‘Gunners claim Amsterdam Tournament’
‘Ajax 0 – 1 Arsenal – Amsterdam Tournament – 4th August 2007
Arsenal completed a hat trick of English wins in the Amsterdam Tournament with a battling victory over the hosts in the Dutch capital. It was almost fate that the goalscorer was not only a former Feyenoord player but Arsenal’s main man as far as hitting the back of the net this season, Robin Van Persie.
The game presented Arsene Wenger with his final opportunity of the pre season program to put his side through their paces and with the first game of the season less than a week away he went into the game fielding a strong side. Unfortunately for the Frenchman his talismanic midfielder Cesc Fabregas missed the game with a virus but it enabled him once more to partner Alexander Hleb with Robin Van Persie in the final third as well as play his first choice backline of Sagna, Clichy, Gallas and Toure.
The game started at a far more frenetic pace than the first round of matches played on Thursday night. With both sides looking to prepare for their Champions League qualifying campaigns the equally technically gifted teams looked to dominate by taking a grip on midfield.
Arsenal started the better of the two teams but faded once Ajax made a tactical change midway through the first period. The Gunners passing of it’s usual quality with Ajax unable to do much than hold the Gunners at bay and wait for their opportunity to counter. The first and most notable chances fell to the Premiership side who were denied by an excellent reflex save from Stekelenburg. From Van Persie free kick, Toure was unable to beat the goalkeeper from six yards.
Van Persie flash a free kick just wide before losing his marker before being clipped on his way to goal. The cynical and most definitely deliberate tactic by Maduro angered Van Persie who seconds later way booked for an equally bad challenge. The game began to become a little spicier with Eboue also finding his way into the referee's notebook.
Despite their domination in possession, Toure’s opportunity was all Arsenal had in the way of chances before Ajax began to dominate, switching to a 3-5-2 Ajax’s extra man in midfield soon began to count as substitute Rommedahl found space but was unable to hit the target with a powerful drive. Maduro also had an effort which just dipped over Lehman’s cross bar and moments later the German goalkeeper was called into action for the first time making an excellent save from a Sneijder free kick.
In the second half Arsenal again started dominantly but this time kept up their control. Straight from the off the Gunners created a chance through Van Persie and the introduction of Da Silva only increased the pressure on their hosts. In a brief lull of Arsenal possession Ajax came close to scoring with another excellent set piece from Sneijder and hit the crossbar through Huntelaar.
The Ajax once again troubled Arsenal in the air later in the half but was denied by an excellent parry from Lehman. The Gunners regained their domination but began to lose their composure as the half wore on. A bad tackle on Denilson soon sparked an unnecessary pushing match and a personal battle between Vermaelen and Van Persie almost boiled over when the Dutchman claimed his opponent had used an elbow during an aerial challenge.
With the game now becoming end to end due to tired legs, gaps began to appear in both defences but whilst the partnership of Gallas and Toure held firm Ajax’s inexperienced backline began to crack which presented several chances for the Gunners. Van Persie should have done better with a left footed shot from twelve yards followed by a perfect example of Arsenal’s lack of clinicality in the box. Whilst three players passed up the opportunity to find the net, Arsene Wenger became increasingly animated on the bench as the tackles once again started to fly in.
Moments after feeling the full brunt of a dangerous challenge full back Gael Clichy provided Arsenal with exactly the kind of opportunity they needed to win the game. A bursting run the full length of the pitch from the French defender ended with him steering the ball into the path of Van Persie who after a touch from his left foot smashed the ball home with his weaker right.
As the game drew to a close Arsenal’s talisman was rashly tackled and forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher but to the relief of travelling supporters he returned to the pitch to help celebrate winning the prestigious tournament as for the second time in a week William Gallas hoisted the a trophy high to the delight of fans.
The game started at a far more frenetic pace than the first round of matches played on Thursday night. With both sides looking to prepare for their Champions League qualifying campaigns the equally technically gifted teams looked to dominate by taking a grip on midfield.
Arsenal started the better of the two teams but faded once Ajax made a tactical change midway through the first period. The Gunners passing of it’s usual quality with Ajax unable to do much than hold the Gunners at bay and wait for their opportunity to counter. The first and most notable chances fell to the Premiership side who were denied by an excellent reflex save from Stekelenburg. From Van Persie free kick, Toure was unable to beat the goalkeeper from six yards.
Van Persie flash a free kick just wide before losing his marker before being clipped on his way to goal. The cynical and most definitely deliberate tactic by Maduro angered Van Persie who seconds later way booked for an equally bad challenge. The game began to become a little spicier with Eboue also finding his way into the referee's notebook.
Despite their domination in possession, Toure’s opportunity was all Arsenal had in the way of chances before Ajax began to dominate, switching to a 3-5-2 Ajax’s extra man in midfield soon began to count as substitute Rommedahl found space but was unable to hit the target with a powerful drive. Maduro also had an effort which just dipped over Lehman’s cross bar and moments later the German goalkeeper was called into action for the first time making an excellent save from a Sneijder free kick.
In the second half Arsenal again started dominantly but this time kept up their control. Straight from the off the Gunners created a chance through Van Persie and the introduction of Da Silva only increased the pressure on their hosts. In a brief lull of Arsenal possession Ajax came close to scoring with another excellent set piece from Sneijder and hit the crossbar through Huntelaar.
The Ajax once again troubled Arsenal in the air later in the half but was denied by an excellent parry from Lehman. The Gunners regained their domination but began to lose their composure as the half wore on. A bad tackle on Denilson soon sparked an unnecessary pushing match and a personal battle between Vermaelen and Van Persie almost boiled over when the Dutchman claimed his opponent had used an elbow during an aerial challenge.
With the game now becoming end to end due to tired legs, gaps began to appear in both defences but whilst the partnership of Gallas and Toure held firm Ajax’s inexperienced backline began to crack which presented several chances for the Gunners. Van Persie should have done better with a left footed shot from twelve yards followed by a perfect example of Arsenal’s lack of clinicality in the box. Whilst three players passed up the opportunity to find the net, Arsene Wenger became increasingly animated on the bench as the tackles once again started to fly in.
Moments after feeling the full brunt of a dangerous challenge full back Gael Clichy provided Arsenal with exactly the kind of opportunity they needed to win the game. A bursting run the full length of the pitch from the French defender ended with him steering the ball into the path of Van Persie who after a touch from his left foot smashed the ball home with his weaker right.
As the game drew to a close Arsenal’s talisman was rashly tackled and forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher but to the relief of travelling supporters he returned to the pitch to help celebrate winning the prestigious tournament as for the second time in a week William Gallas hoisted the a trophy high to the delight of fans.