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A Theo Walcott-inspired Arsenal prepared for the start of the season with a 3-1 friendly win against Premier League rivals Manchester City.

The Gunners took an early lead when the 24-year-old forward chipped over Joe Hart when played in by Aaron Ramsey.

Walcott excelled in Helsinki, returning the favour after the break for Ramsey to round Hart and score.

Another Walcott pass saw Olivier Giroud lift in a third, before City striker Alvaro Negredo scored a consolation.

The summer signing from Sevilla side-footed under Lukasz Fabianski with little more than 10 minutes remaining.

Arsenal begin their top-flight campaign next Saturday when Aston Villa visit the Emirates Stadium, with City playing Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Monday.

Arsenal: Szczesny (Fabianski 46); Sagna (Jenkinson 73), Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta (Perez 67), Wilshere (Cazorla 46), Ramsey (Hayden 88); Oxlade-Chamberlain (Zelalem 73), Walcott, Podolski (Giroud 46). Subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Sebastian Perez, Hayden, Zelalem, Cazorla, Giroud.

Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta (Richards 46), Kompany, Lescott (Boyata 85), Clichy; Milner (Jesus Navas 46), Fernandinho (Rodwell 79), Toure (Javi Garcia 67), Silva (Jovetic 67); Dzeko (Nasri 46), Negredo. Subs: Pantilimon, Wright, Kolarov.