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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Tom Doyle

Colorado Rapids 0 Arsenal 3: Gabriel Martinelli scores on debut as Saka, Olayinka strike in US preseason win

Arsenal got off to a winning start in pre-season as goals from Bukayo Saka, James Olayinka and a debut strike from Gabriel Martinelli saw the Gunners cruise to a 3-0 victory over Colorado Rapids.

Having only signed for the club on July 2, Gabriel Martinelli was given a surprise start in attack by Unai Emery - and the Brazilian almost had a dream start, only to skew an effort wide after good work from Saka.

Saka was lively from the off and got his reward after 12 minutes, latching on to a fine through-ball from Eddie Nketiah.

The 17-year-old clipped finish took a deflection off Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin, but bounced beyond a despairing defender's slide and into the net.

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal were soon two goals to the good, and it was a special effort from 18-year-old Olayinka.

Intercepting a stray pass from defence, Olayinka surged forward and wrapped a curling effort into the top left-hand corner of the net - a fine finish, especially given that he was on his way down having been pushed while shooting.

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Martinelli may have missed an early chance to mark his debut with a goal, but the 18-year-old got his wish after the break by flicking home a cross from close range.

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The Denver crowd got a little star quality as Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette all came on with 12 minutes to go, but they were never really needed as Emerys young guns had already done the hard work.

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