‘Arsenal impress as youngsters come good for Wenger’
Arsenal 2 – 1 PSG – Emirates Cup – 28th July
Arsenal got their Emirates Cup campaign off to the best start as a goal in each half was enough to see off the threat of PSG. Just before half time the Gunners claimed the lead through Flamini and when Bendtner added a second Arsenal took their foot of the pedal which allowed the French side back in the game, Peggy Luyindula setting up a tense finish.
The Gunners started with a youthful outlook and in their first home game since the departure of Thierry Henry they put Dane Nicolas Bendtner and Robin Van Persie in charge of filling the goal scoring void. The home side started well in their first game of the tournament and with the Premiership just two weeks away looked in good nick ahead of the opening fixture against Fulham.
Wenger’s side started badly in the first half with the more experienced PSG side looking threatening through Rothen and Luyindula throughout. Arsenal looked stiff having recently returned from Austria and struggled to get going early on. A mistake from Toure allowed Luyindula to test Almunia early on and the Frenchman was forced into tipping over the bar moments later after a threatening cross.
With a lack of natural width Arsenal continued to be on the defensive for most of the half and some neat football from PSG led to another chance for Luyindula. Clichy looked to be Arsenal’s biggest threat as backed by a more defensively minded Diaby he was capably of providing several dangerous crosses but no Gunners player seemed willing to take a gable into the box to finish off the good work of the Frenchman.
Arsenal began to get more into the game as the half wore on but were still threatened by their French opponents as Almunia was forced into a low diving save from Frau. Midway through the half, Van Persie’s electrifying run sparked Arsenal into some action and though a free kick from the Dutchman was hit will over the run to set up the opportunity got the crowd going.
The Gunners flowing football now came into it’s own which led to Arsenal creating their first real goal scoring opportunity of the game. A cross from the impressive Clichy was chested into the path of the onrushing Flamini by Bendtner and the French midfielder aided by the post gave Arsenal the lead.
The result seemed to sucker punch Paris and ignited the offense of Arsenal who despite making changes in the second half became an increasing threat. Changing from 442 to a 4411 with Hleb playing just behind Van Persie, Clichy once more became a threat after being moved into a more advanced role. With more natural width through Eboue and Clichy the Gunners looked more threatening and were unlucky not to take a 2-0 lead when the full back sent Bendtner through but the Danish man was unable to steer his shot into the back of the net.
Meanwhile at the other end Gallas had to be on full alert to shut down the increasing threat of Pauleta and Arsenal’s threat became more and more sustained. After another attack of the home side broke down a corner awarded led to the second goal for Arsenal. A ball in from Denilson was met by Bendtner and despite his first header being blocked the ball fell perfectly for him to tap into an empty net.
Arsenal seemed to take their foot off the pedal and immediately Almunia was forced into a fine low save from Pauleta. There was little surprise when PSG got themselves back into the game through and excellent goal from Luyundula. Breaking into the box Frau crossed the ball into the bath of the striker who beat Senderos to the ball and flicked it past Arsenal’s reserve goalkeeper to set up an exciting finish.
Surprisingly there was little continuing threat from PSG as Arsenal began to gain control of the game once more. Heading into the final stages Arsenal should have added a third when an excellent rub from Hleb was prematurely ended by a foul in the area. Despite stepping up confidently Bendtner’s bid to claim a second of the game was thwarted as his weak penalty was saved by Landreau, despite this Arsenal clung on for the win and joined Valencia at the top of the Emirates Cup.
Wenger’s side started badly in the first half with the more experienced PSG side looking threatening through Rothen and Luyindula throughout. Arsenal looked stiff having recently returned from Austria and struggled to get going early on. A mistake from Toure allowed Luyindula to test Almunia early on and the Frenchman was forced into tipping over the bar moments later after a threatening cross.
With a lack of natural width Arsenal continued to be on the defensive for most of the half and some neat football from PSG led to another chance for Luyindula. Clichy looked to be Arsenal’s biggest threat as backed by a more defensively minded Diaby he was capably of providing several dangerous crosses but no Gunners player seemed willing to take a gable into the box to finish off the good work of the Frenchman.
Arsenal began to get more into the game as the half wore on but were still threatened by their French opponents as Almunia was forced into a low diving save from Frau. Midway through the half, Van Persie’s electrifying run sparked Arsenal into some action and though a free kick from the Dutchman was hit will over the run to set up the opportunity got the crowd going.
The Gunners flowing football now came into it’s own which led to Arsenal creating their first real goal scoring opportunity of the game. A cross from the impressive Clichy was chested into the path of the onrushing Flamini by Bendtner and the French midfielder aided by the post gave Arsenal the lead.
The result seemed to sucker punch Paris and ignited the offense of Arsenal who despite making changes in the second half became an increasing threat. Changing from 442 to a 4411 with Hleb playing just behind Van Persie, Clichy once more became a threat after being moved into a more advanced role. With more natural width through Eboue and Clichy the Gunners looked more threatening and were unlucky not to take a 2-0 lead when the full back sent Bendtner through but the Danish man was unable to steer his shot into the back of the net.
Meanwhile at the other end Gallas had to be on full alert to shut down the increasing threat of Pauleta and Arsenal’s threat became more and more sustained. After another attack of the home side broke down a corner awarded led to the second goal for Arsenal. A ball in from Denilson was met by Bendtner and despite his first header being blocked the ball fell perfectly for him to tap into an empty net.
Arsenal seemed to take their foot off the pedal and immediately Almunia was forced into a fine low save from Pauleta. There was little surprise when PSG got themselves back into the game through and excellent goal from Luyundula. Breaking into the box Frau crossed the ball into the bath of the striker who beat Senderos to the ball and flicked it past Arsenal’s reserve goalkeeper to set up an exciting finish.
Surprisingly there was little continuing threat from PSG as Arsenal began to gain control of the game once more. Heading into the final stages Arsenal should have added a third when an excellent rub from Hleb was prematurely ended by a foul in the area. Despite stepping up confidently Bendtner’s bid to claim a second of the game was thwarted as his weak penalty was saved by Landreau, despite this Arsenal clung on for the win and joined Valencia at the top of the Emirates Cup.
Arsenal Player Ratings – Emirates Cup Vs PSG
Manuel Almunia – Arsenal’s second string goalkeeper looked to be pretty solid as he staked his claim for a place against Lehmann and Fabianski. Was called into action often in the first half as PSG threatened and will have been disappointed not to have done better with the goal.
Philippe Senderos – Solid as ever, still troubled by pacey frontmen, the Swiss’ marking was not quite shirt tight enough to stop Luyindula from scoring.
Mark Randall – Looked lively when he came off the bench, willing runner but found it difficult to get into the game much of the play came down the right hand side.
Kolo Toure – Accomplished potential Arsenal captain Toure looked nervy in the opening half as he nearly miscued to give PSG an early chance. Replaced at half time.
William Gallas – Coming on for Toure, Gallas looked largely untroubled and steadied the Arsenal ship defensively.
Bacary Sagna – Looked nervy on his debut at the Emirates but began to look more comfortable once Arsenal began to get on top of the game.
Justin Hoyte – Coming on in the second half, Hoyte formed an excellent partnership with Eboue down the right hand side. Nulified the threat of Rothen and confidently overlapped his Ivorian team mate when necessary.
Cesc Fabregas – The linchpin of Arsenal’s team was his usual self in the centre of the park. A willing runner the box to box midfielder helped out at both ends of the field.
Armand Traore – The young left back formed an excellent team with Clichy when he came on in the second half. Providing a solid base for the team to build on he also looked a threat attackingly.
Mathieu Flamini – Got Arsenal off and running with his first half strike but looked out of place playing from a wide position, solid defensively but offered little when it came to an attacking option.
Emmanuel Eboue – The Ivory Coast International looked excellent in his much changed position of right midfielder, posed a constant attacking threat and was not afraid to take players on when necessary, extremely promising.
Denilson – Formed an effective first half partnership with Fabregas and built on an impressive first season of performances with an extremely energetic willingness to create things and help his side out defensively.
Abou Diaby – Very much like Flamini struggled to cope with his wide position in the first half and looked much more accomplished moving into a more central role. Leggy midfielder made vital tackles and provided a shield to the back four.
Robin Van Persie – Arsenal’s main attacking threat had a quiet first half before becoming more lively when the Gunners got going. Unable to quite click with Bendtner but will be an extremely important part of Arsenal’s team this season.
Alexander Hleb – Midfielder looked a threat when coming on in the second period. From a more central role Hleb’s creative vision helped Arsenal become a greater threat after the break.
Nicklas Bendtner – A much needed ninety Emirates minutes for the promising striker. Unlucky with the penalty but will be relieved to have found the net with an easy chance in the second half.
Manuel Almunia – Arsenal’s second string goalkeeper looked to be pretty solid as he staked his claim for a place against Lehmann and Fabianski. Was called into action often in the first half as PSG threatened and will have been disappointed not to have done better with the goal.
Philippe Senderos – Solid as ever, still troubled by pacey frontmen, the Swiss’ marking was not quite shirt tight enough to stop Luyindula from scoring.
Mark Randall – Looked lively when he came off the bench, willing runner but found it difficult to get into the game much of the play came down the right hand side.
Kolo Toure – Accomplished potential Arsenal captain Toure looked nervy in the opening half as he nearly miscued to give PSG an early chance. Replaced at half time.
William Gallas – Coming on for Toure, Gallas looked largely untroubled and steadied the Arsenal ship defensively.
Bacary Sagna – Looked nervy on his debut at the Emirates but began to look more comfortable once Arsenal began to get on top of the game.
Justin Hoyte – Coming on in the second half, Hoyte formed an excellent partnership with Eboue down the right hand side. Nulified the threat of Rothen and confidently overlapped his Ivorian team mate when necessary.
Cesc Fabregas – The linchpin of Arsenal’s team was his usual self in the centre of the park. A willing runner the box to box midfielder helped out at both ends of the field.
Armand Traore – The young left back formed an excellent team with Clichy when he came on in the second half. Providing a solid base for the team to build on he also looked a threat attackingly.
Mathieu Flamini – Got Arsenal off and running with his first half strike but looked out of place playing from a wide position, solid defensively but offered little when it came to an attacking option.
Emmanuel Eboue – The Ivory Coast International looked excellent in his much changed position of right midfielder, posed a constant attacking threat and was not afraid to take players on when necessary, extremely promising.
Denilson – Formed an effective first half partnership with Fabregas and built on an impressive first season of performances with an extremely energetic willingness to create things and help his side out defensively.
Abou Diaby – Very much like Flamini struggled to cope with his wide position in the first half and looked much more accomplished moving into a more central role. Leggy midfielder made vital tackles and provided a shield to the back four.
Robin Van Persie – Arsenal’s main attacking threat had a quiet first half before becoming more lively when the Gunners got going. Unable to quite click with Bendtner but will be an extremely important part of Arsenal’s team this season.
Alexander Hleb – Midfielder looked a threat when coming on in the second period. From a more central role Hleb’s creative vision helped Arsenal become a greater threat after the break.
Nicklas Bendtner – A much needed ninety Emirates minutes for the promising striker. Unlucky with the penalty but will be relieved to have found the net with an easy chance in the second half.