SK Sturm Graz 0 Arsenal 3

By Aashish Siwan

Scorers: Nasri 16, 43 Lansbury 57

Arsenal took on SK Sturm Graz in their first match of the Austrian tour at the UPC-Arena (formerly known as the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium, interestingly enough) in Graz this morning. With all due respect to Barnet F. C., Sturm Graz were expected to provide a much sterner test for an Arsenal team full of youngsters and untested combinations. A 27-man squad was named for the tour with the likes of Clichy, Diaby, Sagna, Vela, Song and Eboue all returning to pre-season training but none being available for this match.

Wenger retained the 4-3-3 formation and started with Fabianski in goal, Vermaelen and Djourou at centre back, Nordtveit at right back and Traore at left back. Wilshere once again started at central midfield flanked by Nasri and Frimpong. Chamakh headed the attack supported by Arshavin and Walcott.

The Gunners started the match slow with possession being lost and passes failing to stick all around the park contributing to a disjointed affair. No to be outdone by their prestigious visitors, Graz were looking to exploit the high line held by the Arsenal back four and success nearly came their way around the fifth minute when a Walcott error let the Graz attack in down the left channel. Nordtveit stepped in snuff out that chance.

Walcott had a very close offside decision go against him and when the Gunners did put their foot down, Nasri was on hand to put Arsenal ahead. If Nasri’s goal against Barnet was a gift, his first against Graz was a thing of beauty! Arsenal’s attack broke down when Chamakh was dispossessed just outside the Graz box, but Nasri recovered possession, shifted the ball onto his left foot to avoid an oncoming tackle and shot low past the Graz keeper. One-nil to the Arsenal!!

Thomas Burgstaller cleared off the line a couple of minutes later from Chamakh’s effort on goal. It took Graz 25 minutes to test Fabianski with Marvin Weinberger’s effort off a Graz free kick failing to trouble the Polish international. Fabianski though, had to work harder to pull off a fantastic save off Imre Szabics who was put through one-on-one with Fabianski by Weinberger a couple of minutes later. Szabics headed over from the resulting corner.

A defensive error from stand in captain Vermaelen nearly let Graz in but Djourou reacted well enough to intercept. Nice to see Djourou having a decent pre-season after being out of action for around 12 months thanks to international obligations.

Arsenal needed to respond to the Graz attacks and Nasri stepped up with the prefect reply. Just before halftime, Nasri curled in a free kick into the top left-hand corner of the Graz net giving their keeper no chance what so ever. Arsenal ended the first 45 0-2 up and Wilshere picking up the only caution of the match with a rash challenge.

The second half started with Szczesny in for Fabianski, Gibbs for Traore, Koscielny for Vermaelen, Emmanuel-Thomas for Chamakh, Craig Eastmond for Frimpong, Rosicky (captain) for Nasri and Henri Lansbury coming in for Arshavin with Wilshere moving up to the left forward spot and Rosicky slotting into central midfield. Arsenal had an all English attack of Wilshere, Emmanuel-Thomas and Walcott with Eastmond, Lansbury and Gibbs the other Englishmen to make the XI in the second half.

The second 45 began the same way as the first as the Arsenal subs took some time to get into their groove as Thomas Burgstaller’s attempt on goal ended in the hands of Szczesny. Mario Haas was gifted a shot on goal with defensive frailties creeping in. Haas’ attempt on goal however was weak and Szczesny gathered comfortably.

Their profligacy in front of goal cost Graz dearly as Lansbury added a third from a very composed finish just before the hour. Emmanuel-Thomas and Nordtveit combined well down the right flank allowing Emmanuel-Thomas to power his way past a few Graz defenders. Emmanuel-Thomas laid the ball on for Lansbury who only had the keeper to beat as Wilshere’s dummy run seemed to drag the rest of the Graz defenders with him. Lansbury made it count and looked very assured while doing so.

Wilshere was retired on the hour mark as Traore made his way back onto the field to try his luck in his favored left forward spot.

Emmanuel-Thomas seemed comfortable enough to try and dribble his way past a packed Graz box soon after. Walcott took over to help Emmanuel-Thomas out but his attempt only managing to find the side netting.

The Gunners seemed comfortable enough with 30 minutes to go but that wasn’t going to stop Traore (who should have done better from a Walcott cross even though he wasn’t expecting the ball to find its way past Graz defenders), Rosicky, Koscielny and Emmanuel-Thomas from trying their luck. Walcott too had an attempt that he flashed past the Graz goal.

Djourou’s charge up the Graz half almost cost Arsenal a goal only for Nordtveit to recover well and put in a fantastic tackle in the Arsenal box.

The Gunners came away with much needed match practice and 3 goals at the end of the 90 with Wenger getting a chance to cast an eye on player combinations, individual performances and vital stats ahead of the new season. SK Sturm Graz looked resigned to a defeat in the second half, more so after Lansbury’s goal, opting to conserve energy as their new season kicked off last weekend.

Samir Nasri put in a man of the match shift in his preferred role just in behind the leading striker but Emmanuel-Thomas’ powerful performance (good ball retention, his strength when holding onto possession, his movement on and off the ball and bringing other players into play) all the while alternating positions with Walcott  and Nordtveit’s stellar performance (great tackles, good crosses and great general awareness while defending and attacking) while playing out of position again would not have been missed by Wenger.

Pre-season continues next week with a visit to SC Neusiedl 1919. Kick off is at 5 am on Wednesday the 28^th of July.

Watch all the goals below: