Arsenal’s unbeaten pre-season record fell at the final hurdle when they went down 2-1 to Benfica on Saturday night.
The visitors had one hand on the Eusebio Cup at half-time. Arsène Wenger’s side had started slowly but cruised into the break thanks to Robin van Persie’s clinical strike - a late present on his 28th birthday.
Both sides made significant changes at the interval and their effect undoubtedly shaped the final result.
Argentinean international Pablo Aimar stabbed home the equaliser four minutes after the restart and Nolito fired home a fine second on the hour.
Benfica were now the more experienced side and it showed. Arsenal tried to battle their way back into the game but the home side stayed firm.
This result was a blow on the night but nothing too troubling given the changes at the break.
However the serious stuff is now just a week away.
This was the fourth Eusebio Cup. Benfica's previous opponents in the event had been Inter, Milan and Tottenham, who were the holders thanks to Gareth Bale’s solitary goal last season.
For those of you unaware of Eusebio’s legend, let’s throw you two simple statistics about his 15-year Benfica career - 638 goals, 614 games.
No wonder Wenger had called him the European Pele.
Before the game, the manager had suggested the Arsenal team this evening would be close to the one starting at Newcastle next Saturday. He had left a number of key players back in London with injuries of various lengths (all short-term). Barring those returns, it was worth wagering the team beginning at Benfica tonight would form the basis of the one at St. James' Park.
The first 15 minutes were full of energy from the Portuguese side but the quality came from the English outfit.
The home side claimed a penalty in the opening stages when Franco Jara went down under the challenge of Wojciech Szczesny on the right of the area.
Arsenal responded with Gervinho fooling his marker before firing low into the sidenetting. Then Andrey Arshavin stretched keeper Eduardo with a low drive across the face of goal.
As the half wore on, Benfica began to impose themselves. Just before the half-hour, Bruno Cesar thumped a cross-shot just wide and Oscar Cardozo fired over on the turn.
There was pride at stake for the Lisbon side who had invested heavily in the summer and were desperate to reclaim from Porto their position as ‘top dogs’ in Portugal.
However Arsenal had all the bite in the first half this evening.
In the 31st minute, Alex Song split the Benfica defence with a wonderful throughball and Van Persie’s chip beat the keeper before drifting past the far post.
The Dutchman only had to wait a little longer for his birthday goal.
On 33 minutes, Arshavin set Kieran Gibbs overlapping down the left and the defender’s cut-back was converted with lethal simplicity by the Dutchman. It was another strike on the road for Van Persie, whose Premier League record of nine away goals in consecutive game is still ongoing.
The striker needed treatment shortly afterwards when he was caught on the ankle by Ezequiel Garay. He was back on his feet after treatment and, buoyed with confidence, Arsenal saw out the half.
After the restart, Wenger brought on Chamakh, Miyaichi, Frimpong, Jenkinson, Squillaci and Fabianski for Arshavin, Van Persie, Song, Djourou, Sagna and Szczesny.
They had barely settled by the time Benfica were level. Nico Gaitan escaped down the left and his long, rangy cut-back meandered its way to Nolito at the far post. His one-touch pass found Aimar unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box. The experienced Argentine international was never going to miss.
The goal changed the game. Arsenal had been so composed after they scored but now they were on the back foot.
Shortly afterwards, Luisao clipped the bar with a rising drive from close range.
There was an intensity about Benfica after bringing on their more famous names at half time.
The second goal outlined that. Aimar found Joan Capdevila on the left. He crossed inside to Nolito who skipped past Squillaci before beating Fabianski at the near post with a powerful low drive.
Shortly afterwards, the keeper scrambled aside a thunderous, swerving free-kick from Javi Garcia.
Arsenal would now have to scrap their way back into the game - and scrap they did.
This had been a ‘no-holds-barred’ friendly throughout and the tackles continued to fly in from both sides.
Fourteen minutes from time, Gaitan stung the hands of Fabianski from distance. Late on the keeper also made fine stops from Jonathan Urretaviscaya and David Simao.
Arsenal’s only real chance of an equaliser came from substitute Henri Lansbury but he fired a free-kick high over the bar.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 6 Aug 11
Showing posts with label Pre-season. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pre-season. Show all posts
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Wenger's reaction to the FC Cologne 1-2 Arsenal match
on the minute’s silence before the game…
I think it is the minimum you can do. It was a terrible shock when you see what happened there, in a country that is so peaceful. We would like to support all those people who suffer, of course. We know that Norwegians follow English football.
on his thoughts after a good work-out…
We played at a good pace in the first half and looked dangerous. Gervinho had a good start and that is always important for his confidence. Overall, I liked today. We took many risks and were exposed to counter-attacks but, overall, I am happy.
on Gervinho’s brace on his Arsenal debut…
He has shown his qualities. He has quick movement behind [the defence], the timing of his movement is great and he is easy to find. We have seen what he can bring to the team and he contributes to the high pace we have in the team.
on how pre-season preparations are going…
The team is not completely ready but it was the end of our first phase of preparations and it was important to win the game.
on Conor Henderson’s injury…
The only sad thing today is the injury to Conor Henderson, it looks quite bad but let us hope that we have good news tomorrow morning. He twisted his knee, I don’t know how big the damage is but the first signs don’t look too encouraging.
on any other knocks…
Samir got a kick to his ankle, Gervinho got a kick on his knee but both have minor damage.
on plans for the week ahead…
Training, training, training! Morning and afternoon. It is a block of work that will be very intense for us. Tomorrow will be an easier day but Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be higher levels of work.
Source: Arsenal.com on 23 Jul 11
I think it is the minimum you can do. It was a terrible shock when you see what happened there, in a country that is so peaceful. We would like to support all those people who suffer, of course. We know that Norwegians follow English football.
on his thoughts after a good work-out…
We played at a good pace in the first half and looked dangerous. Gervinho had a good start and that is always important for his confidence. Overall, I liked today. We took many risks and were exposed to counter-attacks but, overall, I am happy.
on Gervinho’s brace on his Arsenal debut…
He has shown his qualities. He has quick movement behind [the defence], the timing of his movement is great and he is easy to find. We have seen what he can bring to the team and he contributes to the high pace we have in the team.
on how pre-season preparations are going…
The team is not completely ready but it was the end of our first phase of preparations and it was important to win the game.
on Conor Henderson’s injury…
The only sad thing today is the injury to Conor Henderson, it looks quite bad but let us hope that we have good news tomorrow morning. He twisted his knee, I don’t know how big the damage is but the first signs don’t look too encouraging.
on any other knocks…
Samir got a kick to his ankle, Gervinho got a kick on his knee but both have minor damage.
on plans for the week ahead…
Training, training, training! Morning and afternoon. It is a block of work that will be very intense for us. Tomorrow will be an easier day but Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be higher levels of work.
Source: Arsenal.com on 23 Jul 11
23 July 2011: FC Cologne 1-2 Arsenal, Rhein Energie Stadion
The Ivorian striker was on the pitch just 29 minutes but his appearance dominated proceedings. He lifted home a shot from Jack Wilshere’s perceptive pass in the opening stages and turned home Theo Walcott’s cross on the quarter-hour.
His collision with keeper Michael Rensing in scoring the second probably prompted his substitution on the half-hour. But this is no time for taking chances with injuries and the striker happily watched the second half from the sidelines with his team-mates.
Carl Jenkinson’s freakish own goal had given Cologne a route back just before the break. This open, lively friendly continued to entertain after the restart. Both sides had their chances but Arsenal deserved to hold on to the lead provided by the former Lille striker.
On the strength of today’s cameo, Arsène Wenger has spotted another diamond in the rough.Just before he left for Germany, Wenger had told Arsenal Player that this was the end of Phase One in pre-season training. But, with all due respect to the Malaysia XI and Hangzhou Greentown, the standard of opposition was about to step up.
Cologne had been happily mid-table in the Bundesliga for the past couple of seasons and boasted the mighty Lukas Podolski. Age just 26, the forward has already amassed an incredible 89 caps and 42 goals for his country.
Over 40,000 supporters were expected at the RheinEnergie Stadium this afternoon and all of them were silent pre-match in remembrance of the lives lost in Oslo the previous day.
With respect duly paid, the match got underway and after just three minutes Cologne had a chance. Podolski was bundled over just outside the area and Milivoje Novakovic curled the resulting free-kick inches above the bar.
But that was only the prelude to Arsenal taking the lead. In the seventh minute, Wilshere’s lofted pass allowed Gervinho to ghost inside Pedro Geromel and lift the ball over the advancing keeper.
A classy finish and, just maybe, the portent of goals to come.
This was a lively open game and, though Arsenal were the more incisive, Cologne were equally adventurous.
After 10 minutes Novakovic slipped a reverse ball to the unmarked Podolski, who dragged his shot across the goal of Wojciech Szczesny.
Then Thomas Vermaelen stole the ball in midfield and fed Gervinho on the left. The Belgian drove into the area and only the toe of Geromel stopped him converting from the Ivorian’s return ball.
Cologne were under the kosh and never truly cleared lines before they conceded a second goal in the 17th minute.
In truth, Wilshere’s pass should never have found Walcott on the right but Andrezinho allowed the ball to run under his foot. That said, the Englishman’s low, angled cross was wonderfully weighted and Gervinho stole in to clip the ball past Rensing.
The keeper got a knock for his trouble and was immediately replaced by Miro Varvodic.
Cologne had been rattled by the double blow and, though decent going forward, they were hesitant at the back.
It took Geromel and Youssef Mohamad to clear Walcott’s regulation cross into the box. Then the Englishman supplied another ball for Alex Song, whose cheeky, goalbound backheel was charged down.
On the half-hour, Gervinho went off. The second goal seemed to have taken another victim and so Ryo Miyaichi came on.
It did not affect the tide immediately. Soon afterwards Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey both had shots saved.
But, as half time approached, Cologne began creating chances. Szczesny saved from Adil Chihi and Novakovic had a drive blocked from Andrezinho’s clever knock down.
Then Ramsey’s quick free-kick fell into Cologne’s possession and Novakovic’s overhead kick was batted away by the keeper.
Despite the increasing confidence of the home side, the goal they grabbed in first-half injury time was hardly their own handywork. Jenkinson tried to clear a long punt forward but got it horribly wrong. The ball flew high into the air, over the head of the scrambling Szczesny and into the net.
Wenger made 10 changes at the break; only Kieran Gibbs stayed on. Andrey Arshavin went close with a couple of trademark piledrivers and, at the other end, keeper Vito Mannone snatched the ball of the toe of Podolski after Mato Jajalo’s scooped pass had given him a scent of a opening.
It was still a wonderfully open game and, buoyed by that freak goal, Cologne fancied an equaliser. Jajalo darted inside and Johan Djourou threw himself in to block from close range.
Tomas Rosicky’s drive stung the hands of Varvodic and, 13 minutes from time, Arshavin appeared to be clipped in the area.
The Russian then saw a shot batted away as Arsenal tried to secure the victory. But Cologne’s challenge now appeared to be flagging and the visitors held on with ease.
Despite the late injury to Conor Henderson that saw the Irishman stretchered off in the final second, this was a gratifying afternoon for Arsenal.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 23 Jul 11
Sunday, July 17, 2011
16 July 2011: Hangzhou Greentown 1-1 Arsenal, Meihu Stadium
Arsenal were held to a draw by Hangzhou Greentown as they completed their Asia Tour on Saturday night.
Sebastien Vasquez put the side from the Chinese Super League in front on the quarter-hour but Carlos Vela prodded the visitors level just before the break.
After a slow start, Arsène Wenger’s side had the better of the second half but spurned a number of chances, with Theo Walcott the main culprit.
Try as they might, they never found a winner but the result, of course, is pretty inconsequential. This Asian adventure has been about making friends as much as making goals. That is why they wore shirts with Chinese player names on the back this evening.
It also means the crowd figure - a healthy 20,583 - was just as important as the scoreline.
Arsenal have represented themselves well on this trip - on and off the pitch. When the final whistle blew this evening, they warmly thanked their supporters, as they have all week, and headed off to the airport.
The pre-season preparations will continue in more familiar surroundings from now on. But, as a result of their efforts in the past few days, many more people out here are familiar with the name of Arsenal Football Club.
The heavens opened in Yiwu a couple of hours before kick-off. Hangzhou were playing two hours outside their home city while their own ground was being renovated. However the Meihu Stadium was an open, modern venue and the pitch stood up well to the deluge.
Hangzhou are a fixture in the Chinese Super League after gaining promotion in 2006 and finished fourth in 2010. Their squad was primarily from the home country with a couple of Uruguayans and Hondurans thrown in.
As for Arsenal, it was the final day of a fruitful but taxing trip to Asia and freshness was clearly a factor in the team selection. The second half side in Malaysia began this evening and none would stay on after half time.
The best early chances went to the home side. In the fourth minute Vazquez bundled through but Vito Mannone saved with his legs. On the quarter-hour the Italian was beaten when Paulo Pezzolano evaded Johan Djourou’s challenge, opened his body and stroked a shot towards the far corner. Fortunately for Arsenal it bounced off the base of the post and the visitors scrambled the ball clear.
But the goal was close. In the 17th minute a free-kick bounced off Mannone’s chest and fell nicely for Vazquez to slot home from close range. It was a deserved lead.
Arsenal nearly replied immediately when Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri drove forward to set up Robin van Persie on the left. The Dutchman’s chip was too high for keeper Jiang Bo but too wide to find the net.
Just after the half-hour, the Russian clipped in a cross from the left and Van Persie cracked a spectacular effort over the bar.
It was an indication that Arsenal were settling into their rhythm. Hangzhou had bossed the first 15 minutes but the second quarter-hour had seen the Premier League side exert their experience.
Just before the break, substitute Wu Wei had to head Samir Nasri’s corner over his own crossbar to prevent Sebastian Squillaci heading home.
On the whistle, Arsenal did force the equaliser when Van Persie weaved his way into the Hangzhou area and, after his shot was parried, Vela tapped home the rebound.
Wenger changed his entire XI at the break and Arsenal were all the better for it. There was suddenly a purpose and drive behind their attacks. As a consequence they pushed back Hangzhou.
Just past the hour, Aaron Ramsey’s shot squirmed under the body of Gu Chao but the keeper’s block had been solid enough to divert the ball wide. The defence did the rest.
A couple of minutes later, Ryo Miyaichi laid the ball back for Kieran Gibbs to fire goalwards but Chao parried again.
Theo Walcott and Marouane Chamakh went close as Arsenal started to slice their way through the Hangzhou defence.
In the 70th minute, Gibbs and Jack Wilshere set up Walcott on the right. His first effort was blocked and his second flew over the bar.
The Englishman was starting to get on the end of all Arsenal’s chances but he could not convert. He has two efforts in quick succession - the first was tipped around the post by Chao, the second was drilled wide.
Five minutes from time, another chance fell to Walcott. Miyaichi burst to the byline and chipped the ball into the centre. The England international timed his run well but his header was high.
In the 88th minute, Chamakh saw another drive beaten away and Hangzhou nearly profited. Mao Jianqing raced down the left and his hanging cross was nodded just wide by Pezzolano.
Miyaichi had one last chance but the goal would not come.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 16 Jul 11
Sebastien Vasquez put the side from the Chinese Super League in front on the quarter-hour but Carlos Vela prodded the visitors level just before the break.
After a slow start, Arsène Wenger’s side had the better of the second half but spurned a number of chances, with Theo Walcott the main culprit.
Try as they might, they never found a winner but the result, of course, is pretty inconsequential. This Asian adventure has been about making friends as much as making goals. That is why they wore shirts with Chinese player names on the back this evening.
It also means the crowd figure - a healthy 20,583 - was just as important as the scoreline.
Arsenal have represented themselves well on this trip - on and off the pitch. When the final whistle blew this evening, they warmly thanked their supporters, as they have all week, and headed off to the airport.
The pre-season preparations will continue in more familiar surroundings from now on. But, as a result of their efforts in the past few days, many more people out here are familiar with the name of Arsenal Football Club.
The heavens opened in Yiwu a couple of hours before kick-off. Hangzhou were playing two hours outside their home city while their own ground was being renovated. However the Meihu Stadium was an open, modern venue and the pitch stood up well to the deluge.
Hangzhou are a fixture in the Chinese Super League after gaining promotion in 2006 and finished fourth in 2010. Their squad was primarily from the home country with a couple of Uruguayans and Hondurans thrown in.
As for Arsenal, it was the final day of a fruitful but taxing trip to Asia and freshness was clearly a factor in the team selection. The second half side in Malaysia began this evening and none would stay on after half time.
The best early chances went to the home side. In the fourth minute Vazquez bundled through but Vito Mannone saved with his legs. On the quarter-hour the Italian was beaten when Paulo Pezzolano evaded Johan Djourou’s challenge, opened his body and stroked a shot towards the far corner. Fortunately for Arsenal it bounced off the base of the post and the visitors scrambled the ball clear.
But the goal was close. In the 17th minute a free-kick bounced off Mannone’s chest and fell nicely for Vazquez to slot home from close range. It was a deserved lead.
Arsenal nearly replied immediately when Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri drove forward to set up Robin van Persie on the left. The Dutchman’s chip was too high for keeper Jiang Bo but too wide to find the net.
Just after the half-hour, the Russian clipped in a cross from the left and Van Persie cracked a spectacular effort over the bar.
It was an indication that Arsenal were settling into their rhythm. Hangzhou had bossed the first 15 minutes but the second quarter-hour had seen the Premier League side exert their experience.
Just before the break, substitute Wu Wei had to head Samir Nasri’s corner over his own crossbar to prevent Sebastian Squillaci heading home.
On the whistle, Arsenal did force the equaliser when Van Persie weaved his way into the Hangzhou area and, after his shot was parried, Vela tapped home the rebound.
Wenger changed his entire XI at the break and Arsenal were all the better for it. There was suddenly a purpose and drive behind their attacks. As a consequence they pushed back Hangzhou.
Just past the hour, Aaron Ramsey’s shot squirmed under the body of Gu Chao but the keeper’s block had been solid enough to divert the ball wide. The defence did the rest.
A couple of minutes later, Ryo Miyaichi laid the ball back for Kieran Gibbs to fire goalwards but Chao parried again.
Theo Walcott and Marouane Chamakh went close as Arsenal started to slice their way through the Hangzhou defence.
In the 70th minute, Gibbs and Jack Wilshere set up Walcott on the right. His first effort was blocked and his second flew over the bar.
The Englishman was starting to get on the end of all Arsenal’s chances but he could not convert. He has two efforts in quick succession - the first was tipped around the post by Chao, the second was drilled wide.
Five minutes from time, another chance fell to Walcott. Miyaichi burst to the byline and chipped the ball into the centre. The England international timed his run well but his header was high.
In the 88th minute, Chamakh saw another drive beaten away and Hangzhou nearly profited. Mao Jianqing raced down the left and his hanging cross was nodded just wide by Pezzolano.
Miyaichi had one last chance but the goal would not come.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 16 Jul 11
Thursday, July 14, 2011
13 July 2011: Malaysia XI 0-4 Arsenal, Bukit Jalil Stadium
Arsenal cruised to victory in the opening game of their Asia Tour on Wednesday night in front of a crowd approaching 70,000.
In the sweltering heat of Kuala Lumpur, a Malaysia XI found them simply too hot to handle.
Aaron Ramsey stroked home a penalty after five minutes and, eight minutes before the break Theo Walcott clipped home a second. Carlos Vela dinked in No 3 just after the restart.
Malaysia XI had carried a threat in the first half, mainly thanks to the pace of left winger Kunanlan Subramaniam. But they fell away as the game wore on. Tomas Rosicky even added a fourth at the death.
This was Arsenal’s first game in Malaysia since 1999. Back then Emmanuel Petit and Nicolas Anelka had secure a solid 2-0 victory.
The current crop leave for China on Thursday on the second leg of the Tour.
But, having seen them in the flesh, we can hope the Club have left a lasting legacy for the Malaysia people. From their fervent support it is clear they knew all about Arsenal before they arrived.
Hopefully this game will leave some happy memories once the team has gone.
The Bukit Jalil Stadium had erupted when the Arsenal team came out to warm-up. And the decibel levels went up 10 fold as the side emerged from the tunnel for the game.
Wearing the 125th anniversary away kit for the first time, Wenger’s XI side waved their ‘hellos’. After a week of welcome from this friendly country, they were very accustomed to the response they received.
The atmosphere was a heavy mixture of excitement, adulation and sweltering heat. In effect, the Malaysia XI was a squad from the national team. This was the first of three games against top quality Premier League opposition - Liverpool and Chelsea are due up soon - so head coach Datuk Rajagobal was managing his resources.
Mohd Safee Mohd Sali, the golden boy of Malaysia football, began on the bench. But playmaker and captain Safiq Rahim would be patrolling the midfield.
Wenger handed first Arsenal starts to Carl Jenkinson and Ryo Miyaichi. Kieran Gibbs was installed at left-back, a role his he is set to frequent following the departure of Gael Clichy.
The game had barely settled when Arsenal took the lead. In the fifth minute, Mohd Aidil Zafuan clipped Jack Wilshere as he darted down the left of the area. Ramsey was perhaps a surprising choice of penalty-taker but he was cool enough to send the keeper the wrong way.
Almost immediately it might have been 2-0 when Walcott popped up on the right but lifted his effort over the bar.
Malaysia attacks were sporadic - and mostly through the pacy Subramaniam. But any foray forward was greeted with rapturous applause. The crowd was 80 per cent Arsenal shirts but this was very much a national party.
Walcott’s pace continued to bother the home defence as did Ramsey’s movement and vision. When the two talents were combined, Arsenal were at their best.
Midway through the half, Marouane Chamakh fed Walcott on the edge of the area but the striker lost the ball at the vital moment.
Malaysia had peppered Wojciech Szczesny’s goal with long-range shots throughout so it was no surprise when Rahim tried his luck with a right wing free-kick. The tall Polish keeper stretched to tip it over but, in fairness, always had it covered.
The pace of Subramaniam was still the main weapon for Malaysia. However Jenkinson was handling him well. Chamakh drifted a header past the far post on the half-hour. In response, Ahmad Fakri Saarani tried to nod past Szczesny but the keeper blocked and the flag was up.
In the 37th minute Arsenal did grab that second. And, yet again, the Ramsey-Walcott axis worked. The Welshman sent an astute angled ball through to the sprinting Englishman. He lifted his shot over the keeper.
Seconds later, Walcott reached the byline and his searching cut back had to be hurriedly hacked clear. As the whistle approached, Arsenal were cruising. Perhaps it was the heat, perhaps it was a technical advantage but the visitors had taken control in the first 45 minutes without ever truly moving out of second gear.
Wenger made eight changes at the interval. Only Ramsey, Miyiachi and Jenkinson stayed on.
In the opening eight minutes both sides had a decent chance. Vela touched back Rosicky’s ball for Ramsey to race through and thunder his shot inches over the bar.
Shortly afterwards, Vito Mannone was penalised for holding on to the ball too long. Malaysia XI were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the area but the wall held firm from Rahim’s drive.
In the 57th minute, Arsenal’s quality told once again. Rosicky released Vela on the left of the area and, in typical style, the Mexican hoist a cheeky chip beyond the reach of the stranded keeper and into the far corner of the net.
With the job done, Wenger brought on two of his most experienced players - Robin van Persie and Bacary Sagna.
It was time for Arsenal to kick on. Vela should have made it four but, after collecting Johan Djourou’s pass and beating a couple of men, his shot hit a defender who had time to race back to the line.
Rosicky hacked over soon afterwards but made amends by grabbing the fourth in added time.
At the final whistle, the crowd erupted again and the team said their goodbyes.
As a game, this was average. As a spectacle, it was superb. If the Asia tour is about spreading the word of Arsenal, then this particular message was sent out loud and clear.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 13 Jul 11
In the sweltering heat of Kuala Lumpur, a Malaysia XI found them simply too hot to handle.
Aaron Ramsey stroked home a penalty after five minutes and, eight minutes before the break Theo Walcott clipped home a second. Carlos Vela dinked in No 3 just after the restart.
Malaysia XI had carried a threat in the first half, mainly thanks to the pace of left winger Kunanlan Subramaniam. But they fell away as the game wore on. Tomas Rosicky even added a fourth at the death.
This was Arsenal’s first game in Malaysia since 1999. Back then Emmanuel Petit and Nicolas Anelka had secure a solid 2-0 victory.
The current crop leave for China on Thursday on the second leg of the Tour.
But, having seen them in the flesh, we can hope the Club have left a lasting legacy for the Malaysia people. From their fervent support it is clear they knew all about Arsenal before they arrived.
Hopefully this game will leave some happy memories once the team has gone.
The Bukit Jalil Stadium had erupted when the Arsenal team came out to warm-up. And the decibel levels went up 10 fold as the side emerged from the tunnel for the game.
Wearing the 125th anniversary away kit for the first time, Wenger’s XI side waved their ‘hellos’. After a week of welcome from this friendly country, they were very accustomed to the response they received.
The atmosphere was a heavy mixture of excitement, adulation and sweltering heat. In effect, the Malaysia XI was a squad from the national team. This was the first of three games against top quality Premier League opposition - Liverpool and Chelsea are due up soon - so head coach Datuk Rajagobal was managing his resources.
Mohd Safee Mohd Sali, the golden boy of Malaysia football, began on the bench. But playmaker and captain Safiq Rahim would be patrolling the midfield.
Wenger handed first Arsenal starts to Carl Jenkinson and Ryo Miyaichi. Kieran Gibbs was installed at left-back, a role his he is set to frequent following the departure of Gael Clichy.
The game had barely settled when Arsenal took the lead. In the fifth minute, Mohd Aidil Zafuan clipped Jack Wilshere as he darted down the left of the area. Ramsey was perhaps a surprising choice of penalty-taker but he was cool enough to send the keeper the wrong way.
Almost immediately it might have been 2-0 when Walcott popped up on the right but lifted his effort over the bar.
Malaysia attacks were sporadic - and mostly through the pacy Subramaniam. But any foray forward was greeted with rapturous applause. The crowd was 80 per cent Arsenal shirts but this was very much a national party.
Walcott’s pace continued to bother the home defence as did Ramsey’s movement and vision. When the two talents were combined, Arsenal were at their best.
Midway through the half, Marouane Chamakh fed Walcott on the edge of the area but the striker lost the ball at the vital moment.
Malaysia had peppered Wojciech Szczesny’s goal with long-range shots throughout so it was no surprise when Rahim tried his luck with a right wing free-kick. The tall Polish keeper stretched to tip it over but, in fairness, always had it covered.
The pace of Subramaniam was still the main weapon for Malaysia. However Jenkinson was handling him well. Chamakh drifted a header past the far post on the half-hour. In response, Ahmad Fakri Saarani tried to nod past Szczesny but the keeper blocked and the flag was up.
In the 37th minute Arsenal did grab that second. And, yet again, the Ramsey-Walcott axis worked. The Welshman sent an astute angled ball through to the sprinting Englishman. He lifted his shot over the keeper.
Seconds later, Walcott reached the byline and his searching cut back had to be hurriedly hacked clear. As the whistle approached, Arsenal were cruising. Perhaps it was the heat, perhaps it was a technical advantage but the visitors had taken control in the first 45 minutes without ever truly moving out of second gear.
Wenger made eight changes at the interval. Only Ramsey, Miyiachi and Jenkinson stayed on.
In the opening eight minutes both sides had a decent chance. Vela touched back Rosicky’s ball for Ramsey to race through and thunder his shot inches over the bar.
Shortly afterwards, Vito Mannone was penalised for holding on to the ball too long. Malaysia XI were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the area but the wall held firm from Rahim’s drive.
In the 57th minute, Arsenal’s quality told once again. Rosicky released Vela on the left of the area and, in typical style, the Mexican hoist a cheeky chip beyond the reach of the stranded keeper and into the far corner of the net.
With the job done, Wenger brought on two of his most experienced players - Robin van Persie and Bacary Sagna.
It was time for Arsenal to kick on. Vela should have made it four but, after collecting Johan Djourou’s pass and beating a couple of men, his shot hit a defender who had time to race back to the line.
Rosicky hacked over soon afterwards but made amends by grabbing the fourth in added time.
At the final whistle, the crowd erupted again and the team said their goodbyes.
As a game, this was average. As a spectacle, it was superb. If the Asia tour is about spreading the word of Arsenal, then this particular message was sent out loud and clear.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 13 Jul 11
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Arsenal announces pre-season game in Malaysia
Arsène Wenger’s side take on a Malaysia XI at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, July 13, kick off 8.45pm local time. This game will be the first leg of Arsenal's Asian Tour. Details of the second leg will be announced on Wednesday.
Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis said: “Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is excited to be visiting Malaysia.
“The Club has a tradition of playing there going back to the 1960s. This will be our fourth visit to Malaysia, having last visited Kuala Lumpur in 1999."
"We enjoy huge support in Asia and this will help bring the Club closer to our fans out there.”
HRH Prince Tengku Mahkota of Pahang added: "It is an honour for Malaysia to host Arsenal, I don't think any other national teams get such opportunity. This is a rare opportunity for our Malaysian national team as they prepare for the Olympics and ahead of the World Cup."
Check Arsenal.com in the near future for ticket details, travel options and news about that second leg.
In addition, Arsenal has already confirmed the details for Emirates Cup 2011, which is being played at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31.
Emirates Cup 2011 will see Arsenal joined by MLS side New York Red Bulls, who currently boast Gunners’ legend Thierry Henry in their ranks, leading French club Paris Saint-Germain and Club Atlético Boca Juniors - the most successful Argentine and South American club of all time.
Source: Arsenal.com on 24 May 11
Monday, August 2, 2010
27 July 2010: SC Neusiedl 1919 0-4 Arsenal, Sportzentrum Neusiedl
Theo Walcott and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas gave the visitors a 2-0 cushion in the first period. The Moroccan's moment came five minutes after he had come on as a half-time substitute. He burst through only to be pushed over by Markus Dombi. Chamakh picked himself up to slot home adroitly from the spot.
Shortly afterwards, another substitute, Carlos Vela, produced the coolest of chips to make it 4-0.
Neusiedl may play in the third tier of Austrian football but they had their moments. None greater than the one presented to them seconds later Harvard Nordtveit was adjudged to have handled.
However Juray Skripec could not beat Vito Mannone from 12 yards.
To be frank this was never a contest once Arsenal shook off some early lethargy. That two-goal first-half burst allowed them to move from second gear straight into cruise control.
But with Milan, Celtic and Legia Warsaw on the horizon, the tests will get tougher from now on.
The party had started at Neusiedl's compact Sportszentrum ground in the early afternoon. A couple of schoolboy games took centre stage as the crowd arrived. By the time Arsenal kicked off at 7pm local time the main stand was rammed and the grass bank behind Manuel Almunia's goal was an old-style sea of heads.
Wenger's starting XI was drawn from the squad that had beaten Barnet and Sturm Graz in the opening two games. However the Frenchman did select a trio of his countrymen - Abou Diaby, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna - on the bench for the first time. They were joined two newly-introduced Africans, Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song. All five had been on duty at the World Cup, hence they had started pre-season training and the friendly matches after the main group.
The opening quarter of an hour was pedestrian. Jack Wilshere had a shout for a penalty, Andrey Arshavin curled a shot into the arms of keeper Adolf Kaiser and Emmanuel-Thomas showed fine feet in the area but could not follow it up with a shot to match.
Neusiedl's opening chance would be much more clear-cut. In the 16th minute, Michael Koller swung over a corner from the right and skipper Dombi stooped at the near post to thunder in a header. Nasri booted the ball off the line.
It took Arsenal a further 10 minutes to respond. Arshavin's angled shot bounced off Kaiser's shoulder and eventually fell to Walcott at the far post. He cut inside his marker but saw his shot blocked.
However, couple of minutes later Walcott would open the scoring - and from virtually the same spot. Arsenal worked the ball up the left once more. Emmanuel-Thomas found Nasri, who fed the England winger. He arrowed his effort home.
On the half hour Walcott beat the keeper once again but his lob drifted wide.
By now Arsenal had found their groove. Second later, Gibbs cut the ball back for Emmanuel-Thomas to turn swiftly before cracking home a second.
Five minutes after the restart it was 3-0 when Chamakh made his mark.
By now Arsenal were in the zone. In the 65th minute, Nasri's clever touch sent substitute Vela through and the Mexican lifted the ball over the stranded keeper.
However seconds later Neusiedl had the chance to reduce the arrears when Dominik Silberbauer's header was handled by Nordtveit. Skripec stepped up to try and make a little piece of personal history.
However Mannone dived to his left to make a fine stop.
The game petered out after that. Neusiedl were not going to get a better chance and Arsenal had used up their creativity for the night.
After the game, Wenger's men left for England with their season's preparation well on track.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 27 Jul 10
21 July 2010: SK Sturm Graz 0-3 Arsenal, UPC-Arena, Graz
The Frenchman thundered home an angled drive after 16 minutes to give Arsène Wenger's side the lead. Then, two minutes from the break, Nasri curled home a wonderful free-kick in to the top left-hand corner of the net to give the visitors a lead they were unlikely to let ever slip.
Substitute Henri Lansbury added a third 12 minutes after the restart.
That ended the contest. Arsenal cruised home to complete another comprehensive, straightforward victory.
To be honest, this was standard fare but only because the visitors made it that way. They barely got out of third gear but were efficient and ruthless when they had to be. Graz just could not cope.
It was just about the perfect performance to start the ‘testing ground' phase of the campaign.
Thus far, Arsenal's pre-season preparations had gone entirely to plan. Win at Barnet - check, travel to the Austrian countryside amid a heatwave - check, get in a couple of sweltering training sessions under their belt before starting the friendlies - check.
However this was a significant step up in standard from that overwhelming win at Underhill on Saturday. Last season Graz had won the Austrian Cup, got to the group stages of the Europa League and finished fourth in their Bundasliga.
But more importantly, they had started their domestic campaign at the weekend with a 3-0 win over SV Reid. In short, their preparations for the season were complete, Arsenal's had barely begun.
Wenger chose exactly the same squad as Saturday barring the omissions of Manuel Almunia and Conor Henderson.
Emmanuel Frimpong and Jack Wilshere made for a youthful starting pair in central midfield, allowing Nasri to push forward through the centre in support of Marouane Chamakh. Thomas Vermaelen was named as captain for the first time in his Arsenal career.
There was little to report in the opening 15 minutes. It was all very pre-season. Arsenal were decent enough with Wilshere and Nasri catching the eye. Graz were organised enough but never incisive.
The first piece of real quality would bring the opening goal.
In the 16th minute, Nasri's angled ball gave Chamakh a glimpse of goal on the edge of the area. However the Moroccan was dispossessed and the ball bounced back into the path of the onrushing Frenchman. He expertly prodded it away from his marker before rifling home a left-foot shot from just outside the area. A lovely finish from a player who is having a pre-season of promise - and more was to come.
The same two players nearly made it 2-0 a couple of minutes later. Nasri fired over a corner from the left and Chamakh beat Graz keeper Silvije Cavlina in the air. Fortunately for the home side Thomas Burgstaller hooked the ball off the line.
Graz were still neat and tidy but offering little going forward. When, in the 26th minute, a Florian Kainz free-kick was nodded into Fabianski's hands by the stooping Marvin Weinberger it drew a ripple of applause from the home crowd.
They had had little else to cheer.
However, after the half-hour, they did create a couple of clear-cut chances in quick succession. Vermaelen's pass was intercepted by Weinberger on the halfway line. He fed Imre Sazbics and raced clear onto the return pass. Fabianski bided his time, stood tall and made a fine one-on-one save with his legs.
Graz played short from the resulting corner and Szabics nodded over at the near post when he should have scored.
However Arsenal would quickly strangle the Graz response.
Two minutes from half-time, they won a free-kick just outside the home side's penalty area. Nasri stepped up before curling a gorgeous free-kick beyond Cavlina and into the top corner. Think Thierry Henry against Roma in 2002 and you have got the idea.
Wenger made seven changes at the break. But it was Graz who carved out the early chances.
Burgstaller nodded tamely into the hands of substitute keeper Wojciech Szczesny at the far post when he might have done better. Then the experienced Mario Haas seemed set to pull the trigger from 12 yards but could only fire blankly at the Pole.
As at the end of the first half, they would be made to pay. In the 55th minute, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas cut in from the right and, as Wilshere pulled the defender towards the near post, Lansbury was waiting at the far stick.
He kept his cool, foxed the keeper and fired home.
Lansbury and Emmanuel-Thomas both tried their luck from distance in minutes that followed. It was an indication of their comfort.
The latter nearly danced through the Graz danced shortly afterwards only for Walcott to fire into the sidenetting.
Rosicky, Emmanuel-Thomas and Traore all threatened midway through the half. With 10 minutes left Vermaelen nodded over from point blank range. Graz seemed to have given up the ghost.
The game meandered to a conclusion and the final whistle was a relief for both side. Arsenal had done their work well while Graz had been well beaten - and that is the way it had been for the final half-hour.
Still it is all valuable practice time for Wenger and his backroom staff.
At the final whistle Arsenal's pre-season record read like this - Played 180 minutes, Won 2, Scored 7, Conceded 0.
That will do perfectly well for now.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 21 Jul 10
17 July 2010: Barnet 0-4 Arsenal, Underhill Stadium
The tone was set after just 90 seconds when Andrey Arshavin waltzed round home keeper Jake Cole before tapping home. Jay Simpson added two more before the break as the visitors dominated.
Laurent Koscielny made his debut in the opening period while Arsène Wenger's other new signing, Marouane Chamakh, made his bow in the second half as the manager changed his entire XI.
The alterations made Arsenal less potent as an attacking force. Samir Nasri capitalised on a defensive error to grab a fourth in the 75th minute.
That was the last hoorah in a game that had long since petered out.
This was a decent run-out for both sides but it was not much of a contest. As curtain-raisers go, it did its job.
Bearing in mind that Arsenal's World Cup stars have not yet returned to training, Wenger put out the strongest squad at his disposal this afternoon. Andrey Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky, Thomas Vermaelen and Jack Wilshere started the first half. Nasri, Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs were on show after the break. Although Manuel Almunia and Eduardo were named in the original 22, they were replaced on the day by Simpson and Wojciech Szczesny.
Barnet's Underhill ground has hosted Arsenal's first friendly for most of the Wenger era. It is always jam-packed, lively and sprinkled with talking points. Today was no exception.
The status quo would also be maintained in terms of the scoreline this afternoon. Barnet's best result in this fixture has been a couple of goalless draws. Today that was never an option.
In fact, it took less than two minutes for Arsenal to take the lead.
Arshavin darted in from the left and found Rosicky just outside the area. The pair then played a neat one-two in the tightest of spaces to send the Russian clear. He took his time, fooled the keeper and tapped home.
It was a ‘settling' goal and, as a result, Arsenal oozed confidence for the remainder of the half. Three minutes later, Emmanuel-Thomas cut in from the right and stung the hands of Barnet keeper Jake Cole with a rasping shot from distance.
Arsenal's control was complete. They grabbed their second goal in the 16th minute and, up to that point, Barnet still not mustered an attack worthy of the name.
The home defence afforded Jack Wilshere the luxury of time and space on the right of the area. A fatal mistake. He chose to find Simpson eight yards out, who slotted home with simplicity.
Shortly afterwards Vermaelen saw his shot booted off the line and, in the 35th minute, Wilshere hacked an effort wide from just outside the area.
Three minutes from the break, Arshavin teased his way into the area before curling a shot on to the bar with Cole beaten.
However, Arsenal would get a third before the whistle. The ball fell enticingly for Barnet midfielder Mark Byrne just outside the area but he could only produce an airshot. The ball eventually found its way to Arshavin, who broke quickly before feeding Wilshere in the left-hand channel.
His cross was low, immediate and straight to the feet of the unmarked Simpson at the far post. His tap-in was straightforward.
Wenger changed his entire team at the break. It made little difference to the tide of the game. In the opening minutes, Walcott burst through and his clip forced a fine save from Cole. A couple of minutes later Nacer Barazite tested the keeper once again.
Walcott went close once more on the hour but, in truth the sting had left the game. Just to prove the point, Arsenal took until the 75th minute to get their fourth and even that was handed to them. Barnet centre half Daniel Leach failed to control a lofted backpass on the edge of the area. Samir Nasri stole in, steadied himself and slotted home.
Byline crosses from Walcott on the right and Conor Henderson on the left threatened to provide a fifth. But there was never anyone on the end of them.
When the final whistle went, the game had been entertaining but, at the same time, far from even.
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 17 Jul 10
Gunners begin their pre-season at Barnet
After a World Cup that will be better remembered for the achievements of the organisers than by the performances of the players who participated in it, we can finally begin to look forward again to the new domestic season. Arsenal began their preparations today with their now-traditional leg-stretch and pipe-opener at Barnet.
On a sunny afternoon, where North London meets Hertfordshire, Arsene Wenger gave pretty much everyone who wasn’t involved in the World Cup a run out. The most notable absentee who didn’t spend the summer in South Africa was Eduardo and there were whispers around the stadium of a possible imminent deal that would see him leave Arsenal for Shakhtar Donetsk.
As you might expect from the very first pre-season outing, the game itself was nothing to write home about. The Gunners ran out easy 4-0 winners with most of the damage being done by the first half line-up. Andrey Arshavin grabbed the first when he put the finishing touch to an extensive passing move in the second minute. In the remainder of the half Jay Simpson converted two Jack Wilshere assists to make it 3-0 at the break.
The second forty-five minutes saw an entirely new eleven players and was a more muted half. Samir Nasri helped himself to a goal when one of the Barnet defenders stood on the ball leaving the Frenchman with only the goalkeeper to beat - which he did with aplomb.
Other observations from the day:
The team looked magnificent in their new kit. At last, a return to a proper Arsenal kit with proper white sleeves. We can go into next season with opponents knowing they are facing Arsenal Football Club instead of wondering if Charlton Athletic had turned up by mistake.
The summer’s two new signings made their first public appearances this afternoon. It is impossible to pass judgement on them at a game like this but early impressions are that Marouane Chamakh showed signs of playing very much like a classic English centre-forward. He is tall, played a lot of the time with his back to goal and looked adept at bringing others into the game. Not much came his way in terms of chances so there wasn't much to go on in terms of knowing what his finishing is like. He did look a little heavy-legged but he is bound to be short of fitness at this point in time.
Laurent Koscielny didn’t have much to do defensively during his first-half appearance. Most notable though was the slightness of his physical build. He is virtually the same height as Thomas Vermaelen - who is not exactly the tallest - but looks nowhere near as muscular and strong as the Belgian. Whether Arsene Wenger sees him as Vermaelen’s first-choice partner remains to be seen but, from today’s evidence, the manager ought to still be looking to add some genuine height to the middle of his back four.
Of the youngsters that turned out, most eyes were on Jack Wilshere. He had a patchy 45 minutes but did do some good things and his two assists for Jay Simpson showed composure and accuracy. The most impressive of the Young Guns on display though was Emmanuel Frimpong. His performance as the anchor in midfield was a major contribution to Arsenal’s dominance during the first period. Even at this early stage of the season, he showed tenacity, competitiveness and made more tackles than any other player all afternoon. He is built like a tank and those who have watched him come through the youth team ranks already know about his physical presence and strength but they also know he can play too. If Arsene Wenger was looking to mould a young player to be a successor to (or even competition for) Alex Song in the role of midfield enforcer, then Frimpong looks the most likely candidate to make that step up from within the youth ranks. Time will tell as to whether that will happen this season or next.
So, Arsene Wenger takes his squad off to their Austrian training camp on Monday night and the business of preparing for the new season starts in earnest. There is still much talk about potential new signings and it is hard to believe that there won’t be more new additions before the big kick-off in August. However, the one thing Arsenal supporters want to definitively know before then is whether Cesc Fabregas will be captaining the team next season.
The Gunners have maintained a dignified silence on this matter over the weeks of the World Cup. Their position is crystal-clear - Arsenal want Fabregas to stay and he is not for sale at any price. It is a shame that Barcelona are not hearing that and their players have not been able to keep their mouths shut. Carrying on where they left off at the end of last season, throughout the World Cup, all we have heard is Barca players talking about Cesc and his DNA. On and on and on and on they have droned all summer long, culminating in the grotesque spectacle of Puyol and Pique pulling a Barcelona shirt over Fabregas’s head at Spain’s victory parade.
Reams have been written online and in the media about the way Barcelona, their players and the Spanish press have acted with regard to trying to sign Cesc. It has been sordid, classless and is nothing more than tapping up by proxy. Arsenal fans ought to be proud of the way our club has conducted themselves through this onslaught. The club might have risen above it but feelings of Arsenal fans were perfectly summed up by a banner erected at the north end of Barnet’s ground today: “Barca, F**k You”.
All that said, no matter how much Arsenal might not want to sell him and however much Xavi, Puyol et al might keep talking to the press, only one man has the answer to how all this is going to turn out - and that is Cesc himself. Ultimately, if he wants to leave then, despite his contract, there will not be much Arsenal can do except try to take Barcelona for every Euro they have got - or rather, every Euro they can borrow at the moment. (If he says at Arsenal, at least he knows he will get paid at the end of every month.)
Following the Barnet match Arsene Wenger said that all the speculation about Fabregas needs to stop. The only way it will stop is if Cesc comes out and states his intentions clearly as to whether he is staying or going. And the sooner that happens the better. If Arsenal have to plan a future without him, then he ought to extend them the courtesy of giving as much notice as possible of that. Better though, would be for him to tell Barcelona, “thanks but no thanks” and commit himself to the Gunners for next season. Either way, absolute clarity on this matter is needed soon.
It’s make your mind up time, Cesc.
Source: David Young, ESPN Soccernet on 18 Jul 10
On a sunny afternoon, where North London meets Hertfordshire, Arsene Wenger gave pretty much everyone who wasn’t involved in the World Cup a run out. The most notable absentee who didn’t spend the summer in South Africa was Eduardo and there were whispers around the stadium of a possible imminent deal that would see him leave Arsenal for Shakhtar Donetsk.
As you might expect from the very first pre-season outing, the game itself was nothing to write home about. The Gunners ran out easy 4-0 winners with most of the damage being done by the first half line-up. Andrey Arshavin grabbed the first when he put the finishing touch to an extensive passing move in the second minute. In the remainder of the half Jay Simpson converted two Jack Wilshere assists to make it 3-0 at the break.
The second forty-five minutes saw an entirely new eleven players and was a more muted half. Samir Nasri helped himself to a goal when one of the Barnet defenders stood on the ball leaving the Frenchman with only the goalkeeper to beat - which he did with aplomb.
Other observations from the day:
The team looked magnificent in their new kit. At last, a return to a proper Arsenal kit with proper white sleeves. We can go into next season with opponents knowing they are facing Arsenal Football Club instead of wondering if Charlton Athletic had turned up by mistake.
The summer’s two new signings made their first public appearances this afternoon. It is impossible to pass judgement on them at a game like this but early impressions are that Marouane Chamakh showed signs of playing very much like a classic English centre-forward. He is tall, played a lot of the time with his back to goal and looked adept at bringing others into the game. Not much came his way in terms of chances so there wasn't much to go on in terms of knowing what his finishing is like. He did look a little heavy-legged but he is bound to be short of fitness at this point in time.
Laurent Koscielny didn’t have much to do defensively during his first-half appearance. Most notable though was the slightness of his physical build. He is virtually the same height as Thomas Vermaelen - who is not exactly the tallest - but looks nowhere near as muscular and strong as the Belgian. Whether Arsene Wenger sees him as Vermaelen’s first-choice partner remains to be seen but, from today’s evidence, the manager ought to still be looking to add some genuine height to the middle of his back four.
Of the youngsters that turned out, most eyes were on Jack Wilshere. He had a patchy 45 minutes but did do some good things and his two assists for Jay Simpson showed composure and accuracy. The most impressive of the Young Guns on display though was Emmanuel Frimpong. His performance as the anchor in midfield was a major contribution to Arsenal’s dominance during the first period. Even at this early stage of the season, he showed tenacity, competitiveness and made more tackles than any other player all afternoon. He is built like a tank and those who have watched him come through the youth team ranks already know about his physical presence and strength but they also know he can play too. If Arsene Wenger was looking to mould a young player to be a successor to (or even competition for) Alex Song in the role of midfield enforcer, then Frimpong looks the most likely candidate to make that step up from within the youth ranks. Time will tell as to whether that will happen this season or next.
So, Arsene Wenger takes his squad off to their Austrian training camp on Monday night and the business of preparing for the new season starts in earnest. There is still much talk about potential new signings and it is hard to believe that there won’t be more new additions before the big kick-off in August. However, the one thing Arsenal supporters want to definitively know before then is whether Cesc Fabregas will be captaining the team next season.
The Gunners have maintained a dignified silence on this matter over the weeks of the World Cup. Their position is crystal-clear - Arsenal want Fabregas to stay and he is not for sale at any price. It is a shame that Barcelona are not hearing that and their players have not been able to keep their mouths shut. Carrying on where they left off at the end of last season, throughout the World Cup, all we have heard is Barca players talking about Cesc and his DNA. On and on and on and on they have droned all summer long, culminating in the grotesque spectacle of Puyol and Pique pulling a Barcelona shirt over Fabregas’s head at Spain’s victory parade.
Reams have been written online and in the media about the way Barcelona, their players and the Spanish press have acted with regard to trying to sign Cesc. It has been sordid, classless and is nothing more than tapping up by proxy. Arsenal fans ought to be proud of the way our club has conducted themselves through this onslaught. The club might have risen above it but feelings of Arsenal fans were perfectly summed up by a banner erected at the north end of Barnet’s ground today: “Barca, F**k You”.
All that said, no matter how much Arsenal might not want to sell him and however much Xavi, Puyol et al might keep talking to the press, only one man has the answer to how all this is going to turn out - and that is Cesc himself. Ultimately, if he wants to leave then, despite his contract, there will not be much Arsenal can do except try to take Barcelona for every Euro they have got - or rather, every Euro they can borrow at the moment. (If he says at Arsenal, at least he knows he will get paid at the end of every month.)
Following the Barnet match Arsene Wenger said that all the speculation about Fabregas needs to stop. The only way it will stop is if Cesc comes out and states his intentions clearly as to whether he is staying or going. And the sooner that happens the better. If Arsenal have to plan a future without him, then he ought to extend them the courtesy of giving as much notice as possible of that. Better though, would be for him to tell Barcelona, “thanks but no thanks” and commit himself to the Gunners for next season. Either way, absolute clarity on this matter is needed soon.
It’s make your mind up time, Cesc.
Source: David Young, ESPN Soccernet on 18 Jul 10
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