An Arsenal XI consisting of first-team stars Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu fell to a heavy 4-0 defeat against Championship strugglers QPR in a friendly on Thursday

Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu were part of an Arsenal team who were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by QPR in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Thursday.

Both Partey and Tomiyasu have been working their way back to fitness behind the scenes in recent weeks. Partey, 30, has struggled with injuries all season and has played just 41 minutes in total since August. Tomiyasu, 25, has been plagued by a calf injury but had managed to clock up 20 appearances in all competitions prior to the turn of the year.

It’s hoped that Partey and Tomiyasu could yet have a crucial role to play in the title run-in. Mikel Arteta side are top of the Premier League heading into the final weeks of the season ahead of Liverpool and Man City. It’s been outlined that Partey played for a full hour before being withdrawn as his recovery continues to be monitored. Tomiyasu, who signed a new contract earlier this week, completed 45 minutes of the match.

QPR, who are fighting to avoid relegation from the Championship, fielded a strong team and won courtesy of a brace from Michael Frey and further goals from Elijah Dixon-Bonner and Ziyad Larkeche at their new state-of-the-art training facility.

The majority of Arsenal’s squad are currently away on international duty, with the likes of Declan Rice Bukayo Saka poised to feature for England in fixtures against Brazil and Belgium over the next week and a half.