Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Manchester City recorded victories in their pre-season friendly matches in the early hours of today in the United States of America, while Chelsea and Everton, with Alex Iwobi in action, were stunned by Major League Soccer teams.
In Orlando, Florida, Arsenal scored twice in the second half to beat their hosts Orlando City 3-1 in a match delayed by adverse weather.
Starting with the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares, Arsenal took the lead after just five minutes through Gabriel Martinelli but the MLS side equalised in the 29th minute through Facundo Torres.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta brought on Gabriel Jesus, Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel at the restart as he sought to win his third straight pre-season friendly.
Thomas Partey, William Saliba, Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka also joined the fray with about 23 minutes left, a minute after Eddie Nketiah had restored Arsenal’s lead.
Reiss Nelson finished off the American side in the 80th minute as the Gunners added the win to the ones against Ipswich, Nurnberg and Everton.
In Washington, Sadio Made and Matthijs de Ligt scored on their unofficial Bayern Munich debuts as the German champions thrashed Wayne Rooney’s DC United 6-2.
The Senegal forward scored from the penalty spot in the fifth minute and assisted Bayern’s third goal in the 44th minute for Serge Gnabry after Marcel Sabitzer had made it 2-0 in the 12th minute.
De Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Thomas Muller scored in the second half as Bayern Munich eased to victory over the MLS side.
Manchester City had a tougher time against Mexican side Club America at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas but the Premier League champions prevailed 2-1.
With big-money signing Erling Halaand left on the bench, Kevin De Bruyne scored both goals for City to give them a winning start to pre-season.
Chelsea, on their part, were stunned by Charlotte FC in Charlotte, North Carolina, the MLS side winning on penalties after full-time ended 1-1.
USA international Christian Pulisic gave Chelsea the lead in the 30th minute but the hosts equalised in the 92nd minute through Daniel Rios.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel brought on Raheem Sterling for his unofficial debut at the start of the second half but the former Manchester City forward could not add to the Blues’ lead before the added-time equaliser.
The American side won the penalty shootout 5-3 as they scored all their kicks while Conor Gallagher missed for Chelsea.
The biggest shock of the night/morning was Everton’s 4-0 defeat to Minnesota United in Minnesota.
Despite starting with a strong line-up that included Super Eagles midfielder Iwobi, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jordan Pickford and Abdoulaye Doucoure, Everton were 3-0 down in the first half.
Frank Lampard made wholesale changes at half-time but it was the MLS side who added a fourth goal to complete the embarrassing rout.
