Eddie Nketiah again impressed with a double in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the International Champions Cup.
By Ron Walker
The 20-year-old added to his strike against Bayern Munich with goals either side of half-time at the Bank of America Stadium, although Arsenal had things far from their own way for much of the game against their Serie A opponents.
Nketiah first showed his increasing confidence as he dragged back Sead Kolasinac's low cross away from a defender before slotting in the opener, while his second was a tap-in from an Alexandre Lacazette lay-off.
Fiorentina had numerous chances in either half and with some better finishing would have punished Arsenal's often naive defending, but the Gunners instead added a third late on with Joe Willock's fine finish high into the net and kept up their 100 per cent record in the cup.
Arsenal are back in action on Wednesday morning, when they face Real Madrid at midnight at the FedExField in Washington DC.
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"Really I am with patience because we want to choose the best solution," Unai Emery said on their transfer business.
"Some players are very expensive and we are waiting for this possibility.
"We don't want now to go to the second line of players. We are waiting. We have very good players. We have very good young players. We are aware also that we need to improve some players in this squad.
"I want to sign one, two, three or four players only if we can be sure they are coming to improve our team."
Which youngsters impressed?
Bukayo Saka, the youngest member of Arsenal's travelling squad, looked more 27 than 17 with a mature performance on the left of a front three, linking up especially well with the bombing runs of Kolasinac before half-time.
Fellow starter Peter Olayinka looked equally assured in the centre of midfield, and having grown into the game, perhaps after shaking off some early nerves, made a couple of bursting runs through the Fiorentina defence and looked a tidy passer.
19-year-old Robbie Burton, making his first start in the International Champions Cup, had a quieter game before his substitution, but from the bench Willock again displayed his increasing confidence by taking on Fiorentina players at will and having little trouble beating them - and adding a late goal.
And if any more needed saying of Nketiah, he had an impressive game but needed to brush up on his play outside the box. The 20-year-old found himself on the ball in the channels only a few times throughout the whole game, and his final ball from outside the box was lacking.
Arsenal's new technical director Edu wants everyone at the club to return to the winning mentality which made Arsene Wenger's side invincible.
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