Red Bull Salzburg 1-0 Arsenal
Jul 25th, 2007 by 'holic
The third of the pre-season friendlies has ended in the first defeat for Arsenal. The purveyors of doom will be feeling justified, but there were clearly mitigating circumstances.
Jens Lehmann and William Gallas both made the start, along with Kolo Toure who was originally scheduled to make way for Johan Djourou. The absence of the young Swiss defender will doubtless make an internet headline or two tomorrow.
In the early stages new boy Eduardo appeared across the front line, popping up left and right of the strangely quiet Van Persie. It was the Croatian who was involved in the first incident worthy of note when he tumbled theatrically in the box in the eleventh minute.
Denilson popped up with the first worthwhile shot in seventeen minutes but failed to hit the target. It was noticeable at this stage that neither Toure nor Gallas was afraid to launch the long ball forward, a worrying sign.
Next to catch the eye was the outstanding Diaby with a determined run through the hosts defence, but his cut-back sadly failed to reach Van Persie.
Although Eboue appeared to have tweaked his hamstring it was the unfortunate Rosicky who was really hurt and had to make way for Sagna on the half hour.
The half-time interval saw further changes and Bendtner, on for Van Persie, was just a tad slow to react when Eduardo created an early chance from the left.
Midway through the half the outstanding Diaby, having picked up a barely deserved booking, was replaced by Randall. Not surprisingly the Gunners started to struggle against a side who have already commenced their new competitive season.
With less than a quarter of an hour remaining the home side struck. Janocko saw his hopeful strike deflect in off the hapless Gallas.
Only in the last five minutes did the visitors threaten to level the scores. First Flamini burst into the box, only to be denied by the keeper. Then Sagna attempted a long range effort from the left edge of the box which was sadly off-target.
The positives were to be gleaned from the performance of Diaby, the never-say-die attitude of Eduardo, and the work of Hleb (yes, Hleb!), who found himself switched from right to left by the Rosicky injury and never stopped looking to create opportunities for his team-mates.
Before I contemplate slitting my wrists I will consider the absence of Gilberto and Fabregas, not to mention Clichy, who would certainly figure in a full-strength Arsenal side. On the other hand we are approaching a season where the absence of just three players will not be a sufficient excuse for a defeat against limited opposition.
I remain convinced that at very least one new face is likely to be signed shortly. I just hope that is not balanced by the departure of one of our young defenders.
5 Responses to “Red Bull Salzburg 1-0 Arsenal”
First h’ic!
Please Ricky, enough is enough.
I think cesc was really missed and adibayors work rate was missing too.
i know and lot people don’t rate him still but no one in the team works harder….
Good point about Ade, Neil. I still think if the ‘new winger’ doesn’t appear then Van Persie could play out wide leaving Ade and Eduardo as the front pairing. At least it is another option.
I agree too – Ade was a big miss. He works well with RVP as all his running creates space for others and frightens the opposition defenders. He is a lot more skillful than some people give him credit for.
I refuse to give into doom as our players still have some way to go to get their match fitness. I’m looking forward to seeing some more of them in the Emirates Cup.