‘Arsenal wrap up Emirates Trophy with impressive comeback win’
Arsenal 2 – 1 Inter Milan – Emirates Cup – 29th July
A superb goal from Robin Van Persie capped an excellent performance by Arsenal as the Gunners came from behind to claim the Emirates Cup.
Inter took the lead through David Suazo as Arsenal suffered yet more home misery despite dominating the game. But thanks to a goal from midfielder Alex Hleb and a piece of Van Persie magic Arsene Wenger’s men head into Thursday’s Amsterdam Tournament on a high.
Despite an extremely young group of players representing them in the final game of the two day Emirates tournament, Arsenal’s players showed themselves to be extremely capable of mounting a Championship challenge next season. Making several changes to their team from the PSG game, Jens Lehman returned to the side along with William Gallas. The addition of two experienced players seemed to somewhat compensate for Arsenal’s inexperience which was no greater than in seventeen year old Kieran Gibbs who made his debut on the left of midfield.
PSG’s victory left Arsenal knowing that they needed a high scoring draw or any kind of victory to pick up the first ever Emirates Cup in front of their 60,000 home supporters.
During the first period however Arsenal experienced several of the problems they undertook in their first season at their brand new stadium. Despite claiming much of the possession Arsenal created little in the way of chances and it was Inter who came closest to scoring with a Chivu free kick early on.
Gibbs looked lively in the first period and despite having little in the way of end product the major threat came from Eboue down the right who on three separate runs drew three threatening free kicks. From open play the closest they came was through midfielder Flamini, who when laid off by Gibbs hit his shot straight at Toldo.
Van Persie playing a solo role up front found it difficult to create anything for him self in the early going but had a shot saved by Toldo towards the end of the first forty five minutes and the Dutchman also had two free kicks saved by the Italian goalkeeper as Arsenal continued to threaten. Nine minutes before the break Sagna had his first Arsenal shot saved before Van Persie was fractionally just off target with another threatening free kick.
The second half began with Arsene Wenger looking to perceiver with the same side which began the first period believing that it would only be a matter of time before his side scored. Van Persie still looked the man most likely and the Gunners failed to be awarded an obvious penalty when their danger man was crudely chopped down Walter Samuel before he could get a shot away. The referee refused the award however and moments later Arsenal were made to pay when Suazo stole in ahead of Kolo Toure to give his side an undeserved 1-0 lead.
Aided by a post the forwards header was excellently directed and left Lehman with no chance.
Arsenal got their heads up and refused to give the game up and equalized almost immediately. Eboue once again broke down the right hand side and teed up Hleb. The Belarusian’s first shot was saved excellently but on the rebound the midfielder found the net to give Arsenal hope of claiming all three points.
In the final ten minutes of the game Hleb continued to pose the greatest threat and once again his excellent dribbling skills led to an Arsenal chance. Despite being dispossessed just outside the area his determination created a chance for William Gallas who just missed the post with a side footed effort.
Inter Milan had no response to the continued Arsenal pressure and it was only a matter of time before the winner came. Once again showing their resilience to come from behind in a home game, Eboue and Sagna worked well down the right before giving possession to the Dutchman Van Persie. Cutting inside on his left foot Van Persie fooled his marker by dragging the ball with the sole of his boot before lashing a shot past Toldo with his weaker right foot.
The goal was very much deserved as Arsenal had dominated throughout and was a confidence boost for the team who had to do without the Dutchman for much of last season. As the final whistle went Arsenal celebrated victory and two wins out of two in their latest pre season matches and as Gallas hoisted the trophy up high into the afternoon sunshine Arsenal’s young players celebrated potentially their first cup of many.
Despite an extremely young group of players representing them in the final game of the two day Emirates tournament, Arsenal’s players showed themselves to be extremely capable of mounting a Championship challenge next season. Making several changes to their team from the PSG game, Jens Lehman returned to the side along with William Gallas. The addition of two experienced players seemed to somewhat compensate for Arsenal’s inexperience which was no greater than in seventeen year old Kieran Gibbs who made his debut on the left of midfield.
PSG’s victory left Arsenal knowing that they needed a high scoring draw or any kind of victory to pick up the first ever Emirates Cup in front of their 60,000 home supporters.
During the first period however Arsenal experienced several of the problems they undertook in their first season at their brand new stadium. Despite claiming much of the possession Arsenal created little in the way of chances and it was Inter who came closest to scoring with a Chivu free kick early on.
Gibbs looked lively in the first period and despite having little in the way of end product the major threat came from Eboue down the right who on three separate runs drew three threatening free kicks. From open play the closest they came was through midfielder Flamini, who when laid off by Gibbs hit his shot straight at Toldo.
Van Persie playing a solo role up front found it difficult to create anything for him self in the early going but had a shot saved by Toldo towards the end of the first forty five minutes and the Dutchman also had two free kicks saved by the Italian goalkeeper as Arsenal continued to threaten. Nine minutes before the break Sagna had his first Arsenal shot saved before Van Persie was fractionally just off target with another threatening free kick.
The second half began with Arsene Wenger looking to perceiver with the same side which began the first period believing that it would only be a matter of time before his side scored. Van Persie still looked the man most likely and the Gunners failed to be awarded an obvious penalty when their danger man was crudely chopped down Walter Samuel before he could get a shot away. The referee refused the award however and moments later Arsenal were made to pay when Suazo stole in ahead of Kolo Toure to give his side an undeserved 1-0 lead.
Aided by a post the forwards header was excellently directed and left Lehman with no chance.
Arsenal got their heads up and refused to give the game up and equalized almost immediately. Eboue once again broke down the right hand side and teed up Hleb. The Belarusian’s first shot was saved excellently but on the rebound the midfielder found the net to give Arsenal hope of claiming all three points.
In the final ten minutes of the game Hleb continued to pose the greatest threat and once again his excellent dribbling skills led to an Arsenal chance. Despite being dispossessed just outside the area his determination created a chance for William Gallas who just missed the post with a side footed effort.
Inter Milan had no response to the continued Arsenal pressure and it was only a matter of time before the winner came. Once again showing their resilience to come from behind in a home game, Eboue and Sagna worked well down the right before giving possession to the Dutchman Van Persie. Cutting inside on his left foot Van Persie fooled his marker by dragging the ball with the sole of his boot before lashing a shot past Toldo with his weaker right foot.
The goal was very much deserved as Arsenal had dominated throughout and was a confidence boost for the team who had to do without the Dutchman for much of last season. As the final whistle went Arsenal celebrated victory and two wins out of two in their latest pre season matches and as Gallas hoisted the trophy up high into the afternoon sunshine Arsenal’s young players celebrated potentially their first cup of many.
Arsenal Player Ratings – Emirates Cup Vs Inter Milan
Jens Lehmann – Returning to the team Arsenal’s number one stopper looked solid and reliable as ever. Made a couple of terrific saves to ensure that Fabianski and Almunia will be waiting a little longer before taking over his position between the sticks.
Emmanuel Eboue – Looked extremely threatening down the right for Arsenal in an advanced role once again. Caused endless trouble to a good set of defenders and was a nuisance throughout.
Kolo Toure – Looked solid at the back alalongsideallas and will be looking to build up a good understanding ahead of the season. Restricted Milan to only the one chance which he cannot be blamed for.
Justin Hoyte – Down the opposite flank to in the first game Hoyte did well to deal with the little defending he was required to complete.
Armand Traore – Again impressing as a sub Traore’s pace caused Inter defenders no end of problems in the second half, was a little slow to close down for the Inter goal however.
William Gallas – Captaining the side Gallas marshaled his defense well and will have been disappointed not to have been able to keep a clean sheet. Aerially he dominated, showing how vital his experience will be in the coming season.
Bacary Sagna – Looking far more assured than in his previous Arsenal performances Sagna did all that was required to push Eboue for the right full back slot. Neat distribution and cool defending under pressure allowed his team mate to push forward without hesitancy.
Kieran Gibbs – A debut to remember for the young left winger and could yet have a part to play in an Arsenal side full of potential. Not afraid to take players on as well as showing a coolness on the ball and a willingness to take players on, Gibbs is set to give Wenger extra options on the flank.
Nicklas Bendtner – Coming on to help a side struggling to create chances Bendtner’s aerial threat caused problems to Milan’s centre backs. Offering something different to the Gunner’s attack he looks set to play a vital role for his side this season.
Mathieu Flamini – Playing in his favoured position of centre midfield Flamini looked solid and worked a good partnership with Cesc Fabregas as Arsenal began to dominate in the second period.
Alexander Hleb – Possibly Arsenal’s star performer over the two games, Hleb’s dribbling, vision and goalscoring touch put Arsenal on their way to claiming the first Emirates Cup. Able to pick up the ball in the gap behind the front man, Hleb was a constant threat and gave Wenger something to think about with the season two weeks away.
Robin Van Persie – Rightly congratulated by his manager for his excellent team play Van Persie’s goal summed up exactly what he offers the Gunners throughout their domestic and European campaigns. As the most forward striker or playing just behind Bendtner, Van Persie looked comfortable in both positions.
Jens Lehmann – Returning to the team Arsenal’s number one stopper looked solid and reliable as ever. Made a couple of terrific saves to ensure that Fabianski and Almunia will be waiting a little longer before taking over his position between the sticks.
Emmanuel Eboue – Looked extremely threatening down the right for Arsenal in an advanced role once again. Caused endless trouble to a good set of defenders and was a nuisance throughout.
Kolo Toure – Looked solid at the back alalongsideallas and will be looking to build up a good understanding ahead of the season. Restricted Milan to only the one chance which he cannot be blamed for.
Justin Hoyte – Down the opposite flank to in the first game Hoyte did well to deal with the little defending he was required to complete.
Armand Traore – Again impressing as a sub Traore’s pace caused Inter defenders no end of problems in the second half, was a little slow to close down for the Inter goal however.
William Gallas – Captaining the side Gallas marshaled his defense well and will have been disappointed not to have been able to keep a clean sheet. Aerially he dominated, showing how vital his experience will be in the coming season.
Bacary Sagna – Looking far more assured than in his previous Arsenal performances Sagna did all that was required to push Eboue for the right full back slot. Neat distribution and cool defending under pressure allowed his team mate to push forward without hesitancy.
Kieran Gibbs – A debut to remember for the young left winger and could yet have a part to play in an Arsenal side full of potential. Not afraid to take players on as well as showing a coolness on the ball and a willingness to take players on, Gibbs is set to give Wenger extra options on the flank.
Nicklas Bendtner – Coming on to help a side struggling to create chances Bendtner’s aerial threat caused problems to Milan’s centre backs. Offering something different to the Gunner’s attack he looks set to play a vital role for his side this season.
Mathieu Flamini – Playing in his favoured position of centre midfield Flamini looked solid and worked a good partnership with Cesc Fabregas as Arsenal began to dominate in the second period.
Alexander Hleb – Possibly Arsenal’s star performer over the two games, Hleb’s dribbling, vision and goalscoring touch put Arsenal on their way to claiming the first Emirates Cup. Able to pick up the ball in the gap behind the front man, Hleb was a constant threat and gave Wenger something to think about with the season two weeks away.
Robin Van Persie – Rightly congratulated by his manager for his excellent team play Van Persie’s goal summed up exactly what he offers the Gunners throughout their domestic and European campaigns. As the most forward striker or playing just behind Bendtner, Van Persie looked comfortable in both positions.