Boreham Wood 0-4 Arsenal U23s: Arsene Wenger watches from stands as Gunners side seal comfortable win

  • Arsenal continued their pre-season preparations at Boreham Wood on Thursday
  • Carl Jenkinson and Mathieu Debuchy featured against the National League side
  • Chuba Akpom, Jon Toral and two from Stephy Mavididi sealed a resounding win
  • Arsene Wenger was in the stands at Meadow Park for the annual friendly fixture 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger sat alongside club chief executive Ivan Gazidis as the Gunners sealed a comfortable 4-0 victory over non-league Boreham Wood in their annual pre-season friendly.

Goals from Chuba Akpom, Jon Toral and two from Stephy Mavididi at Meadow Park completed an encouraging night for Wenger's side, with the Frenchman in the stands to run the rule over members of the club's development squad.

Carl Jenkinson and Mathieu Debuchy were two senior players included against the National League side, and Wenger was pitchside before the encounter to officially open Boreham Wood's brand new Desso pitch.

Arsene Wenger chats with Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard prior to the pre-season game

Arsene Wenger chats with Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard prior to the pre-season game

Wenger cuts the ribbon to the new pitch at Meadow Park before taking his seat for the match

Wenger cuts the ribbon to the new pitch at Meadow Park before taking his seat for the match

Arsenal have continued their strong ties with the non-league outfit with their annual friendly

Arsenal have continued their strong ties with the non-league outfit with their annual friendly

Stephy Mavididi slots Arsenal's second goal during a comfortable outing for the Under 23s

Stephy Mavididi slots Arsenal's second goal during a comfortable outing for the Under 23s

Youth team manager Steve Gatting opted to give Jenkinson the chance to impress in a midfield role, with Matt Macey starting in goal behind a back three of Debuchy, Krystian Bielik and Julio Pleguzuelo.


Jeff Reine Adelaide, who made six appearances for the Gunners last season across the domestic cups, played alongside Jenkinson, Toral and Cohen Brammall - who had last week been facing Bayern Munich during the club's tour of China.

Akpom led the line, with Edward Nketiah and Mavididi supporting him, in a youthful-looking side in Hertfordshire.

The FA Cup was paraded on the pitch before kick-off at the ground where the club's Ladies team play their home fixtures, and Arsenal were swiftly into their stride, taking the lead from the penalty spot after Eddie Nketiah was tripped in the box. 

Carl Jenkinson was given a run-out at Meadow Park and in an unfamiliar midfield role

Carl Jenkinson was given a run-out at Meadow Park and in an unfamiliar midfield role

Julio Pleguzuelo played as part of a back three and the 20-year-old Spaniard impressed

Julio Pleguzuelo played as part of a back three and the 20-year-old Spaniard impressed

Jon Toral - who scored Arsenal's third goal on the night - vies for the ball with Angelo Balenta

Jon Toral - who scored Arsenal's third goal on the night - vies for the ball with Angelo Balenta

Jeff Reine-Adelaide was another player with first-team experience on show for the Gunners

Jeff Reine-Adelaide was another player with first-team experience on show for the Gunners

Akpom kept his nerve to slot past goalkeeper Grant Smith in the 12th minute, and the Gunners doubled their lead 12 minutes later through Stephy Mavididi's scooped finish following good work from Akpom.

Toral's simple finish shortly before half-time made it 3-0, Mavididi rounded off the scoring early in the second period on a good run-out for the club's Under 23s. 

The powerful striker poked in from close range following a scramble in the box, which Wenger applauding his efforts in grabbing his second goal of the contest.