Arsene Wenger was pleased with Arsenal’s performance after a 1-1 draw against RC Lens in France.
RC Lens went into half time ahead after a 37th minute goal from Mathias Autret before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's late chipped finish levelled the game for Arsenal.
The Frenchman told Arsenal’s website: “It’s a good comeback. It was quite an intense game physically. They start their French championship next week and they were quite ready physically.
"We had to dig deep a little bit to come back but I think that overall it was a good workout for us to have as our first game. It was quite an intense one.”
After Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal, Wenger hoped the England International will not endure the same problems with form and injures as he did last season.
Arsenal’s squad for the friendly featured first team players Nacho Monreal, Theo Walcott and Francis Coquelin with a mixture of youth players including Chuba Akpom, Gedion Zelalem and Chris Willock. The likes of Oliver Giroud, Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez were absent due to their respective involvements in Euro 2016 and Copa America.
The squad will depart for their United States pre-season tour on Monday to play against the MLS All-Stars and Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara.
On The Transfer Market
During his post match interview, Arsene Wenger admitted he is still active in the summer transfer market. The North London club have been linked to the likes of Gonzalo Higuaín, Marco Icardi and Alexandre Lacazette this summer with Granit Xhaka and Takuma Asano his only purchases so far.
“I wouldn’t like to come out on names because if you don’t get them afterwards, people ask why. We are active, very active every day and it’s not over," added Wenger.
"Today we are on July 22 and the transfer market finishes on August 31. You know that a lot happens in the last week, so it’s a long time to go, but we are active and we are working.”