English clubs were back in action again in the United States as they ramped up their preseason preparation ahead of the new Premier League season kicking off in two weeks time.
Arsenal faced Chelsea in the final of the Florida Cup, while Manchester City took on German Champions Bayern Munich in a match shortened to 80 minutes due to bad weather overhead.
And Erling Haaland grabbed his debut Cityzen strike, bundling home from close range after just 12 minutes had been played, in what proved to eventually turn out to be the winning goal.
12 minutes into his Manchester City debut, and Erling Haaland has his first goal for #MCFC 🔥
🎥 @ESPNFCpic.twitter.com/Dxm1I8bHTA
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 23, 2022
But, in Orlando, the goals were flowing in as Arsenal and Chelsea faced off in their final pre-season games in the USA.
In a frenetic game, the Gunners ran out comfortable 4-0 winners over Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, with Gabriel Jesus opening the scoring for the Gunners with a chipped finish over the goalkeeper before Martin Odegaard grabbed the second with a well-timed run and calm strike.
GABRIEL JESUS CHIPS MENDY! 😱
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea pic.twitter.com/t4D1u8nxQF
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 24, 2022
Martin Ødegaard makes it 2-0 against Chelsea! 🔥@ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/Z9eVDOzk8e
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 24, 2022
Then Bukayo Saka got in on the act in the second half, bundling home from close range after Granit Xhaka saw an effort parried by Edouard Mendy. Though there were strong suspicions of offside, the goal stood.
Finally, in the dying moments of stoppage time, Cedric’s deep cross was met by Albert Sambi Lokonga, who headed home Arsenal’s fourth and completed the rout.
ARSENAL 3-0 CHELSEA!
THEY’RE PUTTING ON A SHOW 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eeVYeF5uy9
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 24, 2022
ARSENAL 4-0 CHELSEA 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/UcklIsSHnO
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) July 24, 2022