Video Gambar Arsenal

Hull City 1-2 Arsenal 13 MARCH

noreply@blogger.com (Yatz Persiegas) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Arsenal picks up three points on Bendtner's injury-time winner

Hull City 1-2 Arsenal 13 MARCH - The best home videos are here

Call it fate, call it karma, call it grace under pressure, but Arsenal found a way to victory this afternoon when all seemed lost.

Chelsea’s early win had heaped pressure on them and they responded, just about, when it mattered.

This result leaves Wenger's men second on goal difference having played a game more than Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

The title race is still very much on.

Wenger made two changes from the side that qualified so handsomely through to the Champions League Quarter-Final with a 5-0 thumping of Porto. Thanks, in part, to Bendtner's hat-trick.

Arsenal 3 - 1 Celtic

noreply@blogger.com (Yatz Persiegas) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:24:00 +0000

Arsenal - Celtic (3-1).All Goals - For more of the funniest videos, click here

Eduardo's controversial penalty helped Arsenal secure another shot at the £30m jackpot of the Champions League with a comfortable 3-1 win on the night - 5-1 on aggregate - over Celtic at Emirates Stadium.

The cost of failure, both financial and in sporting terms, would have been immeasurable on the Gunners, who have consistently competed among the elite clubs of European football for more than a decade.

However, manager Arsene Wenger knows maintaining such a level will prove the biggest challenge ahead this season for his young Arsenal side, which tonight coped admirably without injured captain Cesc Fabregas and took the lead in the first half when Croatia striker Eduardo converted from the spot after he had gone down somewhat lightly under a sliding challenge by Celtic keeper Artur Boruc.

Emmanuel Eboue made sure there would be no comeback for Tony Mowbray's side with a neat finish after 53 minutes before substitute Andrey Arshavin slotted in a third to complete a 5-1 aggregate win.

Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati volleyed home a superb consolation goal in stoppage time.

For now, at least, the likes of Manchester City must sit and watch as Arsenal will take their place in the pot for Thursday`s group stage draw in the millionaire's playground of Monaco, with expectations once again set high the Gunners can go one better than the semi-final appearance last season.

Celtic, meanwhile, may be giants in Scottish football, but dropping into the Europa League will prove little consolation for the missed revenue and big-match experience.

Arsenal had the luxury of a 2-0 lead from the first leg in Glasgow, and so Wenger decided to start with Robin van Persie and Arshavin on the bench.

However, the front two of Eduardo and Nicklas Bendtner still provided plenty of movement, combining to set up a chance for the Brazil-born Croat after nine minutes.

Eduardo was unable to stab the ball home at the far post after Boruc had palmed away Bendtner's close-range flick.

Celtic boss Tony Mowbray named an unchanged XI from the side which defeated St Johnstone 5-2 last time out, and knew his men would have to take the game to Arsenal if they were to stand any chance of progress.

The Bhoys looked to make the most of the counter-attack, but too often delivery was poor following good build-up.

The much-maligned Eboue had been pressed into a more advanced midfield role tonight, and almost opened the scoring with a shot on the turn from the edge of the Celtic area.

After 29 minutes, Arsenal were awarded a penalty when Eduardo went down following what looked minimal contact at best by Boruc after he skipped into the left side of the box.

It was, though, enough to convince Spanish referee Manuel Gonzalez, which was all that mattered - and Eduardo was certainly not worried by chants of "cheat'' from the massed ranks of green behind the goal.

The Croatia striker, set to face England in next month's crucial World Cup qualifier at Wembley, stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way - and all but kill off the tie.

Celtic were clearly aggrieved, and for a spell lost composure.

It was not the Scots' lucky night, as Scott McDonald saw his far post tap-in ruled out by an offside flag with four minutes left of the first half.

In stoppage time, Boruc was at full stretch to push Eduardo's curling 20-yard effort around the post.

The Croatian - who on another night could easily have netted a hat-trick by now - was on the end of a quick break and some neat footwork found himself space on the edge of the area, only to scuff a shot wide.

After 53 minutes, Eboue showed Eduardo how it was done, drilling a low shot past Boruc following more neat build-up from a clever flick by Bendtner and Abou Diaby's centre.

Arshavin was introduced for the final 20 minutes, along with teenager Jack Wilshere, the latest off the production line at London Colney.

The Russian netted his first Champions League goal for Arsenal after a neat turn and finish after collecting Wilshere's pass after 74 minutes.

Donati salvaged some wounded pride in stoppage time with a stunning volley in off the post from Andreas Hinkel's right-wing cross.

Next up for Arsenal is the small matter of a trip to Manchester United. There Wenger's youngsters will face another stern test of character - which so far this season have all been answered.

Arshavin - Expectations are not a problem

noreply@blogger.com (Yatz Persiegas) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:53:00 +0000

Andrey Arshavin is not worrying about heightened expectations this season.

After sparkling performances following his arrival from Zenit St Petersburg last season – including four goals against Liverpool at Anfield – all eyes are on the Russian playmaker in his first full season in English football.

His searing start to Premier League life will also have excited his Russian onlookers. But the 28-year-old insists it won’t bother him.

“I’m not thinking of it a lot,” he told the Official Matchday Programme.

“ I just look forward to the next game and keep things simple. Of course I’ll try to show my best for the team and the supporters of Arsenal, but we will see.

“On the pitch it’s difficult to play alone! If we play well together as a team it becomes easy to show yourself and operate at your best as an individual.

“In Russia, people are thinking more about the upcoming international games to be honest.

“Everybody’s waiting for the Russia v Germany game in October because this should decide who qualifies for the World Cup out of the two of us – although we have to face Wales and Liechtenstein before then.”

Arsenal 4-1 Portsmouth 22-08-2009

noreply@blogger.com (Yatz Persiegas) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 04:02:00 +0000

BPL 2009/10 - Weekday 2 - Arsenal 4-1 Portsmouth - Celebrity bloopers here

Abou Diaby struck twice as Arsenal maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with an emphatic 4-1 win over Portsmouth at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Frenchman sidefooted in after 18 minutes and swept home another soon afterwards as Arsène Wenger’s side produced some sublime football in the first half.

They were pegged back by a header from Younes Kaboul just before the interval but a freak goal from William Gallas, his third in three games this term, and fourth from substitute Aaron Ramsey completed a satisfying afternoon for Arsène Wenger.

On paper this was the ‘gimme’ of Arsenal's teak-tough start to the 2009-10 campaign and, in fairness, the home side were always in control. But had they been off-par then an energetic, dogged Portsmouth outfit may have pushed them all the way.

However it never came to that; this was Diaby’s and Arsenal’s day. They completed the task with diligence and bought their goal tally to 12 goals in three games.

If they can see off Celtic on Wednesday in similar fashion then Wenger’s men can look forward to greater challenges ahead this season with real confidence.

The main news before kick-off was all about Eduardo. The Croatian had featured in four games last season and cameoed at Everton last weekend but this was his first Premier League start since that fateful day at Birmingham on February 23, 2008. The 26-year-old took up a role on the left side of the front three. Robin van Persie replaced Nicklas Bendtner at the pinnacle and Andrey Arshavin was on the right.

There were three further changes from the midweek win at Celtic. Emmanuel Eboue, Kieran Gibbs and Diaby came in for Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Alex Song respectively.

As usual, Portsmouth were backed by their boisterous, bell-ringing supporters. However their Club were perceived to be tethered by takeover talks and in real danger of relegation. Their early season performances had not really backed up that notion but they could surely do without facing a rampant Arsenal this afternoon. But then who could?

Eight goals and two stirring wins were celebrated with 60,000 twirling scarves before kick-off. The Club had arranged for one to be left on every seat and the supporters waved them with gusto as their side came out. The home team soon adjusted their play to the party atmosphere.

In the opening seconds, Diaby found a fraction of space on the right only to dally and allow the recovering Nadir Belhadj to deflect the ball over the bar.

It was the sign of things to come in the first 15 minutes – incessant Arsenal pressure but without real focus. Arshavin rolled a shot wide in the ninth minute and the home side forced a flurry of corners but David James should have been called into greater action before Arsenal took the lead in the 18th minute.

Eduardo collected the ball on the left, nudged it one side of Marc Wilson then cheekily raced around the other side to collect near the byline. The striker steadied himself before rolling a pass into the path of the onrushing Diaby, who sidefooted a powerful shot into the roof of the net. It was inventive, incisive Arsenal at their best.

And there was more to come. Within a couple of minutes it was 2-0 thanks to a classic counter-attack. Portsmouth had a free-kick that was headed clear by Diaby. He then roared forward as Arsenal broke and, by the time Fabregas had clipped a pass to Eboue on the right who squared the ball into the area, the Frenchman was on the penalty spot and able to sweep home a second.

Simple but brilliant football.

Arsenal were now threatening goals with every attack. A combination of Denilson and Fabregas somehow missed a low Fabregas cross in the following minutes. After that Arshavin nearly wriggled through, Van Persie produced an airshot when well-placed and Diaby tried his luck from distance.

On the half-hour, Kanu set up John Utaka at the near post but his shot was blocked by Eboue. However Arsenal were looking irresistible this afternoon and Van Persie replied with a deft control outside the area followed by a cute, curling shot that required all of James’ massive frame to tip the ball away.

The England keeper was similarly stretched in the 36th minute when Van Persie’s free-kick deflected off the wall and seemed destined for the top corner.

It was not exactly one-way traffic. Portsmouth were attacking with intent, but Arsenal seemed full of goals this afternoon. So Portsmouth’s strike, while not exactly a bolt from the blue, was entirely against the run of play.

The home side failed to clear a corner and Belhadj floated a cross to the far post where Kaboul bundled a header home. It was an old-fashioned goal and referee Steve Bennett allowed old-fashioned contact with Manuel Almunia in letting it stand.

The strike was a blow but Arsenal still had a strut about them. Van Persie shimmied himself free in the area two minutes from the whistle only to see his shot saved by the feet of James.

Fabregas felt his hamstring tighten at half-time and was replaced by Ramsey.

There was nearly a more significant change in the scoreline immediately after the restart. First Utaka went one-on-one with Gallas at the back and then went tumbling. If referee Bennett had ruled a foul against the Arsenal man then he was off. Fortunately he did not.

Seconds later Frederic Piquionne pounced on Gibbs’ indecision only to fire into the sidenetting. A decent chance.

They would be made to pay in bizarre circumstances as Arsenal extended their lead in the 51st minute.

Arshavin played over the free-kick, Van Persie flicked on, Vermaelen slid in at the far post but could only find Gallas, who kicked the ball into his own face and into the net.

The French centre back has scored in each of the opening three games but the last two have been laced with good fortune.

Arsenal were now searching for a goal to set the points in concrete. Eduardo shot straight at James while Van Persie had numerous chances to grab a fourth. However Portsmouth were refusing to lie down and only the timely intervention from Gibbs prevented Piquionne reducing the arrears midway through the half.

In the 69th minute, Arsenal did find their fourth when Van Persie split the Portsmouth defence and Ramsey raced through to slot home.

Wenger felt safe enough to substitute Arshavin and Eduardo for Bendtner and Fran Merida. Though just after making the changes Diaby picked up a knock that left the Arsenal midfielder ‘walking wounded’ for the next 10 minutes. Portsmouth were barely any better off with James having to be replaced by rookie Asmir Begovic.

To his credit, Piquionne had not given up. In the closing stages he shot straight at Almunia and then set up Utaka to sidefoot wide.

But the points belonged to Arsenal.

Wenger blasts Walcott pick

noreply@blogger.com (Yatz Persiegas) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:02:00 +0000

Arsene Wenger has blasted the decision to press Theo Walcott into action for the both the senior and under-21 England teams this summer as "selfish''.

CarlDeSouza/GettyImages

Walcott has yet to play this term

Arsenal boss Wenger has also warned that Walcott's injury absence, which the Frenchman attributes in part to his demanding international schedule, will have an effect on England as well as the Gunners.

Walcott turned out for Fabio Capello in the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra in June and was then selected by coach Stuart Pearce for the European Under-21 Championships in Sweden.

The forward has already missed the start of the Premier League campaign with a back strain and his continued absence will also rule him out of England's September 9 trip to face Croatia in Zagreb.

Wenger said: "It was a selfish decision by Pearce, he just wanted the results. I spoke to Capello and him and expressed my point of view to them.

"It was difficult because I couldn't really prevent Theo playing for the under-21s.''

"Now he is still unfit because he has not had a proper preparation for the new season.

"I'm not so much angry as frustrated. I cannot see the logic of it. Now both England and Arsenal have a handicap. It's why I didn't want him to play for the under-21s. After that we were under pressure to rush him back and he got hurt again.

"If he did not get back to us until July 29 and the season starts on August 15, how can he be fit in time? I knew I would have to start this season without him.''

Arsenal v Portsmouth - Match Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Yatz Persiegas) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:36:00 +0000

Everton away, Celtic away, Portsmouth home, Celtic home, Manchester United away, Manchester City away.

Arsenal’s opening six fixtures to a season have rarely - if ever - looked tougher. But hang on - at least Pompey is a home banker. Right?

Wrong. Arsène Wenger likes what he has seen from his team in the past week but he knows that the struggling south-coast club represent a potential pitfall.

Burnley’s shock midweek win over Manchester United was a reminder that the old cliché of ‘no easy games’ holds as true as ever in the Premier League. And last season’s home defeat against Hull City is fresh enough in the memory to ensure no complacency creeps into Arsenal’s performance this weekend.

Wenger’s number-crunching during the summer produced a number of telling stats but none more striking than Man United’s imperious home form. The champions dropped just seven points at Old Trafford all season and Arsenal will need to enjoy similar home comforts if they want to sustain a title challenge this time around. Rule No 1 is simple: don’t slip up against the so-called minnows.

“Last year if you look well we got a big blow against Hull at home because if we won that game we would have been top of the league,” recalled Wenger.

“On that day we didn’t do it and we never came back to the top of the league the whole season. We lost ground.

“I believe if you look at last season Arsenal and Liverpool on that front were a bit similar – too many draws at home. And too many draws at home loses you the championship.

“But I feel we have started well and we have shown some potential. I have seen in my team some ingredients that I like – a good team ethic, good quality of play. We have not played at home yet but considering we have started at Everton and Celtic we are happy of course to have two wins.”

Portsmouth are not exactly in freefall – they lost by the narrowest of margins against Fulham and Birmingham – but uncertainly reigns at Fratton Park.

The club’s ownership issues remain unresolved and a fire sale of players has left manager Paul Hart with few resources and, according to many observers, little chance of keeping Portsmouth out of the relegation zone.

Lassana Diarra, Jermain Defoe, Glen Johnson and Peter Crouch used to be the bedrock of the Pompey side but they now play as far afield as Madrid, Liverpool and North London.

Wenger sympathises with Hart but he insists that Pompey are not without hope.

“It is very difficult to lose your best players because you cannot offer them good contracts, that’s very difficult for a manager,” he said.

“I believe the first quality of a manager is to have good players. It is not enough but without that it’s an impossible task. It’s a needed condition for a good manager to work.

“When you lose your best players you lose a part of you as well. But I believe the club looks to have some problems more than the team. I saw their game at Birmingham and they had some good chances and played with spirit. I do not expect any weakness.”

Arsenal have half-a-dozen players sidelined for Saturday – Carlos Vela (ankle), Theo Walcott (back), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Samir Nasri (broken leg), Johan Djourou (knee) and Lukasz Fabianski (knee). But Eduardo could start after shrugging off the groin problem that forced his late withdrawal from the midweek win at Celtic.

Wenger can afford to shuffle his pack with a big squad at his disposal and a big week ahead - Celtic and Man United lie in wait after the weekend. But for now the Frenchman is looking no further than Saturday.

“We play at home and we know to be ambitious our home form will be vital. In our first home game of course we want to dictate the game the same way we did away from home,” he said.

Sixty-thousand fans at Emirates Stadium will expect nothing less.

Wenger - Too early to judge the Big Four

noreply@blogger.com (Yatz Persiegas) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:34:00 +0000

Arsène Wenger is not reading too much into early-season defeats for Arsenal’s ‘Big Four’ rivals.

Liverpool lost their opening match of the campaign, 2-1 at Tottenham last Sunday. And Manchester United came unstuck at Turf Moor on Wednesday night as newly-promoted Burnley pulled off a famous 1-0 victory.

Considering last season’s top two only lost six games between them in 2008/09, those results raised a few eyebrows and prompted questions of United and Liverpool’s title credentials. But Wenger insists it’s too early to make judgements over this year’s contenders.

“It is unusual [that they both lost] but they have played two difficult opponents – Tottenham for Liverpool and Burnley for Manchester United,” said the Frenchman.

“Burnley came up from the Championship and of course created some upsets last year.

“It [early defeats] can happen, but, we are in a marathon here and it just started.”

Celtic 0-2 Arsenal Report

noreply@blogger.com (Yatz Persiegas) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:44:00 +0000

Arsenal are on the cusp of the Champions League group stage after a hard-fought win at Parkhead on Tuesday night.

Arsène Wenger’s side controlled much of this high-octane first leg but they needed a slice of luck in either half to secure victory.

William Gallas deflected Cesc Fabregas’ shot past Artur Boruc to break the deadlock two minutes before the break and Gary Caldwell turned Gael Clichy’s cross past his own keeper to double the advantage with 20 minutes left.

There is work to be done – Dinamo Moscow won here in the previous round and were still eliminated – but Arsenal are now firm favourites to book their place in the group stage for a 12th consecutive year.

Wenger waited anxiously for news on the fitness of Fabregas, Denilson and Bacary Sagna on the morning of the match. All three picked up knocks at Everton; all three were passed fit to play. That allowed the Arsenal boss to name an unchanged line-up with Abou Diaby, back from a groin injury, among the substitutes.

Gloomy weather engulfed Glasgow ahead of the match but that was never going to dampen the spirits of the Parkhead crowd. Much was made of the “special noise” Celtic fans produce and they lived up to their billing here.

A wall of sound greeted the two teams as they emerged from the tunnel and the home fans cheered in expectation as well as hope. After all Celtic had only lost once in eight European ties against English opposition at this ground. Manchester United were vanquished three years ago; would Arsenal go the same way?

Predictably, Celtic snapped into tackles from the off but Arsenal matched them for graft with Denilson and Alex Song doing plenty of dirty work.

The home side’s plan was clear: get the ball wide to Shaun Maloney and Scott Brown and test the visitors with crosses into the area. That’s exactly what happened in the opening minutes as Maloney’s fizzing delivery flashed across the six-yard box.

It was a warning for Arsenal and they heeded it, closing down the Celtic wingers and keeping those crosses down to a minimum. With that avenue more or less closed off, Wenger’s side pushed forward to create opportunities of their own.

They were hard to come by. Massimo Donati’s hesitancy forced keeper Boruc to hurry one clearance with Fabregas lurking and Andrey Arshavin put the ball in the net from an offside position. The Russian cut inside to try his luck later in the half but a block took the sting out of his shot.

Indeed, Celtic were giving as good as they got. Only a wonderful last-ditch challenge from Thomas Vermaelen denied Brown as he prepared to full the trigger at the end of a pacy counter-attack. And the same man forced a save from Manuel Almunia with a low shot from 12 yards.

The two defences held sway and it took a big slice of luck to prise the teams apart. Fortunately, fortune favoured the Gunners.

Van Persie tapped a free-kick to Fabregas 30 yards from goal, the captain fired in a shot and the ball deflected off Gallas and into the corner. Boruc seemed to have Fabregas’ effort covered but he was left completely wrong-footed by the ball’s change of direction.

That would have made Arsenal’s half-time refreshment taste all the sweeter and they emerged for the second half seemingly determined to take the game away from Celtic.

Van Persie slid a shot just past Boruc’s left-hand post after Arshavin had charged through the centre and picked out the Dutchman. Denilson curled a fine effort just wide seconds later and Van Persie was back in the thick of it soon afterwards, scuffing a shot off target.

Bendtner tried his luck too but, once again, Arsenal needed a stroke of luck to break down their opponents.

It came 20 minutes from time when Clichy sped down the left and arrowed a cross towards the six-yard box. Van Persie and Bendtner were lurking but they weren’t needed as Caldwell turned the ball past Boruc.

It was tough on the hosts but Arsenal were worth their lead. The goals had been fortuitous but they controlled possession and territory after the break.

“We’re all going on a European tour!” was the chant from the away end. They are probably right – but there is still work to be done back at the Emirates.

Arsenal 6 1 Everton Highlights

noreply@blogger.com (Yatz Persiegas) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:36:00 +0000

Arsenal inflicted Everton's heaviest ever opening day defeat as they battered the Toffees 6-1 at Goodison Park.

Arsenal arrived on Merseyside with high hopes as manager Arsene Wenger stated he believes he has the squad to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title this season.

For Everton's David Moyes, the quest began to repeat the heroics of 2004/05 and break the stranglehold the big four have on the Champions League positions.

Without investment and any significant signings though, many now fear even building on last season's success of fifth in the league and an FA Cup Final appearance will be nigh on impossible.

Everton were forced to start the season without long-term absentees Mikel Arteta, Victor Anichebe, Phil Jagielka and Yakubu, while Arsenal arrived minus England star Theo Walcott, Abou Diaby, Johann Djourou, Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky.

The first 25 minutes of this encounter were as drab as one can possibly remember between these two sides.

Arsenal were pretty to watch as always but completely ineffectual in front of goal while Everton played with a predictability that reflected their limited first-team options.

On 26 minutes, Denilson came up with a goal so impressive it wiped out the memory of the previous period in a flash.

He received the ball from Cesc Fabregas 20 yards out after great work by Nicklas Bendtner and unleashed a shot that Tim Howard had no chance of getting to.

Afterwards Everton applied slightly more pressure on Manuel Almunia's goal but it was Arsenal not the Toffees who added to their tally.

In fact they added two more before half-time as they hit their stride and both would have had David Moyes spitting blood so cheaply were they given away.

On 37 minutes new signing Thomas Vermaelen connected with a Robin van Persie free-kick to plant a free header from six yards past Howard.

Four minutes later the same trick was repeated, but this time the performers were Fabregas and William Gallas.

The shambolic Everton players actually looked scared to leave the pitch at half-time, knowing as they did the vitriol of a furious Moyes awaited them in the dressing room.

Everton retook the field with a purpose that lasted all of two minutes as they got in front of the Arsenal goal, promptly lost the ball and watched Denilson run up field, lay off to van Persie who crossed to Fabregas who put it past Howard.

The introduction of Jack Rodwell, Louis Saha and Dan Gosling after an hour give a slight hope of a consolation as Steven Pienaar and Rodwell had chances on goal, but ultimately it was academic as Everton fell to their heaviest defeat on an opening day at Goodison since the legendary Tom Finney scored two as Preston North End beat the Blues 4-0 in August 1955.

For good measure, Fabregas popped in a peach for his second and Arsenal's fifth as he ran up field, picked his spot and buried the ball past Howard.

Then to top it, Eduardo Da Silva scored in the dying minutes to make it 6-0 after Andrey Arshavin had hit the post.

Saha scored an consolation on 90 minutes but it could not mask a woeful first day for the Toffees.

Arsenal vs Atlectico Madrid (2-1) - Emirates Cup 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Yatz Persiegas) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:26:00 +0000

Andrey Arshavin struck twice in the final four minutes as Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 to end Day One on top of the Emirates Cup standings.

To be honest, little had happened in this game before Jack Wilshere’s introduction at half time. The teenage midfielder tantalised the Spanish defence for 45 minutes however it would be a Russian who won the game for the home side.

Arshavin seemed to have done that in the 86th minute when he volleyed in from a Cesc Fabregas cross however German Pacheco levelled seconds later.

A draw seemed certain but, then again, nothing is certain with Arshavin on the pitch. In the dying seconds, he raced onto an errant backheader, flicked the ball past the keeper and squeezed the ball home from an almost impossible angle.

It was four minutes of madness after a pretty mundane 86. But it was good enough to win the game and puts Arsenal in pole position to regain their home trophy.

Wenger always intended to spread his squad across this two-game weekend but, nonetheless, his side this afternoon was reasonably strong.

The most significant news was the return of Tomas Rosicky after 19 months away. Thomas Vermaelen had been forced off at the end of the friendly at Hannover on Wednesday and, as a result, did not appear today. The formation was the now established wide 4-3-3 but this time Robin van Persie was flanked on the left by Nicklas Bendtner and on the right by Emmanuel Eboue.

Atletico started with Diego Forlan up front and Jose Antonio Reyes on the right. The former Manchester United forward was never going to be that popular among the home crowd but the announcement of the latter was cheered by the Emirates faithful. Reyes had a record of 23 goals in 110 appearances during his three years at Highbury.

It was the Spaniard who provided the first telling moment of the game. In the sixth minute, Reyes took the corner from the right, Raul Garcia nodded on at the near post and Sergio Aguero sent his header into the sidenetting at the far. A player of his stature should have done better.

Rosicky nearly had a made an immediate impact on his return but, despite his finger-wagging protestations to the assistant referee, he was correctly called offside before slamming the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area.

It was a bright beginning but it could not be maintained. Opportunities were scarce in a mundane first 45 minutes.

Forlan and Florent Sinama-Pongolle both had half-chances with headers. However, generally, Arsenal were the slicker side.

That said, the most they could muster was a curling cross from Armand Traore than caused Atletico keeper Sergio Asenjo to bat the ball away while Van Persie had a free-kick deflected over.

Three minutes from the break, the Dutchman fed Eboue on the left. The Ivorian cut in and fired straight at Asenjo, who stood firm.

Wenger replaced Rosicky, Eboue and Traore with Wilshere, Fran Merida and Gael Clichy at the start of the second half.

The latter pair were playing their first pre-season games of 2009/10. While the first of the trio, Wilshere, showed class from the off as Arsenal took control.

Three minutes in he sent Sagna clear on the right and the full back’s low cross was backflicked towards goal by Van Persie only for John Heitinga to knock the ball off the line.

Almost immediately, Bendtner controlled Wilshere’s lofted cross at the far post and blazed over when, at least, he should have employed the keeper.

Just past the hour, substitute Maxi Rodriguez sent in a shot from distance and Mannone could only half-punch the ball behind.

However within seconds Clichy sent over a tantalising cross from the left and Wilshere fooled his marker on the byline before laying the ball back to Ramsey. The Welshman had time and space, on reflection perhaps too much. His powerful shot was a parried by Asenjo.

It was Ramsey’s last contribution. He joined Bendtner and Van Persie as they were replaced by Eduardo, Arshavin and Fabregas.

It was perhaps the boost Arsenal needed. Within seconds Wilshere clipped another clever ball to the far post and Merida slid in seconds too late.

Both sides went for the win towards the end. Rodriguez fired a shot across the face of goal then Mannone parried a swerving drive from Borja Baston on to the bar.

Four minutes from time, Arshavin had seemingly won it won he volleyed in a Fabregas cross but Pacecho’s breakaway strike proved otherwise.

So Arshavin did what Arshavin does – he won it again. The 27-year-old raced on to a misplaced backheader, beat the keeper and turned to ball home.

An incredible finish. Roll on Sunday.