Gunners beat Atletico

01 August 2009 18:27
Andrey Arshavin came off the bench to net a late double as Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the Emirates Cup. The Russian, introduced in the second half, produced two superb finishes as the Gunners maintained their promising build-up to the new campaign. There was also a welcome home return for Czech winger Tomas Rosicky, who had been out of action for some 18 months with a string of niggling injuries - and his availability for the build-up to the new campaign will be welcome boost to manager Arsene Wenger following the loss of Samir Nasri to a broken leg. Wenger had named a mixed side, which included Vito Mannone in goal and Robin van Persie, last season's leading scorer, as captain with Cesc Fabregas one of 10 substitutes. The Gunners have seen Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure depart for Manchester City, but eventually made their dominance pay when Arshavin slipped in a late winner. The Gunners looked to have snatched the game with just four minutes left when Fabregas lofted the ball over to the back post from the right, where Arshavin arrived to volley past Sergio Asenjo. However, German Pacheco beat the offside trap, somewhat dubiously, to slot in an equaliser. There was, though, just enough time for Arshavin to latch onto a poor backward header from Tomas Ujfalusi and tap the ball round the keeper before sliding it into the net from the tightest of angles. Arsenal play Rangers on Sunday, with the Scottish champions having beaten Paris St Germain in the Emirates Cup opening game.

Source: Eurosport