Sone Aluko and Folarin Balogun get on the scoresheet as Arsenal beat Ipswich 5-1 in pre-season friendly

FORMER Super Eagles winger Some Aluko and Nigeria-eligible striker Folarin Balogun were both on the scoresheet yesterday when English Premier League giants Arsenal beat League One side Ipswich Town 5-1 in a pre-season friendly.

With the Premier League set to kick off on August 5 and action beginning in the lower divisions later this month, clubs have begun preparing for the season. Aluko scored Ipswich Town's only goal of the game, while Nigerian-Briton, Balogun, who played on loan last season at Middlesbrough was also on the scoresheet after coming on in the second half.

Aluko had represented England at junior level before also representing Nigeria at the U-20 and U-23 levels. He then played for Nigeria under Stephen Keshi and scored his only two goals for the Super Eagles in a match against South Africa in Uyo.

Now 33, Aluko played in China before returning to base in England where he began his career, having previously played for Birmingham City, Reading, Hull City and Fulham. he had also played in Scotland during his time for Glasgow Rangers and Aberdeen.

Last season, scored three times in 30 games last season in the League One. A left-footed winger, he  last played for the Super Eagles in 2015 after making his debut six years earlier under Shaibu Amodu.