July 28, (THEWILL) – In another pre-season friendly played behind closed doors, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal put four goals past a side boasting members of the Super Eagles’ squad Watford FC. It was the second four goal victory in two pre-season games for the north Londoners and Oghenekaro Etebo and Emmanuel Dennis were on the losing side.
Although Watford pulled one back, Arsenal’s forwards Eddie Nketiah and Alex Lacazette, left back Kieran Tierney and teenager Miguel Azeez all found the back of the net to consign the Hornets to another fruitless search for a friendly win.
Etebo and Dennis joined the action at Arsenal’s Emirates Training Ground and Etebo was involved in the game for over an hour. He was substituted in the 65th minute playing a full 20 minutes more than his compatriot Dennis, who did not return for the second 45 minutes of the friendly.
Their Watford teammate Philip Zinckernagel stole possession of the ball while Arsenal dilly-dallied in their box to equalise for the Hornets, cancelling Arsenal’s early advantage from an Nketiah strike. It ensured the recently-promoted Premier League side went into the break level on scores with their hosts.
Etebo helped to keep the status quo while his teammates probed for an extra goal but it was Arsenal that found all the goals scored in the second half to take victory. Lacazette dispatched a penalty with confidence and Tierney smashed in the third from close range.
Although Watford goalkeeper Rob Elliot was on hand to keep some of the Gunners’ goal attempts out, he could do nothing about Miguel Azeez’s curler from outside the box, which sealed the win for the Emirates side.
Etebo’s Hertfordshire-based club will however take the lessons from their more illustrious Premiership opponents to improve the readiness of Xisco Muñoz’s charges for the competitive climate of the English top flight after their quick return from the relegation of the 2019/2020 campaign.
Etebo and his teammates are billed to commence their return in the upcoming season with an opening day clash against Aston Villa, who might have in their side the Anglo-Nigerian teenager sensation, Carney Chibueze Chukwuemeka, for the 2021/2022 season.
Before then however, Etebo and Dennis will have one more chance to get a win in the pre-season period when meet Crystal Palace on the field of play in Sunday’s final pre-season game for Watford.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
