Pre-season: Arsenal come from behind to win first game of tour

Arsenal were forced to come from behind in their first game of their Asia tour as they played a strong Malaysia XI side as a mixture of youth and experience managed to pull off a 2-1 win for the Gunners, even if it did take until the 86th minute to finally score. Arsenal's equaliser came from young German Thomas Eisfeld as Chuks Aneke went onto grab the winner in the last minute of the game. Arsene Wenger had taken a squad which was quite strong but missed key players such as Van Persie, Giroud and Koscielny, who weren't fit enough to travel, whilst Aaron Ramsey is at the Olympics with Team GB and Podolski and Mertesacker are being rested.

However, the game gave us a chance to look at players such as Benik Afobe, Kyle Bartley and Ryo who had successful loan spells away from the club. Meanwhile Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta returned from end of season injuries and started the game. Arsenal were playing in their new purple and black away kit for the first time. 

Thomas Eisfeld came off the bench to equalise for Arsenal

The first chance of the game fell to Marouane Chamakh as the ball was played over the top into the path of him but he smashed his shot straight at the Malaysia keeper.

Arsenal's next chance came from a corner as Arteta picked out Vermaelen but he acrobatically put the ball over the bar.

Malaysia's first opportunity came from a freekick as Safiq struck a shot which Mannone parmed wide of the goal.

Arsenal then should have made it 1-0. Chamakh played a neat pass into Andre Santos, who was playing in a more attacking role than usual, but he put his shot wide.

Malaysia managed to force Mannone into making a save again as Akil struck a shot from just inside the box but the effort was saved pretty comfortably by the goalkeeper that enjoyed a loan spell with Hull City last season.

Andre Santos was again then given the chance to put Arsenal ahead as he stole the ball off the toes of one of the Malaysia defenders but Razali in the opposition goal came out to stop the shot.
Mannone was having to be at his best to keep Malaysia at bay as Sali broke into the penalty area but the Italian keeper manage to beat the ball wide.

Just before the break, Mannone was finally beaten. Azmi Muslim decided to let fly from 25 yards out and the ball went like a rocket into the far corner of the net to give the hosts a surprise lead.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Malaysia. Arsenal then made 10 subs as the likes of Walcott, Chamberlain and Song were all brought on.

The first chance of the second half went Malaysia's way as Robbat let fly from outside the box but the ball went wide.

Arsenal then came close to equalising as Ryo took a quick free kick into Afobe who went clear on goal and struck the post. However, if the ball had gone in it would have been ruled out for offside.

Malaysia's number 10, Sali was having the majority of the hosts chances but he squandered another one as he cut inside Bartley before firing a shot straight at Mannone.

Afobe could've made it 1-1 though as Alex Song played him through on goal but the England U19 international only found the hands of the goalkeeper.

It was then again Sali who made a chance for himself as he stepped past one Arsenal man before hitting a shot towards the near post which Mannone once again kept out.
Arsenal then finally equalised as Song played a ball down the line to Yennaris as he stepped inside the Malaysian full back before picking out Eisfeld to put the ball into the back of the net.

3 minutes later, Arsenal got the winner. Chuks Aneke played a one-two with Ignasi Miquel before hitting a deflected shot past the keeper for 2-1.

The final score in Kuala Lumpur finished Malaysia 1-2 Arsenal.

Arsenal first half team: Mannone, Jenkinson, Djourou, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Coquelin, Diaby, Arteta, Gervinho, Chamakh, Santos.
Arsenal second half team: Mannone, Yennaris, Bartley, Eastmond, Miquel, Song, Aneke, Chamberlain, Walcott(80 - Eisfeld), Afobe, Ryo.  

Pre-Season: Arsenal win Markus Liebherr Cup

On Saturday we all got to see Arsenal's first pre-season matches as they played in the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup at St Mary's in Southampton. The tournament was contested between Southampton, Anderlecht and Arsenal and consisted of 45 minute matches. The tournaments victors were Arsenal as they won and then lost a game on penalties. Those results were enough to see the Gunners pick up the trophy with a tally of 4 points.

Arsenal took mainly a youth side to the competition which meant the likes of Thomas Eisfeld, Ignasi Miquel and Chuks Aneke played. There was also gametime for first teamers such as Gibbs, Santos and Chamakh.

The first game of the tournament was between Southampton and Anderlect which the Belgian side won 1-0. It was then down to Arsenal as they played Anderlecht and won 1-0 thanks to Henri Lansbury who was back in the red and white of Arsenal and trying to impress after a succesful loan spell with West Ham in the Championship. In the game Damian Martinez and Thomas Eisfeld played their first games with the first whilst Eastmond and Watt also received game time after being on loan throughout last season.

The Arsenal side that played Anderlecht was: Martinez, Boateng, Miquel, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Yennaris, Eastmond, Lansbury, Eisfeld, Watt, Chamakh.

Arsenal then played Southampton and the game finished 1-1 after normal time. Southampton took the lead through Rodriguez but then Arsenal equalised 4 minutes later on 35 minutes as Gervinho scored a brilliant solo goal after taking on a few players before firing the ball home. The game then went to penalties in which Southampton won 5-4. The game saw promising youngsters Meade, Ebecilio, Angha and Olsson all receive first team action.

The Arsenal side that faced Southampton was: Mannone, Meade, Santos, Bartley, Djourou, Eastmond, Ebecilio, Lansbury, Coquelin, Aneke, Gervinho.

Johan Djourou lifts the Markus Liebherr Cup

Euro 2012 Review: Spain are crowned Champions

Sunday night saw Spain create history as they beat Italy 4-0 in Kiev to win Euro 2012. Spain were the first side to win back to back European Championships which added to their World Cup success of 2010. It was a victory that confirmed Spain's status as one of the best ever international sides to grace the planet.

The victory was very convincing and the Italians didn't really look like winning it at any time in the match. The scoring was opened just 14 minutes in as Cesc Fabregas, who was once again starting upfront, got to the byline before pulling the ball back onto the head of David Silva who found the net. The second goal came 4 minutes from half time as Xavi played a wonderful ball into Jordi Alba who raced clear on goal and slotted the ball past Buffon in the Italian goal. Italy's cause wasn't helped as just minutes after coming on, Thiago Motta had to be taken off, with no substitutes remaining, the Italians had to finish the game with 10 men. This had a massive affect on how the match was to finish. Fernando Torres came on and went onto grab his third of the competition. He then managed to set up the fourth goal for the Spaniards as he found Juan Mata who tapped the ball into an empty net. It was a goal and an assist that would secure the Spaniard the golden boot. Fellow teammate Andres Iniesta was also awarded UEFA's player of the tournament award.

Spain's incredible four goal margin of victory over the Italians meant that it was the biggest victory in a final of a European Championship. Spain had certainly shown that they weren't lacking spirit or hunger of winning another major tournament as they were crowned Euro 2012 winners.

Spanish captain Iker Casillas holds the trophy aloft

Euro 2012 Review: Spain and Italy through to the final

Euro 2012 is now reaching it's climax after the finalists for the tournament were decided on Thursday and Friday night.

The first semi-final was between Portugal who had beaten Czech Republic in the quarter-finals against neighbours Spain who had beaten France to make it into the semi-finals. It was a very close match in which Spain were playing their worst football of the tournament and were quite wasteful by their high standards. Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo had most of the chances, mainly from free-kicks but most of them sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. However no goal scorer could be found in normal time and then in extra time either which meant the game went to penalties. The first two penalties were saved and then the centre backs on either side stepped up to take penalties and succesfully scored. However it was a Portuguese centre back who missed a crucial penalty which left Cesc Fabregas to find the net, via the post with the deciding penalty to send Spain into the final. The final score in the shootout finished Portugal 2-4 Spain.

The second semi-final was between Germany who had beaten Greece emphatically in the quarters against Italy who had knocked England out. Germany were favourites to make it through and maybe go on to win the tournament. However it was not to be as Italy sprung a suprise victory to make it through to the final. A brilliant header and a fine striker from outside the area from Mario Balotelli ensured Italy were ahead at the break. Germany fought back but wasted chances through Lahm and Reus. Germany did eventually get their goal in injury time as Mesut Ozil fired home from the penalty spot but it wasn't enough as the final score finished Germany 1-2 Italy.

So the final of Euro 2012 will be between the last two World Champions in Spain and Italy on Sunday night in the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

Mario Balotelli scored twice to send Italy into the final

Euro 2012 Review: England out as Italy and Spain go through

The quarter finals are now complete and we now know which teams will face each other in the semi-finals of Euro 2012.

The fourth and final quarter final saw England play Italy. Roy Hodgson had stuck with the same team that had beaten Ukraine in their final group game but were far from their best. Italy dominated as they had a host of chances in which to go through. However it went to extra time but a scorer still couldn't be found. The game went to penalties and of course, England lost. Italy missed their first penalty through Montolivo but Ashley Young and Ashley Cole both then missed penalties later on in the shootout. Diamante stepped up to take the deciding penalty which he comfortably converted to send Italy through to the semi-finals. The final score on penalties finished England 2-4 Italy. England deserved to be knocked out on the night but can hold their heads high as with the weak squad they had taken to Poland and Ukraine there is nothing to be ashamed of.

The quarter-final the day before saw Spain play France. The French had Mexes suspended so Laurent Koscielny came into the side for his first game of the tournament. However, arguably their best player of the tournament, Samir Nasri was strangely left out of the starting XI. The Spanish though, as they did in their first group game, played without a striker as Cesc Fabregas lead the line. Spain were the dominant side and deservedly went through. The first goal was set up from a fine piece of play from Jordi Alba who got to the byline before finding the head of Xabi Alonso who gave them the lead. In the dying moments of the game Alonso grabbed his second goal of the game from the penalty spot to send Spain through as the final score ended Spain 2-0 France.


Diamante scored the desicive penalty as England were knocked out

Euro 2012 Review: Portugal and Germany through to Semis

Two of the quarter-finals at Euro 2012 are now complete after the Group A and B winners and runner-ups of the groups played each other on Thursday and Friday night.

The first quarter-final of the tournament was between Group A winners Czech Republic and Group B runners-up Portugal. Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky was once again missing the game through injury, which turned out to be crucial as Portugal dominated the game as the Czech's had very little chances. As expected it was the Portuguese who made it through thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo who was finally showing glimpses of his brilliant club form at a major international tournament. He was the loan goal scorer as he headed the ball home brilliantly to send his country through. The final score finished Czech Republic 0-1 Portugal.

The second quarter-final was between Germany and a Greece side trying to replicate the miracles of 2004. Germany gambled with their side as their front three that had played every game of the tournament so far did not play, as Reus, Klose and Schurrle came in for Muller, Gomez and Podolski. The final score though showed no signs that they were missing those players. Germany dominated as was expected and despite missing a host of chances early on still managed to take the lead through a sweetly struck shot from Lahm. However 10 minutes after half time Greece equalised as Salpingidis slipped the ball over to Samaras who tapped the ball home. Germany then scored three goals in quick succession to send the Greeks out as Khedira, Klose and Reus grabbed goals. Late on, Greece got a consolation goal as Salpingidis converted a penalty but the final score finished Germany 4-2 Greece.

Germany captain Phillip Lahm opened the scoring as Germany reached the semi-finals

Euro 2012 Review: England beat Ukraine to reach quarters

England completed a far from convincing win in their final group D game against co-hosts Ukraine as Wayne Rooney returned from suspension to pop up with the vital goal. Rooney was the only change to the side that had beat Sweden last Friday as he came in for Andy Carroll. The England striker was far from his best , missing a free header from 4 yards out in the first half, but early into the second half he made up for it, as he got onto the end of Gerrard's deflected cross to nod the ball home from a yard out. The final score in Donetsk finished England 1-0 Ukraine. The result meant that England had managed to avoid Spain meaning they are to play Italy in the quarter-finals after finishing top of their group.

Wayne Rooney returned from suspension to head England into the quarter-finals

The other game of the day sprung a suprise as France suffered a defeat at the hands of Sweden. Sweden were playing for nothing but pride after already knowing their fate of being knocked out before the game had started. However it was a great performance from the Swedes as goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovich and Seb Larsson meant the final score finished Sweden 2-0 France in Kiev.

Those final group results mean that the lineup for the quarter-finals has now been decided and are as follows...

Czech Republic v Portugal - 21st June in Warsaw
Germany v Greece - 22nd June in Gdansk
Spain v France - 23rd June in Dontetsk
England v Italy - 24th June in Kiev