The Emirates Cup began on a winning note. It was good to see Tomas Rosicky back in the side and he did not do badly in the first half of play.
Wenger employed a 4-3-3 with Eboue, RVP, and Bendtner up front. But things really took off when Jack Wilshere came on in the second half. The sedate pace picked up. Things got heavy duty with Eduardo, Fabregas and Arshavin were introduced in the 66 minute. Suddenly Arsenal was humming. It was Fabregas combining with Arshavin as the Russian slid home a half volley in the 86 minute that Asenjo could no keep out. But Arsenal let in Atletico on a terrible defensive lapse that saw German Pacheco burst through and sidefoot the ball past Vito Mannone. Wenger was livid!
Then came Arshavin’s second goal and match winner in the last minute. The Russian chased his half volley and just when it seemed it was going over the right sideline, he slid and managed to squeeze the ball from a virtually zero angle turning it into the left hand corner of goal. It all took place in a flash. Russian roulette anyone?