Arsenal got their pre-season underway this past week and they did that in great style by tearing apart Everton 3-1 to win the Barclays Asia Trophy 2015. On back of a 4-0 win over Singapore Select XI on Wednesday courtesy of hat-trick from Chuba Akpom and Penalty by Jack Wilshere aka Mr Arsenal, Gunners started the game in convincing fashion though Wenger only retained Jack in starting XI for final.
The players looked surprisingly sharp given that it was their first match after more than a month. The quality of performance was also better than what we endured in the early days of last season. Goals from Walcott, Santi and Özil was also very well taken. Petr Cech's debut got a little rusty as he conceded from an effort by Ross Barkeley who caught him off guard for a far post finish.
The main objective of giving minutes to every player was also achieved as every one got on field to kick the ball. However one of the most pleasing aspect over the tour was presence of Eight players on pitch at the same time who have represented Arsenal at U18 level. The football on display by the young guns of academy in the final 20-25 minutes of first game was very promising. All in all, the footballing aspect in this summer, which should be going well is all going good.
In transfer news, we are not close to signing anyone nor do we have any specific target to chase. Benzema and Lacazette were linked but Wenger quashed the former and the latter did it for himself. Regarding offloads, Sanogo is off for a season-long pilgrimage to Ajax to link up with God and learn some of the football artistry from Dennis Bergkamp. Let's hope that lad taps into his potential that Wenger believes in under the tutelage of legend.
Will be back soon. Until then.
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