Amsterdam Trophy: Seville 1 Arsenal 1
For the majority of the game, Capel and Navas were like picador and banderillero, tormenting Arsenal like a young bullock, until Ernesto Javier Shavanton acted the matador and beat the heroic Fabianski with nine minutes to go.
The majority of the starters were from the home countries – five English and a Welshman (how many press headlines will emphasise that?). The team had an average age of 19.5.
The tone was set in the third minute when Vela, showing his tenacity, mobility and strength, closed down quickly, got a rebound from Konko and ran in from the left flank firing into the Seville net.
But increasingly it was one-way traffic, as the experienced Spanish side constructed move after move. They had 22 attempts on goal alone in the second half.
The Arsenal youngsters are technically proficient, but in terms of team dynamics there wasn’t an emerging leader who could shape and change the circumstances.
It was a baptism of fire for central midfield pairing Randall and Ramsey. The Welshman at times wanted too long on the ball, with the Englishman at times late in the tackle. As the game progressed Arsenal couldn’t hold it in midfield, meaning wave after wave of Seville attacks.
Wilshere set up Bendtner in the third minute but his cross shot was saved.
After the goal Crespo raced down the right, taking advantage of a Hoyte-Wilshere mix up and crossed to Fabiano who shot over on 9.
Soon after Ramsey was closed down and gave it away dangerously – but Fabiano‘s shot was defected wide.
Wilshere had a chance on the 18 yard line but sidefooted instead of blasting a neat Bendtner lay off. And Ramsey had a shot from the same position blocked. But soon after sent a brilliant curling ball to pick out Bendtner’s run.
Senderos blocked Kone and got a yellow for his troubles.
Wilshere showed his body strength by holding off players and at times moving past them with his low centre of gravity.
Fabianski saved point blank from a Navas cross and a Kone flick. And Djourou made a last ditch tackle on Kone. Randall made a dangerous tackle on Navas which in normal circumstances would have been a penalty.
Djourou then blocked a Fabiano shot. And soon after the Brazilian hit a Capel cross wide.
Fabianski for once missed a cross and Fabiano hit it wide-again.
At the start of the second half, Romaric and Squillaci, Shevanton came on – adding more experience. And it was more of the same.
The tone was set when Randall tripped Capel and got a yellow.
Fabianski dived bravely at the feet of Kone and Randall flashed a header just over -his own bar!
A Chevanton shot was tipped over by Fabianski. And the Pole made saves in quick succession from Romaric and Navas.
Wenger decided to shore things up a little, with Sagna (central defence) and Denilson on for Djourou and Thomas, but the majority of the attacks in the last quarter were down Seville’s right, where Gibbs – playing in the fourth different position of the night was having a torrid time against Navas.
Fabinski pulled off another point blank save from the bandaged Squillaci.
But almost inevitably the Seville born winger passed through Gibbs’ legs to the oncoming Chevanton to sweep it home past the heroic Pole.
At the death Vela went on a mazy run, which augurs well for potentially great goals in the future, and Sagna came in with a crunching tackle on Kone.
So Arsenal end on a win-win – a trophy for their pre-season efforts, and plenty of lessons for the youngsters to absorb, including defending under continual pressure. So long as it doesn’t mask the obvious need for an experienced midfielder and centre back.
Arsenal:Lukasz Fabianski, Philippe Senderos, Justin Hoyte, Johan Djourou (Denilson 68), Kieran Gibbs, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Bacary Sagna 68) Aaron Ramsey, Mark Randall, Jack Wilshere (Theo Walcott 79) Carlos Vela, Nicklas Bendtner. Subs not used:Manuel Almunia, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Eboue
Sevilla: Aquivaldo Mosquera (Juan Cala 85) Pablo Vargas, David Prieto (Christian Romaric 45) Jose Crespo (Ivica Dragutinovic 71) Abdoulay Konko, Jesus Nava, Renato, Seydo Keita, Enzo Maresca (Sebastien Squillaci 45) Diego Capel, Luis Fabiano (Ernesto Javier Chevanton 45)