Makeshift Arsenal team loses behind-closed-doors friendly to Brentford

A second string Arsenal side took on Brentford in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday, losing 2-1 to the Bees at their Colney training base.

Mikel Arteta gave a run out to a number of players who are unlikely to start in the season opener against Cystal Palace on 5 August.

Matt Turner started in goal, behind a back four of Cedric Soares, Reuell Walters, Rob Holding and Nuno Tavares. Mohamed Elneny, Sambi Lokonga, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, new signing Marquinhos and Reiss Nelson were the midfield, behind Edde Nketiah up front/

The Gunners went behind to a Bryan Mbeumo goal in the first half, with Nketiah equalising and Ryan Trevitt putting the Bees back ahead, all before half-time.

There were more chances for young players off the bench, with Zach Awe, Charlie Patino, Charles Sagoe Jr and Lino Sousa all coming on.

After friendlies against Nurnberg, Everton, Orlando City and Chelsea, and with a clash with Sevilla coming up on Saturday it has been a busy schedule for Arsenal in pre-season.

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This is the first blemish for the Gunners after four straight victories, including an impressive 4-0 win over Chelsea in their last outing.

However, the Arsenal website reported that they were unlucky to fall short, suggesting that the Gunners dominated the second stanza.

‘After the break, it was one-way traffic as we peppered the Brentford goal trying to find an equaliser,’ according to the official Arsenal website.

Arsenal are back in action on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium against Sevilla, before a