Orlando City 1 Arsenal 3 : Anglo-Nigerian duo not given minutes amid transfer speculation

There are strong indications that 2001-born Anglo-Nigerian players Arthur Okonkwo and Folarin Balogun are not in the plans of manager Mikel Arteta at least for the first half of the forthcoming season.

For the second consecutive pre-season friendly, the goalkeeper and striker were not give minutes by the Spanish football tactician as Arsenal continued their fine form in pre-season with a 3-1 victory over Major League Soccer club Orlando City at the Exploria Stadium in Florida on Thursday morning - their fourth win on the bounce.

Okonkwo was omitted from the matchday squad, with Aaron Ramsdale handed a starting berth and Matthew Turner replacing him at the break.

Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli, Nicolas Pepe, Reiss Nelson and Bukayo Saka are ahead of Balogun in Arteta's pecking order of wingers and attackers, and it meant he was a non-playing substitute against the American team.

Balogun has been linked with possible loan moves to Championship and Bundesliga clubs this summer, while Okonkwo is angling for a temporary exit from the Emirates Stadium in search of regular first team football.

Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring in the fifth minute but the MLS side equalised through a sensational goal from Facundo Torres in the 29th minute.

In the second half, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson found the net to seal the victory for Arsenal.

The north London side conclude their United States tour on Sunday morning when they take on Chelsea at Camping World Stadium.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com

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