Bukayo Saka Scores as Arsenal Beat Colorado Rapids 3-0 to Kick off US Tour

Arsenal opened their United States tour with a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Monday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

Bukayo Saka scored the opening goal in the 13th minute. James Olayinka and Gabriel Martinelli tacked on insurance goals in the 29th and 61st minutes as Arsenal cruised to victory.

The Gunners return to the pitch Wednesday to begin the 2019 International Champions Cup. They face off with Bayern Munich on Wednesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Because his club has such a relatively quick turnaround before its next match, manager Unai Emery opted to start a number of academy players. Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were limited to brief cameos in the second half.

The friendly did provide supporters an opportunity to see how some of Arsenal's next generation is shaping up.

Olayinka delivered the match's most memorable moment with his first-half goal. The 18-year-old intercepted a pass in the attacking third and briefly ran at goal before unleashing a thunderous right-footed shot into the top-right corner. Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin didn't even move as he watched the ball fly into the back of the net.

Martinelli also played well in his debut after having just joined Arsenal on July 2. The Brazilian was a bit lucky on his goal as Dominic Thompson's cross caromed in off his shoulder from close range.

But Martinelli deserved credit for getting into a great position to score just outside the six-yard box. He also routinely threatened down the right flank. 

In general, this result revealed little about Arsenal given how many key stars they were missing or chose not to start. The International Champions Cup will serve as a much better barometer for how the lineup is shaking out as manager Unai Emery approaches his second season in charge.

Having said that, supporters couldn't have asked for more than a comfortable win as the club starts slowly shifting its focus toward the start of the 2019-20 Premier League campaign.