Well what a boost that will be for Arsenal, in finishing off their 2016 pre-season campaign with a grinding 3-2 victory over Manchester City.
Arsenal came up against fellow Premier League title rivals Manchester City in Sweden, in what was both club’s final fixture of their respective pre-season campaigns. It was a game that held many positives as well as a few negatives, but overall Arsenal can be pleased to have got one over their rivals right before the start of the new premier league campaign.
The game swung one way and then another, with City leading 1-0 at half time. Arsenal then turned it around and lead 3-1 in the final minutes before City pulled another goal back in rather sloppy fashion from Arsenal’s part.
Arsenal’s goals had creative instinct (as well as a plenty of luck on the third), whilst I think Manchester City’s second was a poor goal for Arsenal to concede. The defence switched off having thought that the game was done and dusted, and the back line allowed City to attack straight from the off. A small defensive lapse from Arsenal in the first half also gifted the run of Aguero to finish off in style.
Arsenal also wasted a number of good opportunities in the first half before City took the lead, with the Ox, Ramsey and Coquelin all having great chances to score. It seemed as if we were going to struggle with taking our chances once again, an issue that has been present at Arsenal for the last few years due to a lack of an out and out striker.
One major concern on Arsenal’s front is the injury to Gabriel, who had to be taken off the pitch in the final seconds with what seemed to be a very nasty injury. We will have to wait and see what the extent of the injury is to the Brazilian, but with Mertesacker already out for the long term, as well as Koscielny’s absence, will this latest injury finally force Wenger to make a move in the market?
Arsenal will take many positives from today’s performance and hopefully it gives the players a big boost ahead of the first game against Liverpool.
By AH