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
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