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.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Watch the main moments from today's 6-0 win over Charlton Athletic at Emirates Stadium— Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 6, 2020
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.
The pass from David
The touch from Ains
The finish from LacaA lovely goal for @LacazetteAlex! pic.twitter.com/7nPs4sp2TX— Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 6, 2020
Arsenal, who are ninth in the standings, are away to Manchester City on June 17.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman Editing by Toby Davis)