I'm even more glad I didn't go given that the football wasn't all that. The Jocks made a bit of noise for the first game (Rangers 1-0 Paris St Germain) but not that many hung around for the second match which saw the mighty Arse take on Athletico Madrid who were kitted out in their all black kit. Bobby Robson was duly acknowledged with a 'period of appreciation' which translates as polite applause from one and all - so much better than a minutes silence I feel. So black armbands were the order of the day for this game. Disappointingly the Elvis dirge was still played pre-match. Mark Clattenburg (suspended last season was our fussy ref for this encounter). A crowd of 54,254 was claimed but I'd have guessed it was nearer 44,000 by looking at all the gaps.
Rosicky scored an offside goal after 5 minutes, which was a shame because it would have been a great welcome back had it counted. Tomas was quite lively and showed glimpses of his old self which is promising for the up-coming season. Some of our players looked a tad jaded which is often the case in pre-season friendlies because of all the intense training they've undergone. The game was fairly competitive and notable for the return of Jose Antonio Reyes who was pointlessly booed by some. Early doors his corner was flicked on to Aguero beyond the far post who could only find Manonne's right hand post with his effort. It was as near as Athletico came for quite some time. There were chances for Robin including a free kick that found a head in the wall. Eboue had a shot at the keeper instead of placing it. All in all some half decent play from Ramsey, a very creditable return for Tomas but nothing to excite from either side. The whistle happy Clattenburg probably didn't help too much either. No goals at half time.
Three changes at half time and one of them, Jack Wilshere, proved to be the man of the match. Jack played wide right and immediately livened everything up with telling crosses, neat passes and some fine running with the ball. He is just such a natural, a nailed on England International before he'll celebrate his twenty-first birthday, and he may even get some Premiership games for us this season coming at the ripe old age of 17. One great angled cross found Bendtner who pulled the ball out of the air really well, but his shot from a narrow angle was well over. Mannone had little to do for most of the game but he got busier as the game went on. Merida who'd also come on at half time put in a good half and looks to be quite a prospect. Great ball in from Sagna to Robin whose back heel was goal bound but cleared off the line. Madrid played a very high line and caught Arsenal offside quite a bit, a surprise to some given that our ex-Togolese was supposed to be the prime cause of all the offside flags against us. A good corner from Robin and Rick O'Shea nearly scored via Djourou. Brilliant play by Wilshere set up Aaron but he took too much time and his shot was saved. Great tackle by Johan on Forlan who was breaking fast. Or three big stars arrived on 66 minutes, well I say big but with an average height of about four foot two Arshavin, Fabregas and Eduardo are hardly the biggest, vertically speaking. One of those tedious Mexican waves lapped the stadium as Arsenal controlled more and more of the game without supplying the killer finish.
We very nearly lost it as first Maxi Rodriguez shot wide and then Manonne got lucky with a shot from range that moved a couple of ways at once. Finally on 85 minutes Cesc picked out the unmarked Andrey on the left of the box. Andrey had pulled away and found the space, Cesc picked him out with great left footed pass which the Russian put away with his left peg. Well taken, well struck and very well placed, but I felt their keeper who got a hand to it might have done more. So game over then. Well no actually because we don't concentrate at the back, we don't have that 'they shall not pass resolve' and are always a sucker for a ball down the middle. And that's exactly how Athletico scored an 87th minute equaliser with Pacecho slotting home unchallenged as Gallas and co did their best statutes impersonation. What a bummer - points dropped! Well actually no because our little Russian read a poorly placed back header skipped it past the keeper and managed to tuck it home from the most outrageusly ridiculous of angles from beyond the far post. 2-1 Arsenal, 89 minutes gone and thankfully refs for some strange reason don't play added time in friendlies it seems. Why is that? So we top the table of a meaningless tournament thanks to goals scored and if we beat Rangers on Sunday we win some silverware. You do remember silverware don't you?
So a happy ending to a moderate display, but this is all about getting fit for bigger things to come. Clearly they're not all quite match sharp as yet but they're getting there and also getting nearer to playing our first eleven, whatever that line up might be. No doubt they'll all have got themselves fit enough to get injured in the ridiculously timed internationals just prior to the season's kick off.
If someone could explain why Denilson has to play 90 minutes in what seems like every pre-season game I'd be obliged. Is it because he's the only one fit enough to do so?
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