First Pre-season friendly ends in victory

Arsenal's first game of their Asia tour and their first pre-season friendly ended in a win as the Gunners beat a Malaysia XI 4-0 on Wednesday night. Arsenal found life easy in the heat of Kuala Lumpur as 70,000 fans came to cheer on the Gunners in the Bukit Jalil Stadium. Arsene Wengar handed debuts to Carl Jenkinson at right back and to Ryo Miyaichi who played on the left flank as the Arsenal manager practically fielded two different sides each half with 8 being substituted at half time and the other 3 being subbed in the 66th minute. In the match Arsenal wore their new 125th anniversary blue away shirt for the first time.

The two teams hardly had anytime to get a rhythm together when on 4 minutes Jack Wilshere raced into the box and was tripped by Mohd Aidil Zafuan and the referee gave a penalty. Aaron Ramsey stepped up and comfortably slotted the ball into the back of the net for Arsenal's first goal of pre-season.

Malaysia XI's first real chance of the game came from a free kick as the ball was put in which dipped just under the bar but Szczesny managed to tip the ball over.

9 minutes before the break Arsenal doubled their lead when Ramsey played a ball over the Malaysia XI defence and into the path of Walcott who chipped the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper for 2-0 Arsenal.

After the break Arsenal carried their momentum and on 58 minutes Arsenal went 3-0 up. The ball being played through to Vela who ran through on goal and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper.

10 minutes later Vela had another great chance as he took the ball past one player and then the goalkeeper, before getting a shot out from 7 yards, but a defender was on the line to clear the ball away.

In the dying moments of the game Arshavin raced to the byline and got in a cross which was deflected into the path of Rosicky who headed home from 4 yards out to make it 4-0 to Arsenal.

A minute later Malaysia XI did have another chance as the ball was put in but poor contact was made with the shot and Mannone could make an easy save.

A good comfortable win for Arsenal as they will look to build on that performance when they take on Chinese side Hangzhou Greentown on Saturday afternoon(UK Time).

Arsenal First Half: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs, Song, Wilshere, Ramsey, Walcott, Miyaichi, Chamakh.

Arsenal Second Half: Mannone, Jenkinson(66 for Sagna), Squillaci, Djourou, Traore, Frimpong, Denilson(66 for Nasri), Rosicky, Arshavin(66 for Ramsey), Vela, Van Persie(66 for Miyaichi).

Man of the match: Aaron Ramsey.

Pre-Season Update

The Arsenal players are now back from their holidays and are back in training getting ready for their pre-season tour of Asia. The Gunners' first match will be against the Malaysia XI on Wednesday 13th July at 13:45 and they will finish their tour against Hangzhou Greentown on Saturday 16th July at 12:30. A week later Arsenal will be in Germany for a game against FC Cologne which kicks off at 14:30.

The week after, Arsenal will be back in England for their annual Emirates Cup at the Emirates Stadium. This year it will consist of Argentinian side Boca Juniors, French side Paris Saint German, American side New York Red Bulls, who now have former Gunner Thierry Henry among their side and, of course, Arsenal will be taking part in the Competition. The tournament will take place on the 30th when Arsenal will play Boca Juniors and PSG will face New York Red Bulls. It will then continue the next day when Arsenal play New York Red Bulls and Boca Juniors face PSG.

The Gunners will then play one more friendly as they prepare for the new campaign with a trip to Portugal, to face Benfica on Saturday 6th August. Arsenal have a tricky start to the new season as they first face Newcastle and then play Liverpool and Manchester United in the same month after mid week games in the Champions League qualifying stages. (Opponent has yet to be announced).

Meanwhile Arsenal secured their first summer signing by securing the services of 19 year old English born, Finnish defender Carl Jenkinson, from Charlton for an undisclosed fee thought to be around £1 million. He has taken the number 25 shirt formally worn by striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Arsenal have also officially welcomed 18 year old Japenese midfielder, Ryo Miyaichi into their side after sending him out on loan to Dutch side Feyenoord for the rest of the season after the Gunners signed him in January.

Arsenal also released their new away kit for the 2011/12 season. The kit will feature two different shades of blue with the left hand side being covered in a navy blue and the other side in a sky blue. The kit will also feature the 125th anniversary crest which has been designed especially for the new season. The goalkeeper shirt will be a dark green with part of the sleeves being striped with light green and black.

Late Walcott goal ensures draw with Fulham

Arsenal finished the 2010/11 season in 4th place behind Manchester City who just pipped the Gunners to an automatic spot for the champions league group stages. Arsenal's last game finished 2-2 as they drew with Fulham at Craven Cottage on a hectic last day of the season. Van Persie and Walcott scored the goals for the Gunners. Fabregas once again missed out for Arsenal but Nasri and Djourou came back into the side whilst Chamakh came in for Walcott who started on the bench. Phillipe Senderos played against his old side for Fulham.

The first chance of the match fell to Kieran Gibbs as Sagna played the ball into the back post, where Gibbs met the ball but Schwarzer was there to stop the header.

25 minutes in Fulham took the lead through virtually their first attack of the game. Ramsey loosing possession to Dempsey who picked out Zamora. Zamora raced to the byline where he pulled the ball back to Sidwell who slotted the ball under Szczesny for 1-0.

4 minutes later Arsenal equalised through Van Persie. Diaby playing a one-two with Chamakh before playing the ball through to Van Persie, who comfortably put the ball past the oncoming Schwarzer in the Fulham goal.

Just before the break Thomas Vermaelen stopped a certain goal from Danny Murphy to stop Fulham taking the lead for the second time in the game. Murphy dinking the ball over Szczesny but Vermaelen slid in to stop the ball from crossing the line.

The score at half time was 1-1.

Samir Nasri then almost gave Arsenal the lead from a free kick after Dempsey had brought Wilshere down. Nasri managed to curl the ball around the ball and force a fantastic save out of Schwarzer to stop Arsenal from taking the lead.

Then Fulham took the lead again. Greening delivering a cross from the edge of the box which found Zamora 4 yards from goal to head home for 2-1.

Fulham then had to suffer going down to 10 men for the first time this season, after substitute Gera was sent off for a two footed lunge on Thomas Vermaelen. Gera had only been on the pitch for 4 minutes.

A minute from the end of the game Arsenal grabbed an equaliser to grab a draw with Fulham. Walcott getting away from Briggs and racing into the penalty area before firing a shot which bounced off the post and went in.

The final score finished Fulham 2-2 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Fulham: Schwarzer, Hughes, Senderos, Hangeland, Briggs, Greening(65), Murphy(65), Sidwell, Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora(70).
Subs: Stockdale, Salcido, Gera(70), Etuhu(65), Davies(65), Gudjohnsen, Kakuta.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Vermaelen, Gibbs(64), Nasri, Diaby(64), Wilshere, Ramsey(64), Van Persie, Chamakh.
Subs: Lehmann, Squillaci, Eboue(64), Miquel, Walcott(64), Denilson, Arshavin(64).

My man of the match: Robin Van Persie

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 25,674

Arsenal suffer defeat in last home game

Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa on Sunday in the Gunner's last home game of the season. An early quick fire double from Darren Bent was enough to see the game through with Van Persie scoring for Arsenal in the 89th minute. Arsenal will now be looking to end their bad run of form and grab a victory in their last game of the season against Fulham next Sunday. Arsenal made a few changes as Vermaelen started for the first time in 8 months after being out with injury and Squillaci came in for Koscielny. Clichy, Nasri and Fabregas were all still out.

The first real scoring chance of the afternoon fell to Darren Bent who scored with a great volley inside the penalty area. Walker playing the ball into Bent who controlled the ball with his chest and then hit a volley on the slide which found its way past Szczesny for 1-0.

4 minutes later Villa grabbed another goal as the Arsenal defence was once again opened up. The ball being played into Young who was allowed to turn after Vermaelen had slipped. He then slipped the ball through to Bent who first time comfortably slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Arsenal then had a strong shout for a penalty turned down as Ramsey went through on goal, and just as he was about to shoot Dunne came in with the tackle and got none of the ball and all of the man with his challenge.

Arsenal's next chance fell to Van Persie who very nearly made it 2-1. Van Persie cutting inside and then turning past Collins before smashing a shot which bounced off the post and back into play. The ball then came out to Ramsey but his shot was blocked and it looped over the bar for a corner.

The score at half time was 2-0 to Aston Villa.

The first big chance of the second half fell to Gibbs as the left back exchanged passes with Van Persie before racing into the box only for Friedel to get in the way of the shot.

Aston Villa then had two chances in quick succession to put the game to bed. The first chance fell to Young as he drove a shot from range which was pushed away by Szczesny straight to Downing. Downing then waited before hitting a shot between Gibbs and Wilshere which was just saved on the line by Szczesny.

A few minutes later Arsenal thought they had grabbed a goal which put them back into the game but Chamakh's back post header was ruled out for a push on Walker.

With 2 minutes to play Arsenal did get a goal as the ball somehow found its way through to Van Persie who from six yards out made no mistake and scored a consolation goal for the Gunners.

The final score ended Arsenal 1-2 Aston Villa.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Squillaci(45), Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arshavin(62), Ramsey, Walcott, Wilshere, Song, Van Persie.
Subs: Lehmann, Miquel, Eboue, Henderson, Denilson, Chamakh(45), Bendtner(62).

Aston Villa: Friedel, Walker, Collins, Dunne, L. Young, Downing, Delph(90), Reo-Coker, Petrov(80), A. Young, Bent.
Subs: Marshall, Cuellar, Pires, Albrighton, Bradley(80), Agbonlahor, Heskey(90).

My man of the match: Robin Van Persie

Referee: Michael Oliver
Attendance: 60,023

Arsenal suffer biggest defeat of the season

Arsenal suffered their biggest defeat of the season; 3-1 to Stoke on Sunday afternoon. Defencive errors were again apart of the goals conceded in the defeat as Robin Van Persie continued his great run of scoring form. Fabregas was once again missing from the lineup with injury and Nasri and Clichy were also missing through injury. Gibbs and Arshavin replaced them and Vermaelen started on the bench after missing 8 months out with injury.

The first chance of the match fell to Van Persie after Ramsey found him just outside the six yard box but he could only fire his shot high and wide.

Just under half an hour had gone when Stoke took the lead from a free kick after Arshavin had shoved Pennant to the ground. Pennant swung the ball in from the free kick but Djourou could not get to his man and the ball just bounced off Jones and into the back of the net.

5 minutes before the break Stoke extended their lead to 2 goals. Pennant driving forward and then hitting a shot which came off Djourou and then looped over Szczesny who had no chance of stopping it from going in despite him getting a hand to the ball.

Stoke then almost made it 3-0 as Walters got to the byline and struck a shot which beat Szczesny but not the goal as the ball smashed against the cross bar.

The score at half time was 2-0 to Stoke.

Arsenal then again almost conceded from a set piece as Pennant delivered the corner onto the head of Huth who could head over.

There was then a scrap between the two sides as Wilshere went in with a bad tackle on Pennant and then Wilkinson on Wilshere. The two teams did not like it and they had a coming together but only Pennant and Wilshere were booked.

Arsenal's first chance of the second half fell to Van Persie as Bendter fed him but Begovic made the save.

Stoke then had a great chance to finish the game off as Whelan raced clear but Szczesny made a smart save to keep Arsenal in the game.

10 minutes from the end of the game Arsenal found a way back into the game as Van Persie drove into the penalty area and hit a shot which just crept under Begovic in the Stoke City goal.

A minute later Stoke regained their two goal lead. Wilkinson driving a shot towards goal which was stopped by Djourou but given straight to Walters who fired past Szczesny to kill the game off.

The final score ended Stoke 3-1 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth(50), Delap, Whitehead, Whelan, Pennant(71), Wilson, Jones(84), Walters.
Subs: Sorenson, Collins, Faye(50), Shotton, Pugh(71), Diao(84), Carew.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arshavin(46), Wilshere, Song(79), Ramsey(46), Walcott, Van Persie.
Subs: Lehmann, Vermaelen, Eboue, Squillaci, Rosicky(79), Chamakh(46), Bendtner(46).

My man of the match: Robin Van Persie

Referee: Mark Halsey
Attendance: 27,478

Arsenal beat United to restore pride

Arsenal beat Manchester United 1-0 at the Emirates on Sunday thanks to Aaron Ramsey's comeback goal. Despite both sides having strong claims for penalties they were both not given, as the title race now looks to go down to the wire. This big win for Arsenal should restore pride as the past week's results took them out of the hunt for the Premiership trophy. Arsenal were forced into making one change as Ramsey came in for the injured skipper; Cesc Fabregas.

The first big chance of the match fell to Wilshere. Walcott playing the ball into the box which could only be cleared as far as Wilshere who could only drag his shot wide from just inside the box.

Arsenal then had another great chance as Clichy swung in a cross which found Walcott who slid in to get the ball between Vidic and Evra but it went over.

Walcott then could have had another chance to score as Wilshere's scuffed shot almost found its way into Walcott's path but Evra got to the ball ahead of him.

United's first chance of the game fell to Hernandez as Fabio pulled the ball back to him but Sagna was in the way to make the challenge.

Arsenal then had a strong claim for a penalty turned down. Walcott playing the ball into the box which at first sight looked to have been headed away by Vidic but it actually struck the hand of the United defender just as Van Persie was about to get his head to the ball.

The score at half time was 0-0.

Szczesny's first action of the game was when a looping free kick from Wayne Rooney had to be parmed away to stop the visitors going ahead.

Arsenal were pushing for the lead and Sagna almost gave them that as the right back got forward and drove a left footed shot just past the far post.

The Gunners then did take the lead as Van Persie got down the right hand side before finding Ramsey who placed the ball beyond Van Der Sar and into the back of the net for his first goal since coming back from injury.

5 minutes later Man United almost grabbed an equaliser. Nani swinging a corner from the left hand side which found the head of Vidic but the ball bounced harmlessly wide.

United were now having most of the play and Nani had a great opportunity to level the scores but he fired straight at Szczesny.

Arsenal's first chance since the goal fell to Van Persie, as Walcott slid the ball into him at the back post but on the slide the Dutchman could find the side netting.

Manchester United then had a very strong claim for a penalty turned down as Clichy brought down Owen just inside the area but the referee said 'no'.

United's final chance of the game came from a freekick. Nani took the kick but it was straight into the wall and the chance was over.

The final score ended Arsenal 1-0 Manchester United.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou(69), Clichy, Nasri(45), Walcott(79), Wilshere, Ramsey, Song, Van Persie.
Subs: Lehmann, Squillaci(69), Gibbs, Eboue(79), Arshavin(45), Chamakh, Bendtner.

Manchester United: Van Der Sar, Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Anderson(56), Carrick(85), Park, Rooney, Hernandez(74).
Subs: Kuszczak, Smalling, Rafael, O'Shea, Valencia(56), Owen(85), Berbatov(74).

My man of the match: Aaron Ramsey

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 60,107

New Arsenal Home Kit

The new Arsenal Home kit for the 2011/12 season has now been released, however it does not come out in the shops until 9th June. The kit celebrates 125 years of Arsenal football club from 1886-2011. This also means that a new club crest has been designed specially for next season's kit. On the left hand side of the badge there are Laurel leaves to represent strength. On the right hand side of the crest there are Oak leaves to represent when the 15 foundling members of the club met in the Royal Oak pub. The word 'Forward' on the bottom of the crest is one of the first recorded mottos related to battle and the Gunners first motto. The classic red and white design of the kit is inspired by the 1970’s strips. The goalkeeper shirt will be a dark blue with part of the sleeves being striped with orange and black.