Olivier Giroud, who has been linked with a summer move from the Emirates stadium, was among the scorers asn Arsenal completed their Australian tour with a 3-1 win against Western Sydney Wanderers. Aaron Ramsey and Mohamed Elneny also scored in a match that attracted a crowd of 83,221. The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, says the London club have not made a bid for the Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe. The Gunners signed Alexandre Lacazette from Lyons this month, prompting rumours that Giroud would be leaving for another Premier League club. Wenger said he thought Mbappe would stay at Monaco this summer: “It looks like that. One more season. Maybe he has too much choice.”
TERRY BROUGHT DOWN TO EARTH
John Terry made his Aston Villa debut yesterday after being named club captain, but was on the losing side in a friendly against Shrewsbury Town. The former England captain left Chelsea at the end of last season and was signed for Villa by manager Steve Bruce. Shrewsbury won 2-1 going ahead with goals from Zak Jules and Arthur Gnahoua before a late Villa penalty scored by Henri Lansbury.
DE BOER MAKES WINNING START
New manager Frank de Boer saw Crystal Palace win 3-1 in a pre-season friendly at Maidstone United. Jordon Mutch put the Premier League side in front at the Gallagher stadium before Joe Pigott equalised with a clever free kick. Mutch scored a second and substitute Jacob Berkeley got the third in the 70th minute. Saido Berahino nicked his first goal for Stoke City in a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Monaco in Martigny, Switzerland. Watford lost 3-2 at League One side AFC Wimbledon, for whom Alfie Egan got the winning goal. Bournemouth defeated the Portuguese outfit Estoril 2-1, with goals from Jordon Ibe and Max Gradel. Southampton drew 0-0 against the Swiss side St Gallen, while Norwich City of the Championship beat Cambridge United 2-0.
MOTHERWELL HIT FIVE IN THE LEAGUE CUP
Motherwell opened their Scottish League Cup campaign with a 5-1 win over Queen’s Park. Chris Cadden gave the Lanarkshire side the lead with a well-taken goal after 11 minutes but Adam Cummins equalised when he bundled the ball home after his initial header was pushed onto the bar. The Premiership team went back in front when new signing Craig Tanner scored, and that strike sparked Motherwell into life, substitute Ryan Bowman adding the third with a composed finish. Bowman then scored a fourth with 14 minutes left, lofting the ball over the goalkeeper. Louis Moult curled home a free kick to make it 5-1. In the other match in Group F, Morton beat Berwick Rangers 1-0 thanks to an Oliver Fleming own goal. In Group H, Livingston and Partick Thistle drew 1-1 but the home side picked up the bonus point by winning the penalty shootout 3-1. Dundee United beat Raith Rovers 2-0 and Hibernian brushed aside Montrose 4-0, with Simon Murray and Fraser Murray among the scorers.
SHERINGHAM HEADS FOR INDIA
The former England striker Teddy Sheringham has been appointed head coach of the Indian Super League side Atletico de Kolkata. The 51-year-old, who managed Stevenage last year, takes over at the reigning ISL champions, who also won the title in 2014.
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ST JOHNSTONE KEEPER HURT
The St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark was taken to hospital as a precaution after colliding with Sunderland’s Jack Rodwell during a friendly. Clark saved a penalty during the game at McDiarmid Park, which Saints won 3-0. David Wotherspoon scored twice and Steven MacLean got the other goal. New signings Olivier Ntcham, Kundai Benyu and Jonny Hayes impressed as a much-changed Celtic went down 4-0 to Lyons at Celtic Park. Brendan Rodgers’ side bore no resemblance to the team that dispatched Linfield 2-0 on Friday night. Benyu had an effort cleared off the line in the first half.