Arsenal 0 – 1 Juventus: Minute by Minute
4 comments August 3rd, 2008
15.56 Well, the teams are in, and it’s a very young line-up indeed. I can’t quite work out whose playing where – it depends whether or not it’s Kieran Gibbs or Emmanuel Eboue who reverts to full-back. Either way, Eboue will be where he ought to be: in the reserve line-up. Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela will carry the teams’ attacking hopes, whilst the crowd will be excited to see new boy Aaron Ramsey and 16-year-old Jack Wilshere.
16.11 This is a game between Juve’s experience and our superior fitness and (one would hope) enthusiasm. It’s essentially a European Carling Cup tie.
16.31 It is Gibbs at left-back, as I suspected. So far we’ve looked dangerous, with Nicklas Bendtner having a couple of good early touches;
16.32 Jack Wilshere just leapt for a high ball with Momo Sissoko. I can only assume it was more in hope than expectation.
16.38 20-year old veteran Bendtner just pulled rank to take a free-kick in an excellent position. The ball will never be seen again.
16.48 The game is heating up now. Bendtner flashed a shot wide from twenty yards before a clever turn from Aaron Ramsey allowed him to hammer a shot against Buffon. Lukasz Fabianski then did well to pluck a cross from the head of David Trezeguet.
16.56 Trezeguet nods in but is offside. Fabianski worries me, you know. Doesn’t seem to come for crosses with enough conviction.
16.57 Emmanuel Eboue is rubbish.
16.58 This time it is a goal. Iaquinta’s free-kick reaches Trezeguet, who appears to be offside but diverts the ball in. 1-0. Against the run of play, to be honest.
17.05 I quite like Gibbs as a left-back. He seems to have more of a natural defensive instinct than, say, Armand Traore. Or anyone called Hoyte.
17.09 Half-time. The kids have acquitted themselves well – a fact reinforced by Sky Sports’ Jeff Stelling, who says “Arsenal are in danger of being mugged by The Old Lady”. Top presenteration.
17.23 Diaby, Gallas, and Adebayor are coming on for the second half for Vela, Senderos, and Ramsey. I am fairly sure I heard Adebayor roundly booed by the fans when his name was read out before kick-off. I really don’t think that’s neccessary. Anyhow, I’m most intrigued to see how Diaby manages on a rare appearance in central midfield.
17.24 Bendtner heads wide from a good Wilshere cross. Adebayor is being booed. Hm.
17.28 The boos are coming from a minority. That’s a relief to me. If he’s staying we need to move on. Good start to the second half from Arsenal.
17.31 Johan Djorou just obliterated Chiellini with a hilariously late challenge. Fortunately, the ref saw fit to play advantage.
17.32 Some clever interplay got Hoyte in on the right hand side, but his cross just eluded Denilson, who was probably offside anyway. Not that it seems to matter to this linesman.
17.33 Alan Smith was just talking about how everyone regards Theo Walcott as a future striker. Perhaps I’m alone in this but I’m increasingly convinced he will end up on the wing…
17.35 The ease with which Wilshere has stepped up to this level is extraordinary.
17.35 Why does Eboue ever shoot? Does he think he might score? Maybe he thought by not passing to Adebayor he could endear himself to the fans. Nasri, Sagna and Walcott are about to come on. I have such high hopes for our new number 8. Praying for another Pires. No pressure there, then.
17.37 It’s good to see Djourou fit and taking a full part in pre-season. Fabianski is terrifying.
17.38 Walcott, Nasri and Sagna replace Eboue, Hoyte, and Wilshere. Only Almunia, Toure, Clichy, Fabregas, and van Persie now missing from what’s probably our strongest XI.
17.42 Bacary Sagna just looped a cross to the far post and Adebayor rose high but could not power the header past Buffon. The way the supporters roared as he went up is indicative of the fact that what happens on the pitch will always hold more sway over fans than anything else. Thank God.
17.47 Neat pass from Adebayor played Walcott in but he could find the onrushing Samir Nasri. Perhaps a shot would’ve been a better option. Walcott is truly an Arsenal player, then.
17.50 Just noticed that William Gallas has removed his mohican. And, seemingly, attached it to Henry Lansbury’s head whilst the teenage midfielder slept.
17.54 A cross-shot from Bendtner forces Buffon into an awkward palm away. Fifteen minutes to turn this round…
17.55 Nasri and Walcott have swapped flanks. Nasri probably needs to learn to keep it simple. Or, as the French say: “simple”.
17.58 Adebayor and Bendtner combine well but the African volleys over.Â
18.09 In the last minute, Adebayor bends an effort just wide. It’s now full-time, and after the first day of the tournament, Arsenal are bottom.
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Arsene’s thoughts here. The Guns will hopefully be fixed soon.
