ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN marked his long-awaited return to action with a goal as Arsenal failed to impress in their opening pre-season game.
The Ox has not played since suffering a serious knee injury in the Champions League defeat by Barcelona in February which forced him to miss the Euros.
And he was clearly still feeling his way back to full fitness after coming on as a half-time substitute against Lens last night.
Yet at least he emerged unscathed from his 45 minute run-out and levelled with an exquisite 82nd minute chip, which was just about the only positive for manager Arsene Wenger in front of a 30,000 sell-out crowd in northern France.
Even the absence of 12 senior stars could not explain such a sluggish performance showing from an Arsenal team which still contained ten senior internationals.
And Wenger would have been particularly concerned by the sight of Per Mertesacker once again struggling for pace as Arsenal’s back four were taken apart with worrying ease by the French second division side.
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The giant German lost his place in the team towards the end of last season when he simply ran out of steam.
Yet even his retirement from international football to give himself longer to recuperate over the summer does not appear to have worked for the veteran centre-half.
Calum Chambers was equally unconvincing in the middle of defence and it was his lack of awareness which led to the home team taking a 37th minute lead through the lively Mathias Autret.
No wonder Wenger has moved to bolster his defence with the £2.5million signing of Rob Holding from Bolton, although the England Under-21 star is not scheduled for immediate inclusion in the first-team squad.
Next five fixtures
MLS All-Stars vs Arsenal – 29 July (friendly)
Chivas de Guadalajara vs Arsenal – 1 Aug (friendly)
Viking FK vs Arsenal – 5 Aug (friendly)
Arsenal vs Manchester City – 7 Aug (friendly)
Arsenal vs Liverpool – 14 Aug (Premier League)
SOCIAL SAYS
WHAT THEY SAID
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: “It was a good workout for us. It was a very tough first pre-season game.
“We remain very active in the transfer market. If we find the right player we will spend big money.”
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