Match report:Gunners lack the hunger against Szombathelyi

To say it was an experimental side that lined up against Hungarian unknowns Szombathelyi Haladás this evening is an understatement.

 

Manuel Almunia took charge in goal, while the two full backs were also our strongest first team choices, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy. But in the centre of defence brothers Gavin and Justin Hoyte were woeful during a first half that saw the Hungarians take the lead due to complete naivety in central defence.

 

In midfield, Arsene Wenger gave Aaron Ramsey another early run out, alongside Denilson, Theo Walcott and 16-year-old rising star Jack Wilshere. Or should that be shooting star? Wilshere was lively again and although he can't break Cesc Fabregas's record of being the Gunners' youngest ever player in a competitive game (16 years 177 days), I can't see him being too far behind that if he can continue to impress us Gooners and, more to the point, Arsene Wenger with his vision and superbly weighted passes.

 

Up front Nicklas Bendtner looked fit, while Carlos Vela enjoyed his first game for the Gunners and looked eager to impress despite an obvious lack of sharpness.

 

Unsurprisingly Gael Clichy seems to have returned in tip top condition and was easily the Arsenal's best played in the first half. I wouldn't bet against the Frenchman grabbing his first goal in Arsenal colours sooner rather than later.

 

Back to tonight's friendly however, and it was Bendtner and Walcott who combined for the latter to notch the visitors' equaliser with a cooly finished shot dinked inside the post.

 

Elsewhere there wasn't much to say about the first 45 minutes apart from a couple of missed chances for both teams, but neither side stamped their authority on the game despite the obvious gulf in class.

 

On the bench Le Boss had Vito Mannone, Mark Randall, Francis Coquelin, Henri Lansbury, Armand Traore and Jay Simpson to call on and only the latter two remained on the bench at the restart with Almunia, Gavin Hoyte, Ramsay and Vela making way for their teammates.

 

Just after the hour mark Bendtner and Wilshere made way for the remaining duo on the bench.

 

I'd love to say that the Gunners started to take control as Hungarian legs tired, but it simply wasn't the case, although Coquelin again looked like a decent purchase and showed that he is up for the fight. But the most entertaining element of Arsenal TV's coverage was the commentary of Perry Groves.

 

Quite what Wenger will take as a positive from the game, I'm not sure, but for me the only thing I can come up with is that the Hoyte brothers positively should not play in the centre of defense together and Gael Clichy should maybe be allowed to take more free kicks. Given his effort on goal from about 20 yards out, Kolo Toure might have some competition.

 

All in all though it was a fairly straightforward run out for the Arsenal players and will no doubt help them regain a bit of match fitness. I don't think too many people who watched the game will be grumbling about the 1-1 scoreline, but the Gunners need to improve several hundred percent before the new season kicks off.

Could a new tournament satisfy global aspirations?

Much has been written about the desire of Premier League clubs to increase their fan bases overseas as part of the global branding environment in which we all live these days.

Last season there was even talk of a 39th game for the league, where cities around the world would be able to bid for the right to stage a Premier League match for a fistful of dollars. While I'm against that particular idea, I'm not against a new trophy being created whereby Premier League teams could share in the revenue from a tournament played in stages overseas.

I know most of you will think such an idea preposterous, but as playing games overseas becomes inevitable for greedy club chairmen, I think it would be more palatable for us fans if it did not contribute to the outcome of the Premier League table.

My suggestion would be a pre-season tournament involving the 17 clubs who survive in the Premier League each year, plus the winners of the Championship, making a total of 18 clubs. Those clubs could be split into groups of three and would be joined by a club from the host city or country to play a mini-tournament in late July/earlyAugust. The winners of each group could then play two further mini groups of three teams each in January/February, with the finalists playing in a showpiece game in the highest bidding city at the end of the regular season.

Now before you start sending the hate mail, just think of how the big clubs view the Carling Cup these days - giving valuable experience to the younger players in their squads. Indeed, look at the FA Cup. I don't agree with the way in which the big four have de-prioritised that competition, but like it or lump it, that's what they have done.

So why not create a new competition that would allow the English clubs to expand their fan bases abroad, put up a significant lump sum for the winners and structure it in such a way that us fans could even plan holidays to exotic places, with the added luxury of seeing our beloved clubs in action.

I've just returned from a few days break and spotted quite a few Arsenal shirts. Admittedly, I was only in the south of France, but I can't recall the last time I went abroad and did not see someone wearing Arsenal colours. Even when I was last in my home town in Scotland I saw a few people wearing the famous red and white - and that's a sight you would never have seen a few years ago.

My point is that thanks to Arsene Wenger and the style of football the Gunners play, the team now has millions of admirers outside of England and if Arsenal Football Club are going to properly capitalise on that situation, then I'm afraid we're going to have to contemplate taking our players on the road. If every team in the Premier League had to do likewise, then the arguments about whether it would damage our prospects for the season begin to disappear.

Barking up the wrong tree, or just plain barking? Let me know what your thoughts are on tapping into the potential of our global fan base. Is a new tournament the answer, or are you in favour of the so-called 39th step? Or perhaps you strongly believe that enough is enough and it's time to put an end to the greed and stick to the traditional trophies - league, FA Cup and Europe. Share your comments here

Nasri talks up Arsenal - take note Adebayor

He may only have been at the club for a matter of hours, but new signing Samir Nasri is already talking the talk, with all the excitement of a kid being introduced to his new games console.

I'm not wishing to be disrespectful to Marseilles, but Arsenal are renowned for having some of the best facilities and support mechanisms in the world for their playing staff and that's obviously struck a chord with Nasri who having visited Emirates Stadium and the training centre at London Colney, joined his new team mates for the first time yesterday and proclaimed that he is at an "immense club"

He told reporters: "I'm so excited. I'm discovering my new team-mates. But I'm not lost at all, with all those Frenchmen. Today I'm very happy to be a Gunner. I have joined an immense club where there's everything to achieve great things. I'm delighted to be part of this new adventure. Arsenal are a reference point."

Now I'm not too sure what he means about Arsenal being a reference point, but maybe someone has given him an A-Z map of London as part of his welcome package and he's found the Arsenal tube station. But the 21-year-old was a bit clearer when it came to the man who helped persuade him to continue his career across La Manche.

"He's been decisive," Nasri said of Arsene Wenger. "He represents stability and continuity. We understand we can work on the long term with him. I think he's been at Arsenal for 13 years. It means the world. I was looking for that kind of guarantee to advance my career. I didn't want to go to a club, even a legendary one, where everything could change from one day to another."

He added: "I know Arsene Wenger's going to help me improve. He has had a lot of success with other French players, especially youngsters he helped blossom."

It's not just the French he's had success with Samir, it's also the Spanish, Swiss, Ivorian, Swedish, German, hell even the English. But there are certain Togolese and Belarussian players who could learn a thing or two from you, Samir, when it comes to talking about their employer. Arsenal are a great football club, with the best coach in the world and it's great to hear a new player pay tribute to that, rather than some sad former player who suddenly realises how good it was six months after leaving the club.