GABRIEL JESUS continued his scoring streak as Arsenal humiliated a poor Chelsea side in Orlando.
The GunnersThe Brazilian striker scored his fourth goal in four pre-season games with a superb opener in the 15th minute.
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Skipper Martin Odegaard added a second in the 36th minute before Bukayo Saka and Sambi Lakongo also scored after the break in a promising performance by Mikel Arteta’s side.
Thomas Tuchel Blues at the same time have been unsuccessful and the team seems to lack confidence and rhythm in a worrying result.
This hit comes a few days after them lost on penalties to MLS newcomers FC Charlotteas they ran past Club America in Las Vegas.
German coach Tuchel will now rely on some new faces ahead of the start of the new campaign to boost spirits at the club.
Both teams returned to the United Kingdom at the final whistle, with Arsenal ready to kick off this season.
Alexander Zinchenko started for Arsenal at left-back despite only joining the team on Friday in Orlando, completed his move to Manchester City.
Much has been made of Mikel Arteta’s use of Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magallanes this season, but in this case he started the trio in a back three.
At Chelsea, Raheem Sterling got his first start, while fellow rookie Kalidou Koulibaly sat on the bench.
For the first time in pre-season, Tuchel played virtually the strongest squad available but was left sorely disappointed as an efficient Arsenal side gave them a run around.
From a Chelsea corner, Gabriel Martinelli intercepted the ball and raced out of his own box before playing in Bukayo Sakho, who shot straight at Mendy.
In an attempt to disrupt Arsenal’s flow, Chelsea began to mount some heavy attacks to Arteta’s disdain, particularly after Conor Gallagher’s tackle on Saka.
But Tuchel’s men created problems for themselves largely thanks to Mendy’s poor distribution and a back four that struggled to clear a pass.
The two issues are combined into 15thousand for a minute when Trevoh Chalobah’s wayward pass was picked up by Granit Xhaka and he slotted the ball past Jesus for the first time.
One touch is all the Brazilian needs before overcoming the speedy Mendy.
Tuchel was angry and animated by his players during the short water break.
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However, Arsenal continued to build momentum as Odegaard’s free-kick was almost caught by Mendy but the Senegalese keeper was at fault for the north London club’s second strike.
With nine minutes left in the half, Mendy cut in and found a player in red as Martinelli spun before nudging Odegaard from behind to calmly slot home.
Chalobah was again out of sorts and limped off before half-time for Malanga Sara, despite Koulibaly’s presence on the bench.
The Blues ended the half brightly when Mason Mount hit Aaron Ramsdale’s post but that was it England the international had to worry.
Arsenal made just one change at half-time, with Nuno Tavares replacing Zinchenko at left-back, while Tuchel made major changes to his squad.
Switching to a back three, Cesar Azpilicueta came on alongside Marcos Alonso, Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic in place of Sterling, Emerson, Conor Gallagher and Tim Werner.
Both sides turned the game around with further changes during the half, most notably the introduction of Koulibaly in the opening minutes in a Chelsea shirt as he showed flashes of his quality.
While Chelsea improved with the line-up change, Arsenal continued to look dangerous at the break and grabbed a deserved third through Sakho in 66thousand a minute.
Mendy had to make two saves to deny Martinelli and Xhako before Sacco’s third attempt rebounded into the roof of the net.
In stoppage time, Cedric Soares’ excellent cross found Lakonga at the far post, who headed back through Mendy.
ARSENAL: (4-2-3-1) Ramsdale; Bely, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Jako; Sacco, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus
CHELSEA (4-3-3) Mendy; James, Chaloba, Silva, Emerson; Mount, Gallagher, Jorginho; Sterling, Havertz, Werner
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/9203998/arsenal-chelsea-gabriel-jesus-martin-odegaard-bukayo-saka/
