France striker Olivier Giroud netted a first-half hat-trick as
Arsenal continued their pre-season schedule with a 7-1 win over a
Vietnam XI at the My Dinh National Stadium.Giroud, who had scored
a brace in the Gunners' 7-0 romp over an Indonesian Dream Team at the
weekend, put the tourists ahead inside five minutes after collecting a
pass from Tomas Rosicky.Arsenal - with Bacary Sagna deployed at
centre-half - had to wait until just before the break to further extend
their lead, as Lukas Podolski saw an effort chalked out for offside and
then hit the post.Giroud eventually made it 2-0 after 44 minutes,
and then completed his treble with another neat finish from Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain's pass after Anh Duc had missed the home side's best
chance.Following the restart, England midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain slotted in number four after being set-up by Theo Walcott.After
a number of anticipated substitutions, England under-19 international
Chuba Akpom scored a quickfire double (56, 59), the 17-year-old having
replaced Giroud.England midfielder Jack Wilshere then made his
first appearance of the tour after he came on for Oxlade-Chamberlain
just after the hour mark.With 15 minutes left, defender Ignasi
Miquel converted number seven after a powerful run and cross from
attacking German midfielder Thomas Eisfeld.The fanatical home
crowd finally had something to cheer when Tran Manh Dung's effort looped
up over substitute goalkeeper Damian Martinez, before the closing
stages were played out in a thunderstorm.There was still time for
Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Buu Ngoc to be shown a red card after he
handled outside his area as Wilshere ran clear on goal.
Source: DSG