LONDON:
Arsenal
returned to action for the first time since the
Premier League was stopped because of the
COVID-19
pandemic as they beat
Charlton Athletic
6-0 in a friendly at an empty
Emirates Stadium
on Saturday.
Premier League clubs were this week given the all-clear to play friendlies ahead of the scheduled restart on June 17, following a three-month stoppage.
Arsenal hosted second-tier Charlton behind closed doors and with officiating roles carried out by club staff.
Alex Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored before halftime while academy graduate
Eddie Nketiah
grabbed a second-half hat-trick. Joe Willock was also on target.
Arsenal, who are ninth in the standings, take on Manchester City in an away game on June 17.