Arsene Wenger must have been happy to see his wards continue their pre-season preparations with a dominant performance against Ligue 1 side Lyon. Arsenal brushed aside the French side with a 6-0 friendly win.
There were goals for Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain, Mesut Ozil and a late one for Santi Cazorla. But, what must have been a sweet outcome for Wenger is the goal for winger Alex Iwobi. The 19-year-old scored his first goal for Arsenal and the expectation within the club is that it is the first of many.
Wenger’s side played with style and never let Lyon any bit of freedom to come into the game; although the visitors were rusty. The Gunners opened the scoring on the half-hour mark when the French forward Giroud headed from a free-kick by Ozil. The Frenchman was then involved in the second goal that was scored by Oxlade-Chamberlain. Giroud gave a wonderful through ball to Ox who slotted it easily to the corner.
This should give confidence to Giroud who must be watching the rumours of impending bid to sign his fellow international Karim Benzema with interest. He must be eager to prove a point to Wenger that he deserves a chance to lead the line and may be do well in big games. This match is in no way a big game but can give a lot of confidence to Giroud.
It should also give confidence to Nigeria-born Iwobi who scored a wonderfully constructed team move. Ramsey also scored from a superbly-timed run. Ozil would then add a fifth in the second half to cap a great day for the German international. Cazorla rounded off the scoring by scoring with a free-kick.
The performance comes against a side which is still easing into pre-season action. If the game is an indicator of how the Gunners can play, then the first impressions are really good. The goals will surely put Wenger at ease but he may still think about signing a proven goal scorer.
If we leave the intricacies of this being a pre-season game and nothing more than a friendly, it should be seen as the first steps of Iwobi. He is the nephew of former Bolton forward Jay-Jay Okacha and back in Nigeria is considered to be the one for the future. Time only will tell if he will be able to fulfill his potential.
So now who will start against Wolfsburg? Cech and Wilshere are certain….
Sridhar