Arsenal suffer heavy defeat to QPR in behind-closed-doors friendly as first team players feature

An Arsenal XI suffered a 4-0 defeat to Championship side QPR during a behind-closed-doors friendly on Thursday.

Despite most of the Gunners squad being away on international duty this week, the friendly gave an opportunity to fringe players and those recovering from injury to get much-needed game time.

As a result, both Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu featured from the start of the match, with Partey playing over an hour and Tomiyasu completing the first half.

Ghana international Partey was involved in a number of attacking moves, including a shot in the early stages that was well saved by QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh.

Marti Cifuentes' side, who are battling relegation, had a strong squad to choose from, although key players such as Lyndon Dykes, Kenneth Paal and club captain Asmir Begovic were not involved.

But Ilias Chair, who has been of the side's key players this season, was named from the start, while former Arsenal youngster Chris Willock was on the bench and played the second half of the fixture.

Swiss striker Michael Frey netted a brace either side of half-time, while former Liverpool midfielder Elijah Dixon-Bonner and left-back Ziyad Larkeche also got their names on the scoresheet.

Arsenal's squad, meanwhile, was largely made up of under-21 players, with the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Taylor Foran playing 90 minutes.

🚨 Thomas Partey & Takehiro Tomiyasu both started as an Arsenal XI lost 4-0 to QPR in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the TSG Elite Training & Performance Centre today. #afc pic.twitter.com/NWTqE8IDQj

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) March 21, 2024

And Amario Cozier-Duberry, who has been on the first team bench on several occasions this season, also appeared for over an hour as he attempted to stake another claim for senior football in the coming months.

Despite the result, though, Mikel Arteta will have been pleased to see Partey and Tomiyasu get through the game without further issue - and it is more minutes for Arsenal's younger players against Championship opposition.

And amid the withdrawal of Bukayo Saka from the England squad, there could be opportunities for one of the younger attacks to be involved against Manchester City on March 31 if there is a vacancy in the squad.