Arsenal v. Rangers 3-0 2/Aug/09

[Photo: PA through Telegraph]



Again the brilliant feet and intelligent mind of young U-21 Jack Wilshere made their way into the match to give Arsenal the Emirates Cup, previously won by Hamburg SV. The main question that shows from the performances of Jack, as in the previous FA Cup final, is his permanence in the bench or in the starting XI. Jack was given the start due to his display the previous day and he did not disappoint with two impressive goals.
With the final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético drawn in a one-goal share, the Gunners secured the symbolic title previous to the clash against Valencia away. That match shall be competitive enough against a team that survived from last year's onslaught. David Villa will prove a handy threat to Arsenal's new defence.




[Photo: CalcioIta]



And it was the same magical youngster who took advantage the chance of a loose ball in the edge of the box. A shot to the near post and the Gunners enjoyed an advantage that lasted the whole match. With this calm Eduardo sealed the fate of the Scottish team, with the second goal of the evening seven minutes after Wilshere's goal. It came after a long ball was headed back to Merida, who with a precision of a surgeon delivered Eduardo in the box, who finished neatly.
Already ten minutes and the Gunners were in the way of another six-goal salvo; this was not confirmed due to the lack of accuracy in Arsenal's finishing: six or seven scrapped chances from Clichy, Eduardo and so many others. Although the ardent and loyal Rangers supporters demanded a bit of decorum from their team, it was clearly that the match was pretty much one-way lane.
Even though in the final minutes the visitors made decent attempts to narrow the distance, there was a feeling that reaching the half time whistle there was no way in which the scoresheet could have gone in favour of Rangers. Wilshere's dexterity with the ball, as well as an astonishing play in the 43th minute, kept both Rangers' centre-halves really busy.




[Photo: Yahoo Sports Spain]



With a pair of substitutions at break, Denilson and Traore for Gallas and Clichy, the Gers renewed their attempts as they attacked with more clarity than in the previous minutes. McCulloch provided the deadliest opportunity for the Glasgow team but their momentum faded into thin air when Arsenal regained possession. Almunia starred as a dangerous counterattack from the Scots broke in the 63th minute.
With twenty minutes on the clock, the match turned into a sombre and languid display of football. Bendtner and Sánchez-Watt came in for Arshavin and Eduardo. Rangers apparently wanted nothing aside from counter-attacks and the Gunners piled up a lot of possession and chances. As if the performance of young Wilshere was not outstanding enough, he scored an impressive volley after Watt saved the ball from the line. The third goal was suitable to ease the final gasps of effort that the visitors had.
As the match wore off there was no particular highlight in which the match could have turned upside down. Everything was set for the Gunners to watch the following match and see who was going to win the tournament.

Arsenal v. Atlético Madrid 2-1 1/Aug/09

[Photo: Telegraph]



Again, the encounter at the Emirates Cup between a Madrid-based club and the home side resulted in a win for the Londoners, in a pretty even match. After several rehearsals finally the Gunners faced a difficult opposition, even though the match against Hannover was considered "a two-halves match."
Arshavin's brace gave the Gunners the edge while the youngster Wilshere again had the time to show of what he is made of. A young genius, he should be treated with the finest tweezers not to become another Owen or Walcott. Still I own a long and delayed post regarding young talent. He, sorry for that. The question of the Champions League playoff was looming as well as the first home appearance of Tomas Rosicky and the new 4-3-3 formation.




[Photo: Daily Mail]



With the moving tribute to Sir Bobby Robson the match initiated. Many Gunners' faithful were still not convinced by the newest signing- or the lack of. The beloved Reyes set Agüero, who headed wide, just in the sixth minute. Throughout the first twenty minutes there was not really a lot to talk about: maybe a little of action created by Rosicky and a couple of arrivals on Mannone's goal.
As the game progressed it was certain that the command that Arsenal had over Atlético was clearly outstaging the latter in every department. Reaching the thirtieth minute possession was again shared in equal numbers. Although it appeared to be a pretty even and an entertaining tie on the paper, the match I have to say, was pretty dull and ineffective.
The proof that Rosicky is back was in the 34th minute, when after a swift movement from a Madrid fullback he strolled into the box and shot, unfortunately, wide. The final minutes of the first period were by far more amusing, with both teams trying to get in the scoresheet. Eventually, all fired blank as we entered the second half.




[Photo: Sport Spain]



Finally, for the sake of entertainment, Jack Wilshere was introduced, as well as Fran Merida and Gael Clichy; Emmanuel Eboue, Tomas Rosicky and Armand Traore came off respectively. Not even with a minute gone, the newest English Under 21 player scrapped off two players to cross towards Bendtner. Asenjo saved a van Perise flick, Bendtner shot above the bar and Merida popped a ball before offside: all theses efforts provided by the magical left foot of Jack Wilshere.
Even with a shot from Maxi and a couple of substitutions by Atlético, the visitors did not make any approaches as dangerous as the previously mentioned shot. Reaching the 65th, Arsene made various substitutions: Cesc, Arshavin and Eduardo for Ramsey, Bendtner and van Persie. And as well as in the first half, the exciting moments came in the last part of the second, beginning in the 81st. It was Borja's attempt which tricked Mannone at first and the late lead was around the corner for the Madrid team.
Strangely it was Arshavin who put the ball past Asenjo, just after Cesc crossed to the far post. In the following minute Pacheco took advantage of the frail offside trap by the Arsenal defenders and poked it into the the bottom corner of Mannone's goal. Then, Arsenal took again the lead with another astonishing finishing by the Russian international in the 90th minute. After a long pass, Arshavin controlled the ball, and with another Blackburn-esque finish, gave Arsenal the first five points of the preseason competition.

Arsenal v. Real Madrid 1-0 3/Aug/08

Today's match was sufficient enough to see the Gunners beat a diminished Madrid side 1-0. Hamburg went with the "highly rated and desired" Emirates Cup. But the true concern, besides the good show the home side imposed, was Wesley Sneijder injury extent. I had the hope to see the two best midfielders in Europe, according to the awards but one was resting while the other exit the pitch on a stretcher. Many Madrid players like Arjen Robben suffered immediately. This reminded me the face of Cesc after seeing Eduardo's leg. Many blogs have take this injury without concern but in this space we care extremely about talented players who had suffered injuries, especially in the knee, which I understand.



Regarding the match itself the naming of Jack Wilshere in the bench was one of the most outstanding news. The quality this little lad has proven is irrefutable, and that is why the Youth Development Programs at the Grove are amongst world's finest. The initial starting XI was conformed by the usual preseason youngsters but Theo's naming and the new centerback couple were among the news.

The game started with the good disposition of the London side, with good dynamism and above all a wide perception of the pitch, especially by the two central midfielders. The Madrid side was reluctant in some chances to fight for the ball although in the few chances players like Diaby fought the ball several time too harsh. "Too harsh" is because this encounter was friendly and no one was supposed to get injured. Clichy proved the goal several times going wide and the talent displayed by Samir in several plays was a reminder of my previous hails. By the 30' the pace was obviously slowed with Madrid midfielder Guti having all the work. This may be one of the last matches for Robinho due to the current bid undergoing in London as we speak. Nasri plays are what Rosicky's are not. He has brought the expected balance that Fires did in previous years and when he "disappeared" from the pitch so the game for Arsenal. A couple of headers and shots were the remaining Gunner effort in the first half.



Immediately after the second period started Michel Salgado bumped Robin van Persie in the box. Eventually Emmanuel Adebayor took the lead with a fine definition. Following the spot take, the match itself did not had the previous emotions. The North London team performed particularly calmed using wide open spaces making a still game rather than a moving one. Then at 59' the previously strong Diaby tackles made the horror day. The French international struggled the ball against Wesley and the clash between legs produced a strange entanglement. This horrid scene saw Wesley Sneijder leave the pitch in the worst way a player can. Oh Baby, What have you done??

The concern the remaining minutes was any injury news on the cultured Dutch midfielder. The subs apparition changed the face of the team especially with the youngster Wilshere. His pace and crossing were excellent, and in cases even more helpful than Eboué's. After the injury both sides took care and reaching the ninety-minute mark Denilson still fought for every loose ball, a reminiscence of Gilberto's talent (obviously the former Arsenal captain tutored him).

Arsenal v. Juventus 0-1 2/Aug/08

Finally the 2008/2009 season has begun for this blog with the first broadcast in Mexican TV of an Arsenal match. So far the pre-season balance has gone in favour of the Gunners beating several teams from the affiliate Barnet to the former Bundesliga Champions Stuttgart. Certainly the young side has plenty of expectations this tournament and it will be a terrific thing that the silverware income would be a more shiny trophy than the Emirates Cup now reviewed.

Some of my expectations are among the very young core of the team; the reserves and U-18's. Nacer Baracite and Fran Merida are supposed to take the leap Cesc did when a team plagued with injuries forced the manager to show him off. Of course the development of key players and incoming players are the main reason for every fan but the young side has to be determinate if the silverware next May can show. I hope the team can improve even more despite several "distractions" which any Arsenal fan can identify with no further help.

Two hours earlier Real Madrid imposed 2-1 on a relatively weak Hamburg. The match showed us the magical definition of Zidan. Yes, Zidan. The following game had the particularity of being one of the youngest Arsenal side I have ever seen. The prospects for this match were sixteen-year old Jack Wilshere, Vela, Ramsey and Hoyte; with the hope of self-reediming in this blog.

The match started with a highly mobile Arsenal side, with Ramsey as main midfielder and Denilson controlingthe pace of the game. I was really impressed on the overall performance of the Brazilian player who seems more and more focused every time. The home side made all their initial approaches from this two players. Several attempts were made on the side with Eboué setting up Bendtner in three occassions. The first chance was a long driven cross from Hoyte that ended in a slow volley by Wilshere. The strong opposition denied many attempts, especially shots that went wide by both Eboué and "Robosaur" Bendtner. The match, at 30', began to even in possesion and the game became more calmed just with glimpses by Arsenal's talent. Ramsey showed his ability with an inbox play that was very impressive.

Juventus took the lead at 37'. Vincenzo Iaquinta took a set piece with a fast low shot that was later deviated by Trezeguet. In the first glance it appeared to be an offside but the repetition made it definite: the offside was clear. Nevertheless the team step up the challenge and the remaining minutes of the first half showed the good tactical training the youngsters have had from Neil Banfield in previous years.



The second half saw several inclusions in the first squad with subs like Gallas, Diaby and Adebayor. Chances came from the overlapping sides above all from the left with Gibbs, and Wilshere displaying overwhelming quality. Miguel Simón brought the issue of another essay I am currently writing; the number "10" of William Gallas as a rupture in the tradition. Some substitutions were made after the game turned passive at 60'. Long time have I waited to see the French playmaker wear the red shirt and finally I did. The game for Nasri added even more uncertainty about the quality of his style. In several Arsenal blogs and sites he was pronounced as "unknown" but anybody who extends their sight beyond the isle will see that several top-flight teams have made a bid for his services with Italian giants Inter closing in. The mobility he provided was a key factor to the following steps of the match. He cut through the middle reaching Adebayor's back in three occasions and shooting when required. The final attempt in the match was a fine Adebayor shot that swerved through the post of Gigi Buffon.