was U21 regulars with some having first team exposure (training or bench). Such comprehensive defeat does not reflect well on the academy.
“Can’t read too much into a closed door friendly” – proceeds to read too much into a closed door friendly.
Ragtops reporting a “ Thrashing” Sad b’ stards.Any excuse to stick the knife in.A boys team.Big deal.
Nice to see both Tomi and Partey returning to fitness. We have a massive few weeks ahead of us and need as many fit players as possible.
Both these players frustrate the hell out of me: both great on their day but neither can stay fit for any length of time.
Well done Tomi for winning that new contract.
That last N in Dixon-Bonner is doing some heavy lifting.
Had to Google Michael Frey to see if he was any relation to the Arsenal goalkeeping legend Sebastian Frey.
Hahaaaa! Can always tell the OG’s around here…
Cashly
Ungrateful
Narcissistic
Twerp