Arsenal rounded up their pre-season with a 2-1 reverse at Benfica. In a fiercely contested game, which really didn't seem like a friendly, Arsenal again couldn't manage to hold a lead. I appreciate that it is only pre-season and it's not a true representation of how the season will pan out, but Arsenal managed just 2 wins when they really should have won every single game. There was not one opponent who - on paper - are better than the Gunners.
The game today was truly end to end stuff, an enthralling encounter between a strong Benfica side, and a weakened Arsenal one. The first half saw some fantastic moves from both sides, Benfica having the best of the opening exchanges. Arsenal grew into the game though and began to put Benfica under increasing pressure and after Gervinho and Van Persie had a series of chances which went close, birthday boy, Robin Van Persie cool-ly converted a Kieran Gibbs cross. Swept in low, from the left-hand side, Gibbs' cross picked out Van Persie with pinpoint accuracy, allowing him to calmly slot home from 4 yards. The 'keeper never stood a chance.
Half time came, and both Benfica and Arsenal made a multitude of changes, Benfica strengthening, Arsenal arguably moving towards a worse side. Chamakh, Myaichi, Squillaci, Frimpong, Fabianski and Jenkinson replacing Van Persie, Arshavin, Djourou, Song, Szczesney and Sagna.
Just 4 minutes into the second half, some sloppy Arsenal defending allowed the Benfica attack far too much space and on reciving the ball, Aimar had enough room to turn inside the area and get his shot away. The equaliser; 1-1. Fast forward 11 minutes, further defensive errors allowed Benfica to go ahead - Squillaci beaten by Nolito, who fiercely fired home. The goal came at the worst possible time, the Gunners were beginning to grow into the game again, and find some rhythm - much like in the first half - but Benfica's second truly was a hammer-blow. Arsenal's usually tidy passing game went, and when they had the ball, this inexperienced Arsenal side gave it back far too easily. Neither side looked much like scoring the game's fourth goal, but the game became truly end-to-end, and although a disappointing result for the boys in turquoise and blue, they had a good run out in preparation for Saturday's season opener away at Newcastle United.
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This has spelling errors and at points doesn't make sense. Plus you say 'they had a good run out in preparation for Saturday's season opener away at Newcastle United' when actually, they just lost, to me that's not the best preparation.
ReplyDeleteI mean that they had a good run out in terms of fitness, I agree that a loss isn't the best result for the last game of preseason, but as a test of work-rate and concentration etc. it was a very good game for them to see what's good and what's lacking.
ReplyDeletePrevious comment overly critical lol. Ulterior motives? Competing blog? I spotted minimal spelling errors. Not a big deal. And he said the result was a disappointment. He was saying the experience was good preparation for a real game (which we haven't played yet).
ReplyDeleteAnyways imo Chamakh, Ramsey, Squillaci, were all shit. Song (though sloppy at times), Frimpong, Rosicky, and Gervinho all played very well. Everyone else as expected. Sagna and Verm a little rusty. We played like shit in the 2nd half and deserved to lose. Looking forward to the season, the question of Nasri is still unaddressed. If he leaves, we need a replacement (of course Mata sounds nice). That being said, (assuming we stay healthy this season), with 1 major defensive signing, well b better than last year for sure. But a loss is a loss and is still a hard pill to swallow...
I am fed up.....
ReplyDeleteWenger claimed he adds super quality to his quality side. The 'super quality' of last season; Squillaci has already cost more than enough games. I can only fear for the worst this season!
ReplyDelete