Neither side held back in the standard pre-season mode but rather tackled like they meant it and not a player on the pitch was out for a stroll but charging around as if it were a real game being played for real points. With Louis van Gaal as their manager and close to their new league season you just know they were to be no pushover and Gary Lewin's numerous excursions were proof positive, along with their physio of course.
I didn't quite see all of the first half, but a couple of Almunia flaps and a headed goal scored by Arsenal were the main talking points apart from a bit of rusty shooting. Reyes on the ball for a free-kick, deep and a bit left swerved a high ball in that curled away beyond the far post to deceive their keeper. Gilberto climbed well headed down and it was caught eventually under the keeper but only after it had crossed the line. 0-1 Arsenal. Had the referee been less lenient it's quite possible a few players would have been in the book. Exactly what we needed prior to a tough away test in a Champions League qualifier. There were only numbers, no names, on our yellow away shirts with the new advertising this evening so no further squad clues to be seen here.
Hoyte came on for Flamini at half time and the pace remained high tempo. Our second goal was a creative move principally down our left. Cesc played it up to Robin, who put it out wide to Jose who found Gilberto on a great run down the left channel. Silva's shot was not gloriously saved by their substitute keeper and Adebayor was able to tap home because his run anticipated the possibility of something happening. 0-2 Arsenal and top marks to our captain of the night for a very well-timed Brazilian run.
Van Persie had a cracking shot from close range that had the keeper well beaten but hit the inside of both posts before coming out again. Robin looked seriously sharp and always our most likely to score. Finally he did. He tried to cut around the keeper and as a result got himself a penalty, which he put away hard and low into the corner. AZ Alkmaar 0-3 Arsenal final score.
The Arsenal team that started in a 4-4-2 formation:
Almunia, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Flamini, Hleb, Cesc, Gilberto captain, Reyes, van Persie and Adebayor.
Subs used: Hoyte, Poom, Song, Cygan, Aliadiere, Traore and two minutes for Mark Randal(?).
You will notice of course that Walcott didn't play, which means nothing because neither did Rosicky. Both will play when they're ready.