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.