Before the serious business kickstarts in a fortnight, the Emirates Cup proves a beneficial precursor. Its also an opportunity for the new signings to ease into the squad, and that's exactly what happened. Marouane Chamakh showed why Wenger so relentlessly pursued him in the transfer market by netting our opening goal against the Italian heavyweights AC Milan. Even then, we were pegged back by an Alexander Pato goal as it finished all square at the Emirates. 11G delves deeper into the contest and into our new #29..
Wenger's main incentive was to get the new boys going in a competitive environment and some groomed youngsters like Wilshire and Emmanuel Frimmpong also got a chance to prove their mettle in the top flight. The manager believes that these players will be a regular feature this season and will have a crucial role to play in our title challenge. Regulars like Robin Van Persie and world cup winner Cesc Fabregas were absentees for this one and the uncertainty surrounding our skipper's future is definitely getting on the nerves of we Gooners; but we'll leave that discussion for another day, for now hope is what we live on!
It was important to get our passing and movement on track from the start and the manager should be pleased with what he saw if not overjoyed. Nasri, Rosicky and Arshavin probed the Milan defence and it was Arshavin's darting run past a clueless Milan defence that set up Marouane Chamakh for a tidy finish, the hallmark of a prolific striker. He has netted 79 goals for Bordeaux and that finish showed his composure infront of goal, something that we as a team have been lacking on many occasions, often proving to be costly.
It would have been a real confidence booster to notch up a victory but it wasn't to be as some sloppy defending from a free kick allowed Alexander Pato to capitalize and equalize for the Italians. A soft goal to concede, doesn't hurt in the pre-season but we need to be more careful once the serious stuff begins.
However the performances were appreciable. The other new boy, Laurent Koscileny showed assurance and poise in the defence, we are keen to see how his partnership with Thomas Vermaelen blossoms during the season. Nasri and Arshavin showed attacking guile and upfront Chamakh's finishing exudes confidence.
Next up is the game against Celtic tonight. let us hope that the boys can turn on the style and notch up a victory to lift the Emirates Cup!
From footbo.com
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