Exclusive footage from the Club's Far East tour
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Full Time FULL TIME: Kitchee 2-2 Arsenal. In an entertaining contest, the Gunners were twice forced to fight back with Walcott and Eisfeld goals. We thought we'd have penalties for this - but apparently both sides have decided against it.
86
MINUTES REMAINING: Not long left to go at the Hong Kong Stadium. Arsenal look more likely to grab a winner - but Kitchee may well hold out here.
Top Comments:
Nigel Winterburn on Arsenal Player says:
Constant Arsenal pressure now. Arsenal are coming on strong. They need to keep moving it, keep possession and they’ll create at least one more opportunity before the end of this match
83
ARTETA SHOOTS WIDE: He scored that dazzling free-kick against Aston Villa last season - but this wasn't so pretty.
82
ANEKE'S SHOT SAVED: Eisfeld slips in the teenager with a neat ball inside. The powerful youngster has a go with the outside of his boot and calls Zhengpeng into action with a good save.
Top Comments:
@ArsenalSheep on Twitter says:
Aneke and Eisfeld have impressed this second half, Aneke calm and composed and Eisfeld knows where the goal is and how to pick a pass
77
GOAL! - Thomas Eisfeld 2 : 2 EISFELD SLOTS HOME! But that goal was all about Gervinho. The Ivorian uses his pace to burst past his man and lay on an easy opportunity for the young German. That's his second goal of pre-season.
Top Comments:
@ADMunro on Twitter says:
Gervinho is a top class player when he's running at someone. Sure it's only Kitchee, but the run and the pass were top drawer. #AFCvKIT
76
AMBITIOUS REGUEIRO: The substitute is comfortably 35 yards from goal but thinks he spots Szczesny off his line and has a crack with an ambitious volley. It sails miles over, though.
75
ARTETA OFF TARGET: The midfielder has a go from distance but his effort does not trouble Zhengpeng.
Top Comments:
@BadeTheGooner on Twitter says:
Arteta is fuming, he wants to win, no matter what. You could see it from the second he got in. What a winner, what an attitude
72
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Captain Siu Kei is replaced by Tsang Kam To.
70
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Eisfeld comes on for Walcott.
69
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Bartley replaces Djourou.
69
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Yennaris for Miquel.
69
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Arteta for Oxlade-Chamberlain.
68
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Song replaces Coquelin.
67
AFOBE HAS TO SCORE! Oxlade-Chamberlain's fine cross is laid on a plate for Afobe but the striker diverts his header over the bar.
Top Comments:
@KeithTheGooner on Twitter says:
All of you slagging Afobe off for his misses, he's getting in the right position. Remember Dennis "I couldn't score for 10 games" Bergkamp
66
JENKINSON INVOLVED: The young right back is demonstrating his fine crossing abilities once again this afternoon - now Arsenal just need a man to get on the end of one.
62
ARSENAL PUSHING: They are still playing this game at a fairly low tempo but it would be surprising if Arsenal did not have at least one more good chance before this game is up.
Top Comments:
@Ant_Walter3 on Twitter says:
Gervinho has looked threatening for the whole second half so far
58
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Chan Man Fai is on in place of Jordi Tarres.
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Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Jonathan Regueiro comes on for Yago.
58
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Lin Quankun replaces Lam Ka Wai.
57
WALCOTT CURLS WIDE: The England man switches from right to left, cuts inside and flicks a decent effort narrowly wide of goal.
Top Comments:
@GunnerGalactico on Twitter says:
Walcott has impressed me so much today, close with another shot. I'm liking this shooting on sight plan. #AFCvKIT
55
GOOD SAVE WOJCIECH: Yee is the next recipient of a wonderful ball through the middle but Szczesny gets down well to save the winger's shot. You can't take your eyes off this one.
53
HEADER FROM WALCOTT: Theo doesn't get many with his head - but he was close there. This time he latches onto a fine ball from midfield but can't direct a difficult header past Zhenpeng.
Top Comments:
@KarateOwl on Twitter says:
Walcott looks a threat in central positions, where he wants to play. When he played centrally at Molineux, he tore Wolves apart in April.
51
ANEKE STRAIGHT AT ZHENPENG: The substitute picks up the ball on the edge of the box but shots straight at the Kitchee goalkeeper. He didn't quite catch that one right.
50
PASSING WITH CONFIDENCE: A rejuvenated and refreshed Arsenal side are dictating play in this second half. You sense an equaliser could be on its way.
Top Comments:
Nigel Winterburn on Arsenal Player says:
This is what we expected to see from Arsenal in the first half: good possession and looking for an opening to create a chance.
48
AFOBE OFF THE POST! That was so close just two minutes after the restart. It's great play from Gervinho who bursts past two and plays a reverse ball to Afobe - who should score but hits the woodwork.
Top Comments:
@backlash0027 on Twitter says:
Gervinho superb, jenkinson's ball to theo initially was great too. #AFCvKIT Good stuff overall.
Kick Off AND WE'RE OFF AGAIN: Arsenal kick us off for the second half as they look to get themselves back into this game as soon as possible.
Top Comments:
@pattygreen26 on Twitter says:
Hope Arsenal do finish the #Arsenal2012Tour of Asia with a win but not overly concerned with score, hope to see some good football #AFCvKIT
46
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Gervinho replaces Ryo.
46
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Jenkinson on in place of Eastmond.
46
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Afobe for Chamakh.
46
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Aneke on for Diaby.
46
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Santos replaces Gibbs.
Half Time HALF TIME: Kitchee 2-1 Arsenal. The hosts look good value for their lead in truth - and they certainly aren't afraid to try anything along the way. Arsene Wenger will demand an improved second-half performance from his side.
Top Comments:
@GunnerGalactico on Twitter says:
Asian Football has improved on a whole though. Wenger predicted right again. Way more technical than they were a few years ago.#AFCvKIT
45
DIABY FIRES OVER! That was a good chance for Arsenal. Chamakh leads the charge forward and slides in Diaby slightly wide, who looked to be off balance and lashes his effort over the bar.
41
Substitution SUBSTITUTION: Captain Chu Siu Kei - who was surprisingly left out of the starting line-up - will replace goalscorer Rodriguez. You could say he's milking his exit too - even the goalkeeper ran 70 yards to congratulate him.
40
FIVE MINUTES LEFT: It looks like this first half is going to peter out with Arsenal down at the break. But the Gunners are now enjoying the lion's share of possession.
Top Comments:
Nigel Winterburn on Arsenal Player says:
Arsene Wenger looks very frustrated on the sidelines. Arsenal are not keeping the ball well enough and they are not creating any chances.
37
YOU KNOW IT'S PRE-SEASON WHEN... Of course, a Mexican wave! Naturally the crowd here - despite predominantly donning Arsenal shirts - are thoroughly enjoying this game.
29
GOAL! - Roberto Losada Rodriguez 2 : 1 BUT KITCHEE RETAKE THE LEAD! That's poor defending from Arsenal. Yago's header across is forced towards goal by Cheng Siu Waii, only for Szczesny to bat away the midfielder's overhead kick. But Rodriguez is quick on the rebound and volleys home.
Top Comments:
@21Rachiee33 on Twitter says:
whoa. no wonder Kit Chee are known as the 'Hong Kong Barca'... #afcvkit
28
NEARLY FOR THEO: Ryo drifts past his man with ease and clips in Chamakh, who almost frees Walcott on goal with a neat ball - but the forward is offside.
Top Comments:
@rj_desmond on Twitter says:
Chamakh is playing 300% better than last year, now if he'd face goal and shoot! #AFCvKIT
26
INVENTIVE FROM KITCHEE! Wow, what a goal that would have been. Tarres chips a deft free-kick over the wall but Rodriguez's overhead kick falls just wide of the mark. We don't see that too often.
24
GOAL! - Theo Walcott 1 : 1 WALCOTT LEVELS! Diaby robs Huang Yang and feeds the England man, who keeps his cool and slots home with ease. All square.
Top Comments:
@TC1168 on Twitter says:
Good persistence by Diaby cool finish.. Think Prem ref would've called a foul though #AFCvKIT
@_soje_ on Twitter says:
Walcott just might be ready to be our main target man. #AFCvKIT
20
MUCH BETTER FROM ARSENAL: After a bad start the Gunners are looking much more like their usual selves. They are beginning to create useful opportunities - now they just need a break.
Top Comments:
@Born_a_gooner on Twitter says:
#AfcvKit #Arsenal Ryo quite good. Ox has good composure, needs to be a bit more robust in his play.
18
MARAUDING IGGY: The young Spaniard bursts forward and looks to play a one-two with Chamakh, who the ball eventually breaks to. He cuts inside and gets his shot away but it's comfortable for Zhenpeng.
16
ALMOST FALLS FOR RYO: The Japanese youngster drifts into a good position and collects Diaby's excellent ball inside the box - but despite the poor control, he inadvertently handballs anyway.
Top Comments:
@fkhanage on Twitter says:
#Arsenal being murdered down the wings - bit like last season. Passing scrappy - no real flow to our game. 1-0 KIT. #AFCvKIT
11
TIME TO SETTLE: Arsenal are looking to slow down things to their own pace and dictate possession. Walcott skips inside onto his left foot and curls a shot just wide. Arsenal's first chance.
Top Comments:
Nigel Winterburn on Arsenal Player says:
Theo just wanted to get a little bit more curl on the ball than he got. Nice idea by Theo Walcott.
8
GOAL! - Yago 1 : 0 KITCHEE HAVE THE LEAD: And it has been coming to be fair. Miquel's pass is lazy, Yago is played in with a fine pass and slots home past Szczesny.
Top Comments:
@Arshavinalaugh on Twitter says:
At least this back four is highly unlikely to ever play together in the Premier League. All over the place. #AFC #AFCvKIT
6
BRIGHT START FROM THE HOSTS: Arsenal are yet to get themselves in gear and Kitchee have twice gone close to breaking the deadlock. The Gunners will be keen to use the width available from Theo and Ryo.
Top Comments:
@GunnersStunners on Twitter says:
Kitchee are going full throttle, 3 chances in first 4 mins!! #AFCvKIT
3
CLOSE FOR KITCHEE: Good play from Yee creates danger inside the penalty area but the ball eventually drops to Szczesny with Yago storming in.
1
AND THEY'RE OFF: Kitchee kick us off for the first half in Hong Kong as Arsenal look to end their successful Tour on a high note.
WE'RE ALMOST UNDERWAY: Kick-off has been slightly delayed but we'll be underway shortly.
HONG KONG BARCA: That's Kitchee's nickname, thanks to their Spanish coach and influx of players from the European champions.
Top Comments:
@Devonte_Marino on Twitter says:
If I remember correctly, Kitchee FC beat Juventus and AC Milan. You may think this is a rubbish team, but make no mistakes, they are decent.
SUBSTITUTES: Fabianski, Mannone, Yennaris, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Bartley, Arteta, Song, Santos, Aneke, Eisfeld, Gervinho, Afobe.
ARSENAL: Szczesny, Djourou (c), Miquel, Eastmond, Gibbs, Diaby, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Ryo, Chamakh.
Top Comments:
@Jayden_Joshua21 on Twitter says:
C'mon Arsenal !! I wanna see a convincing win after the defeat 2 City #AFCvKIT Chamberlain has a bright future ahead of him !!
TEAM NEWS: It's young line-up named by Arsene Wenger, with Ignasi Miquel, Craig Eastmond, Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou making up the defence. Djourou will captain the team.
FAREWELL ASIA: Good morning/afternoon and welcome to Arsenal.com's live minute-by-minute coverage of Arsenal's final match of their Asia Tour 2012, Presented by Emirates, against Kitchee FC.
Kitchee FC
ZHENPENG, Wang
RECIO, Fernando
CANCELA, Dani
REHMAN, Zesh
SIU WAII, Cheng
KWAN YEE, Lo
TARRéS, Jordi
MAN FAI, Chan (58)
YANG, Huang
LOSADA RODRIGUEZ, Roberto
SIU KEI, Chu (41)
KAM TO, Tsang (72)
KA WAI, Lam
QUANKUN, Lin (58)
YAGO
REGUIERO, Jonathan (58)
JIANQIAO, GUO
KAM TO, TSANG
LING, LANDON
WEN, GAO
SIU KEI, CHU
REGUIERO, JONATHAN
MAN FAI, CHAN
QUANKUN, LIN
HA, JAMES
CHI HAU, TSANG
CHI KWAN, LO
ZICHENG, LIANG
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
20 DJOUROU, Johan
02 BARTLEY, Kyle (69)
28 GIBBS, Kieran
11 SANTOS, Andre (46)
33 EASTMOND, Craig
25 JENKINSON, Carl (46)
54 MIQUEL, Ignasi
64 YENNARIS, Nico (69)
02 DIABY, Abou
26 ANEKE, Chuks (46)
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, Alex
08 ARTETA, Mikel (69)
22 COQUELIN, Francis
17 SONG, Alex (68)
14 WALCOTT, Theo
46 EISFELD, Thomas (70)
29 CHAMAKH, Marouane
38 AFOBE, Benik (46)
32 RYO
27 GERVINHO (46)
21 FABIANSKI, LUKASZ
24 MANNONE, VITO
05 VERMAELEN, THOMAS
08 ARTETA, MIKEL
11 SANTOS, ANDRE
17 SONG, ALEX
25 JENKINSON, CARL
27 GERVINHO,
64 YENNARIS, NICO
02 BARTLEY, KYLE
26 ANEKE, CHUKS
46 EISFELD, THOMAS
38 AFOBE, BENIK
Top Comments:
@amyenah on Twitter says:
We had a brilliant second half. If only we always played like that from the start! #AFCvKIT