ORLANDO, FL – Arsenal F.C. put on a show here in Orlando on Saturday when they beat Chelsea F.C. 4-0 in front of a record crowd.
The 63,811 fans witnessed a clinic, and happened to be the largest soccer crowd in Camping World Stadium history.
The Gunners put on a clinic, pressing aggressively, they made their way through the sweltering Central Florida weather in July, and keeping the struggling Blues on their heels.
Arsenal’s newest signing Gabriel Jesus drew first blood in the match by putting in a Grannit Xakak cross for the score in the 16th minute.
It was Jesus’ fourth goal for Arsenal this summer.
Arsenal scored again after taking advantage of some sloppy in the box by the Blues, Martin Odegaard managed to get the ball, change direction, and put it in the net.
Chelsea did manage to push back later in the first period by making offensive pushes deep into the Arsenal end.
They came close to reducing their deficit right before half-time when Mason Mount struck a post with a fine effort from the angle on the right of the box.
After the half, Arsenal came out to the locker room set to play with even further aggression, keeping Chelsea looking for openings, and bringing in Christian Pulisic and others for a second half push, but to no avail.
The stadium split in red and blue made it obvious who was controlling the night.
In the 66th minute, Bukayo Sake added to the score by working with Martinelli and Xhaka to hit Edward Mendy with chances. Martinelli took a shot from the left, which Mendy managed to tip away. the rebound went to Sandy, wo took his shot, which was deflected to the foot of Saka, who put it in.
Finally, in stoppage time, substitute Sambi Lokonga scored for the game final score.
“As you could see there are a lot of positives to take from the game.” Said Arsenal FC Head Coach Mikel Arteta
“The way we played, the intensity we showed, the way we were trying to show who we are as a team. But at the same time, it’s just a test match. Don’t get carried away. There are still a lot of things that we have to get better at and do better. But I think it’s good to get some momentum.”
Chelsea FC, on the other hand, seems to be feeling the effects of the long hours of travel.
“It was long. It was long, for sure. Also hard.” Said Chelsea Head Coach Thomas Tuchel
” It was long and we could see — we could feel the energy, the energy level dropped after Las Vegas and after latest, after the Charlotte game because of a lot of traveling. And very humid and very hot temperature made it tough because we are like now two weeks on the road.”
Chelsea returns to Europe to play Udinese at Stadio Friuli, Italy on July 29th.
Arsenal returns to London to face Sevilla at Emerates Stadium on July 29th.
