Premier League heavyweights Arsenal ended their Australian tour with another eye-catching display, beating Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 in an entertaining clash at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
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This time more than 83,000 fans were on hand to watch the match, with the Gunners producing an attacking masterclass from the outset.
The Wanderers put on a strong display and made Arsene Wenger’s side work hard for their win and showed they should be a strong proposition in the upcoming Hyundai A-League season.
GAME IN SUMMARY
- Arsenal’s record-signing Alexandre Lacazette made his first start for his new club but was well-handled by the Wanderers defence.
- Wanderers new skipper Robbie Cornthwaite led by example for the home side, making a number of key tackles and making an impression on Gunners striker Olivier Giroud.
- Like they did against Sydney FC, Arsenal changed their keeper at the break and made 10 outfield changes simultaneously in the second half to ensure the fans saw all their big names, with Mesut Ozil coming on and hitting the ppost from a free-kick late on.
GOALS
0-1: Olivier Giroud – Arsenal 33′
Defender Nacho Monreal made a surging run down the left, cutting the ball back to Giroud who showed his class with a clever chipped finish at the near-post which hit the roof of the net.
0-2: Aaron Ramsey – Arsenal 37′
Monreal was again involved, this time his long ball over the top of the Wanderers defence picked out the run of Ramsey. And the Welsh star spotted Vedran Janjetovic off his line and lobbed the keeper with a brilliant first-time strike.
0-3: Mohamed Elneny – Arsenal 44′
The ball came to the Egyptian international on the edge of the box and his powerful low strike took a deflection off defender Brendan Hamill, sending Janjetovic the wrong way and allowing the ball to roll into the net.
1-3: Steven Lustica – Wanderers 57′
The Wanderers were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the Arsenal box and while Lustica’s first effort was blocked, he slammed the rebound home.
