Two Nigerian teenagers were on target as Arsenal began their pre-season schedule in style, thrashing Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids 3-0 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park Denver on Tuesday morning.

Gunners manager Unai Emery named several promising youngsters in his starting line-up including Bukayo Saka and James Olayinka, who made his full debut for the North London club.

Twelve minutes into the contest, Saka, who was very outstanding in the early stages of the game, bundled the ball home to give the Premier League side the lead.

Olayinka netted an absolute beauty from outside the box to double Arsenal's advantage in the 29th minute, before new signing Martinelli added the third goal just after the hour mark.

Aged 18, Olayinka played with the number 52 kit vs Colorado Rapids. He was a second half substitute in a friendly against Al Nasr in March 2019.

A box-to-box attacking midfielder, the Hale End Academy product who models his game after Aaron Ramsey was substituted in the 62nd minute against the American opponents.

In their next pre-season friendly, Arsenal will face German champions Bayern Munich and the game will take place at Dignity Health Sports Park (Carson, California) on Thursday, July 18.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : ColoradoRapids.com