Nketiah Scores 35th Minute Hattrick For Arsenal To Beat Ipswich In Friendly

Eddie Nketiah celebrates his contract at Arsenal with a 35th minute hattrick as they beat Ipswich 5-1 on Saturday in his first pre-season game.

Arsenal kicked off their pre-season fixtures by thrashing the League One favourites in a behind-closed-doors friendly at London Colney, launched by Nketiah opening the scoring after 30 seconds when Ipswich lost possession in a dangerous area.

Nketiah who was wearing legend Thierry Henry's old No 14 shirt ended lengthy speculation about his future by signing a new long-term deal less than two weeks ago, saw his header saved by goalkeeper Christian Walton before setting up a Sambi Lokonga strike.

Nicolas Pepe went close with a curling effort but Nketiah stole the show, scoring twice in quick succession from close range to complete his hat-trick.

Bernd Leno, Hector Bellerin, Ben White, Thomas Partey and Nicolas Pepe featured in a strong Gunners starting lineup, with both teams changed entirely for the second half.

Manager Mikel Arteta was able to call upon players who have not been involved in recent international matches, introducing Folarin Balogun as he switched his entire side at the interval to give young players experience.

The 20-year-old England youth hotshot added the fifth after his initial shot had hit a post, marking his return from a loan spell at Middlesbrough spanning the second half of the 2022/23 season.

Leno thwarted Sam Morsy shortly before half-time and Arsenal replacement goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo tipped Lee Evans's shot over the crossbar during the second period.

Sone Aluko fired in a late consolation for Kieran McKenna's men, and Kyle Edwards also went close for Town.

Arteta takes Arsenal to a training camp in Germany on Monday, ending with a game at Nurnberg on July 8.

Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus is expected to have completed his £45m move to the Emirates Stadium by then.

Arsenal subsequently play three games in the USA. Their Premier League campaign begins at Crystal Palace on August 5.