Premier League - Milan hold wasteful Arsenal

Eurosport - Sat, 31 Jul 18:55:00 2010

A glancing header from Alexandre Pato with a quarter of an hour to go secured a 1-1 draw for AC Milan in an Emirates Cup game that Arsenal for the most part dominated.

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Marouane Chamakh had given the Gunners the lead in the first half on his home debut, but despite plenty of pressure from the hosts they could not find a second goal.

Arsene Wenger's side lacked a number of its star names, but the crowd were given their first sighting of new boys Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny.

Both players looked immediately at home in Arsenal shirts, combining with the rest of a youthful-looking side to play trademark passing football and they had much the better of their Italian opponents in the early stages.

Acting captain Thomas Vermaelen forced a terrific save from Christian Abbiati with a near post header, and had another chance just moments later sailed narrowly past the post.

At the other end former Gunner Mathieu Flamini caused a couple of moments of concern, firing a long-range shot which took a deflection off Koscielny and grazed the upright.

But Arsenal, a couple of weeks further into their pre-season preparations, looked fresher, and got their goal on 36 minutes. Andrei Arshavin made a superb run from near the halfway line and played a low ball at just the right moment for Chamakh, who slid his finish expertly into the corner.

From that point Arsenal relaxed and the passes flowed. Samir Nasri broke through the defence and cut back for Tomas Rosicky, but the Czech midfielder drilled a close-range effort straight at Abbiati.

Milan remained in contention more through moments of individual brilliance rather than a team performance, and fired a warning shot through Pato, who showed remarkable control to trap the ball, beat Eboue and curl a shot fractionally high just before the interval.

Arsenal began the second period with three changes, including the arrival of Theo Walcott on the right wing, and he looked excellent in a pulsating opening to the half. Chamakh and Arshavin nearly combined on the hour to double the lead, but then a string of substitutions from both sides stole much of the momentum from the game.

Chamakh came off to a standing ovation after 72 minutes, but soon after Pato's strike from Clarence Seedorf's accurate free kick levelled the scores.

Mark Randall, a substitute for the home side, had two golden chances to restore Arsenal's advantage, but Abbiati made two excellent saves.

And indeed Arsenal might have been punished for their profligacy still further had Gianluca Zambrotta's fierce first-time shot not rattled the crossbar with just four minutes remaining.

Eurosport

Comment 7 - 26 of 26

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  1. this season key player for Gunners," watch­ Nasri", i don't think Cesc will to produce­ much, too much pressure on him. Vermaelen will make a­ good captain, please consider this Wenger.

    From david, on Mon 2 Aug 16:34

  2. once again another new season and once again still have­ the same problems,goalkeeper-@#$%,light weight in the­ centre half department,one injury and we will struggle­ again,midfield/forward fancy pretty to look at­ football,but putting the ball in the net a major­ problem,take the 29millon for cesc and make wenger­ spend it on players,not to buy another couple of toilet­ blocks in the new stadium..

    From jimcummings32, on Mon 2 Aug 6:00

  3. Same old arsenal, i decided i won't be spending a­ penny more at arsenal until they do
    Wenger & the­ board are taking the piss out of the fans now....WE­ WANT OUR ARSENAL BACK!!

    From Elusive9T2, on Mon 2 Aug 2:05

  4. Fabianski is the best goal keeper in the world please­ continue to use him. He has been of a great service­ to United and Chelsea.

    From Half A Brain, on Sun 1 Aug 21:36

  5. And no report on the Celtic game, now there's a­ surprise!!!!

    From John L, on Sun 1 Aug 20:43

  6. Arsenal should ask AC Milan for Abbiati. AC Milan have­ Roma as second goalkeeper and Amelia as first choice.

    From Ago, on Sun 1 Aug 17:23

  7. Arsenal was not wasteful,Abiatti just top form in this­ match

    From Tham, on Sun 1 Aug 16:40

  8. AW, just buy a top keeper and leave the rest to your­ boys. The team is good and i am sure they will make us­ happy and proud.

    From osman, on Sun 1 Aug 16:26

  9. im a man utd fan, but i must say Marouane Chamakh is a­ real talent...
    man utd defence ought to be carefull

    From Jake, on Sun 1 Aug 16:22

  10. John: re your comments about Wenger - how's you­ career in top football management gone lately? What­ Premiership teams have you managed, and what have you­ won? Criticism is one thing, sneering is something­ else.

    From RA, on Sun 1 Aug 14:23

  11. lay off the goalie will you. i am sure arsene and his­ team of expert coaches and advisers know more about a­ player's ability than you lot combined, all the­ thousands of you, bleeding muppets. glory glory manure­ beckons for you if you can't wait for our talents­ to mature.

    From sanchez.santos, on Sun 1 Aug 13:04

  12. I think that Arsenal #1 should be Rene Adler but if­ Wenger does not want to buy him then Wojciech Szczesny­ would look good in goal then I think Mannone is good­ enough to stay with us (as #1 or 2 depending on Adler)­ and the Almunia should go to Newcastle or a promoted­ club and Fabianski shoulg go to Coca Cola League 2 or a­ another devision for semi-pros

    From max.fulconis, on Sun 1 Aug 13:03

  13. Will some1 kick arsenes a,r,s,e, & get it through­­ his arrogant stubborn french head his keepers are @#$%­­ & i would rather have 40year old david james in­­ goal than almunia or fabianski & why doesn't­­ wenger make a move for hart who is only no2 at city­­ & would jump at the chance to be arsenals no1 cos­­ it would vastly improve his chances of being englands­­ no1.
    From John, on Sat 31 Jul 8:43PM

    It's never­ gooner happen, Hart's ENGLISH and the french pr ick­ hates the English like the rest of his scummy­ countrymen, goes back to Trafalgar I feel

    From wiggy, on Sun 1 Aug 12:21

  14. Flapperhandski should have come for that ball that they­ scored from but no, instead the usless idiot stayed on­ his line - FFS Wenger when you gonna get shot of that­ clown?

    From Goonergirl, on Sun 1 Aug 11:26

  15. Wenger is too cheap to spend on a goalkeeper. Schwarzer­ wanted Francenal to show him the money but Francenal is­ not that kind of team.
    Fabregas will suit up in goal­ before Wenger spends. Flappihandski will have to do­ until Wenger gets dropped for a more mentally stable­ person. Francenal will have to pray that Almunia never­ gets sick or injured.

    From Isidro, on Sun 1 Aug 11:10

  16. Will some1 kick arsenes a,r,s,e, & get it through­ his arrogant stubborn french head his keepers are @#$%­ & i would rather have 40year old david james in­ goal than almunia or fabianski & why doesn't­ wenger make a move for hart who is only no2 at city­ & would jump at the chance to be arsenals no1 cos­ it would vastly improve his chances of being englands­ no1.

    From John, on Sun 1 Aug 10:43

  17. arsenal trying to walk the ball into the net . try a­ few shots outside the box, you are so frustrating play­ an earky ball in instead of fannying about.

    From roger l, on Sun 1 Aug 10:23

  18. I don't know why we keep going on about a new­ keeper, Mr Wenger knew we needed a new keeper two­ season ago but he so stubborn. He had the chance to­ getting hold of Shay Givens from Newcastle­ (twice)reasons he wouldn't pay the extra money for­ him, but went out and brought in not one but two low­ key Keepers hoping they can save him from spending what­ money we are suppose to have "Millions".­ I'm not getting any hope's for this coming­ season. I can feel Cesc frustration.

    From michellefifi, on Sun 1 Aug 10:07

  19. i have no idea why Milan would sign the 34 year old­ Yepes when they have Onyewu

    From CarlB, on Sun 1 Aug 9:54

  20. the gunners firing blanks again, it dont matter how­ pretty the football is the main thing is to take your­ chances. same old same old for me sorry.

    From lean machine, on Sun 1 Aug 9:19
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