Saturday, 16 July 2011

Hangzhou Greentown 1-1 Arsenal: Samir Nasri starts for Gunners as Carlos Vela scores again in pre-season draw


The Mexican striker levelled the game just before half-time, but a poor defensive showing costs Arsene Wenger's side in their second pre-season friendly in China.

Arsenal had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their second pre-season friendly after failing to overcome a battling Hangzhou Greentown side.

Hangzhou took advantage of a lapse in Arsene Wenger's defence with the hosts taking the lead from a messy set-piece.

The Gunners came back with one of their own just before half-time through Carlos Vela, but failed secure the win after a flurry of missed chances in the last 45 minutes.

The home side began the game positively, utilising the long-ball well up the field, forcing the Gunners’ goalkeeper Vito Mannone to pull off a save on the ground when one such pass found a striker in green.

Hangzhou channelled their attacking football to take the lead on 14 minutes. Mannone and his defence failed to deal with a free-kick deep into the Arsenal box, allowing Sebastian Vazquez to hit home easily past the grounded goalkeeper.

Samir Nasri came close to having the visitors' first real chance of the game 36 minutes in with a wild volley on the turn just outside the area, but the ambitious effort zipped past the wrong side of the post.

The north London outfit brought the game level after Andrey Arshavin lifted the ball into the box for Robin van Persie and although his immediate shot was saved by the stretching Hangzhou ‘keeper, Vela ran in just in time to poke the ball in on the rebound.

Arsene Wenger’s side had a chance to go 2-1 up just after the restart after a stinging shot from Aaron Ramsey was spilled towards the far post by the outstretched Gu Chao, but the ball dribbled across goal and was cleared efficiently by the Hangzhou defence.

Theo Walcott should have scored his second goal of pre-season after a double effort, but the young forward had his first effort saved and could only shoot over the bar on the next.
Arsenal went onto miss a handful of chances that could of won them the game and had to settle for the draw.

Source: www.goal.com

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