Nagoya Grampus Eight 1-3 Arsenal: Review

By Peter Wells (twitter- @boxingbrains):

In their toughest friendly to date, Arsenal came out the Toyota Stadium a comfortable 3-1 winners. After previous victories of 7-0 & 7-1 it must have come as a relief to Arsene Wenger that his side were clearly offered a far sterner test to prove their credentials.

Outside of Ryo Miyaichi - who received a great ovation every time he touched the ball from the Japanese crowd - and Fabianski, the side Wenger issued out onto the field will be very similar to what Arsenal's fans will be viewing once the season begins.

After just 3 minutes of action Arsenal found themselves ahead, when Tomas Rosicky's wonderful cross was headed home by Olivier Giroud - the Frenchmans 6th goal of the pre-season. Rosicky has delighted the crowds with sensational assists throughout the Asian Tour, and for the most part Olivier Giroud has been the recipient of those adventurous crosses.

While Nagoya Grampus grew into the game, Arsenal almost extended their lead when Miyaichi's effort arrowed just a whisker wide of the far post. Then the Japanese winger was rewarded with the perfect chance to score when Giroud's pull back was handled inside the area, and Miyaichi was handed the ball. The hometown hero stepped up and lashed the ball into the bottom corner. The goal was greeted with the loudest cheer of the night.

Into the 2nd half and several Arsenal changes ensured a lively start, as the new faces looked to impress. Gnabry came close on a few occasions in the 2nd half, as the 18 year old once again looked the star that most expect him to be.

Nagoya Grampus came close to scoring on a few occasions, but couldn't force Fabianski into action.

Walcott went close before 16 year old Gedion Zelalem played Walcott through with a delightful ball which Theo chipped over the keeper for 3-0.

Gibbs and Wilshire could have both added their names to the score sheet before a great cross from the right side was nodded home by Yano to give Nagoya Grampus a consolation goal.

All in all Arsenal will be satisfied if not thrilled with their performance and the result. Nagoya Grampus can have their two goalkeepers to thank for keeping the scoreline down with some wonderful saves, while the defence also stood firm for the full 90 minutes.

Man of the Match: While there was no standout player in the game today, there were plenty of good performances. All of the midfielders looked solid and composed throughout, but it has to go to Zelalem who came off the bench to produce several wonderful through balls to his teammates while also making several good runs to open up the oppositions defence.

Next up for the Gunners is Urawa Red Diamonds on Friday. Kick off the same time, 11:30 UK time.

Nagoya Grampus Eight 1
Yano' 73

Arsenal 3
Giroud' 3
Miyaichi' 27(Pen)
Walcott' 56

Vietnam 1-7 Arsenal: Match Report

By Peter Wells (twitter @boxingbrains):

In an equally commanding albeit far less impressive victory in the Asian Tour, Arsenal ran out 7-1 victors over Vietnam. Arsenal were yet again clinical in front of goal but the lack of pace in their play and an overall lack of effort for long stretches of the game meant that they scored, or at least created, less chances than they possibly could have.

Olivier Giroud was the star of the match, scoring a 1st half hat-trick before he was replaced at the break. Its now 5 goals in just over an hours play - he came on as a substitute vs Indonesia Dream Team - for the French international. Akpom also came off the bench to add to his tally with 2 goals, while Oxlade-Chamberlain and Miquel were also on the score-sheet

But lest we forget the effort of Vietnam being re-paid when Tran Manh Dung volleyed the ball into the ground and over Martinez in goal to send the crowd into raptures.

After a promising start from Vietnam, Arsenal countered quickly and Olivier Giroud's shot across goal bounced in off the post. This was followed by a frustrating spell for Arsenal supporters as the ball was lost cheaply on several occasions, although Vietnam lacked the quality in their attacks to punish a lacklustre Arsenal performance.

Then as half time loomed Jenkinson burst down the right hand side, crossing the ball which was inadvertently cleared into the path of Giroud who bent the ball into the top corner from just outside the box. Then right on half time, Giroud completed his hat-trick when Oxlade-Chamberlain fed the ball through to the striker who exquisitely flicked the ball over the on-rushing keeper.

Into the 2nd half and Arsenal wasted little time to increase their advantage, as Theo Walcott held the ball up for Chamberlain who bent his shot into the corner of the net.

The 5th came just after Akpom had missed a good chance, but this time the young striker made no mistake after Ramsey played the ball to him. That was followed by Arsenal's 6th and Akpom's 2nd goal. Great link up play between several Arsenal players outside the box before Chamberlain selflessly played the ball square for Akpom to poke in.

Several more chances came for Arsenal. Akpom and Mertesacker coming the closest before Eisfeld cut the ball back from the by-line for Miquel to stroke the ball home for 7-0.

After that Arsenal did little of any note, before Dung managed to score a consolation goal. Just before injury time, the Vietnamese keeper was sent off for handling the ball way outside the box when Wilshire tried to knock the ball around him.

Despite the performance lacking, Arsene Wenger will be remotely happy that his side showed how clinical they are in front of goal. Not many players shined but Olivier Giroud and Alex Oxalde-Chamberlain were the pick of the bunch.

Man of the Match: Olivier Giroud, who turned in 3 goals in the space of 45 minutes, and is now showing the confidence of a world class centre forward.

Next up for Arsenal is Nagoya Grampus Eight next Monday. Kick off is at 11:30 UK time.

Indonesia Dream Team 0-7 Arsenal

By Peter Wells (twitter @boxingbrains):

With the first game of this years Asian Tour, Arsenal got the ball rolling in fine style. The Indonesia Dream Team were the unfortunate side at the wrong end of a scintillating and merciless 7-0 defeat. 5 goals came in the final 20 minutes when the Indonesian side lacked the energy to thwart an Arsenal team buoyed by the opportunity to impress Arsene Wenger.

To start the game, Wenger layed out a blend of Premier League experience with raw youth, looking to make an eye-catching impact.

The pace of the game in the first half was good for an Arsenal side looking to find ways round the back of the oppositions defence. And after a few chances went begging, finally Arsenal were able to take the lead on 19 minutes. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain broke through into the penalty area, before pulling the ball back for Theo Walcott to lash home.

Gibbs, Gnabry and several others all had opportunities to add to the score line but Arsenal had to settle for a 1-0 lead at the break.

Into the 2nd half and Arsenal continued to assert their authority on the game, driving the Indonesia Dream Team back into their own half of the pitch for much of the 2nd 45 minutes. Arsenal pressed down both wings and on 54 minutes a low ball into the area was flicked past the keeper by 17 year old striker Chuba Akpom.

Then after another flock of changes, Arsenal increased their lead in some style as Olivier Giroud scored twice in 2 minutes, both goals set up by fellow substitute Bacary Sagna.

Tomas Rosicky was next to provide a few wonderful assists, firstly after bursting through the Indonesian defence, the playmaker layed the ball off to Lukas Podolski who thundered the ball past the helpless goalkeeper.

A few minutes later and Tomas Rosicky's sensational cross to the back post was nodded into the back of the net by Kristoffer Olsson. Then to wrap the game up was a delightful team goal finished off by Thomas Eisfeld.

Although the score line was fair, the Indonesian Dream Team deserve credit for the way they kept looking to attack. They never settled to defend with 11 men behind the ball which left all the fans satisfied having watched an entertaining game, full of magnificent goals.

There were certainly many positive performances from Arsenal players. Both right backs, Jenkinson and Sagna played extremely well during their respective minutes on the pitch, while Aaron Ramsey displayed plenty of trickery and his ability to control the midfield. Serge Gnabry was particularly impressive, showing great energy to win the ball back and provided a lovely assist for Akpom's goal.

Next up for Arsenal is Vietnam on Wednesday at 13:00.

Man of the Match: With so many players producing the goods, picking a stand out player is very difficult. But I felt it had to go to one of the young players, so Serge Gnabry who produced plenty of flair was my pick for the man of the match.

Indonesia Dream Team 0

Arsenal 7
Walcott' 19
Akpom' 54
Giroud' 71' 73
Podolski' 83
Olsson' 85
Eisfeld' 87