Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
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HIGHLIGHTS AND REACTION: Stay close to Arsenal Player for the best of the action and all the post-match interviews
Full Time THERE’S THE FULL TIME WHISTLE: Arsenal open their 2011 Emirates Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw with Boca Juniors.
89
Substitution BOCA CHANGE: Erbes for Somoza
88
CAN ARSENAL FIND A WINNER?: At the moment, Boca are looking pretty confident at the back and the Gunners are struggling to break through.
86
Substitution BOCA CHANGE: Caruzzo on for Schiavi
84
RIQUELME STINGS MANNONE’S PALMS: With a vicious drive from that free-kick, the Boca captain forces the keeper into action. He can only batt the ball away but Arsenal clear
83
Yellow Card JENKINSON BOOKED: Mouche, who has looked very good since coming on, beats the full-back and is hauled down. Free-kick just of the edge of the box. Decent position, this
82
EBOUE GOES CLOSE: Very close. Good build-up from Nasri and Ramsey present a chance for the substitute. He turns well and fires inches wide of the right-hand post from just outside the area.
81
MANNONE HAS TO BE QUICK OFF HIS LINE: Boca break at pace and Riquelme, who is staring to pull the strings now, tries to slip Mouche in on the right. The keeper gets there first.
78
Substitution ANOTHER BOCA CHANGE: Colazo on for Erviti
76
ARSENAL COME FORWARD: Jenkinson plays a delightful ball down the line to Vela, who flicks the ball on to Nasri. He runs into the penalty area but can’t beat Schiavi, who puts the ball behind for a corner.
74
RIQUELME LETS FLY: Boca come forward again and the captain’s powerful shot is blocked.
73
BOCA FULL OF CONFIDENCE NOW: They can sense a victory here. The visitors come forward again but this time Arsenal clear.
Top Comments:
Paul Davis on Arsenal Player says:
It might just be that Boca is further ahead in their fitness. Arsenal are a bit weary now.
72
Another soft goal from Arsenal’s point of view. Riquelme slips the ball into the area and Mouche is too strong for Djourou. He gets there first and slots the ball under Mannone
71
GOAL! - Pablo Mouche 2 : 2 MOUCHE MAKES IT 2-2
70
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Eboue on for Arshavin
69
What a finish! But, you have to say that is poor defending from Arsenal. Squillaci gives the ball away, Riquelme pounces and feeds Viatri, who lashes home from just inside the area. 2-1
68
GOAL! - Lucas Viatri 2 : 1 VIATRI MAKES IT 2-1
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GREAT COVER FROM JENKINSON: Squillaci is caught out of position and the right-back has to come across and cut out the danger.
63
GOOD PLAY FROM ARSENAL: Neat flicks from Nasri and Vela nearly have Arshavin bearing down on goal. Then, moments later, Jenkinson crosses for Arshavin, who can’t quite get on the end of it.
62
Substitution CHANGE FOR BOCA: Mouche on for Cvitanich
60
SHOT FROM RIQUELME: Boca are coming into the game a lot more now and Viarti is looking dangerous. He sets up his captain, who can’t find the target from range.
58
GREAT SAVE MANNONE: The goalkeeper makes another impressive intervention, this time he makes a fingertip save to divert Viatri’s drive over the crossbar.
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GOOD CLAIM FROM MANNONE: The Italian keeper has impressed so far in pre-season. There, from a Boca free-kick, he jumps above everyone and catches well.
Top Comments:
Paul Davis on Arsenal Player says:
On set pieces Arsenal is not actually marking man-to-man, it's more of a zonal marking. It will be interesting to see if they stick with it when the season starts because the general consensus is man-to-man is more effective.
Live Bravely on Twitter says:
I have NEVER been a fan of zonal marking but I am glad to see that the team is making a serious attempt to rectify defensive woes
55
OPENING TEN MINUTES: It’s quite even so far in this second half. Chamakh has looked good since he has come on, he has offered Arsenal something different up-front.
Top Comments:
William Savage on Twitter says:
Chamakh is doing the right things imo. His heart is in it. As many have said, just needs to get back in the goals for confidence.
53
JENKINSON CAN’T FIND A TEAM-MATE: His cross from the right evades everyone and Boca clear.
51
Yellow Card CHAMAKH WINS A FREE-KICK: As he tussles with Insurralde, the defender is penalised. Free-kick Arsenal, 25 yards out, just left of centre.
49
NASRI DRIBBLES INTO THE AREA: Neat work from the midfielder nearly creates a chance but Orion smothers at his feet.
48
Substitution BOCA CHANGE: Rodriguez on for Sosa, who has taken a knock.
47
WHAT A START TO THIS SECOND PERIOD: Ramsey doubles Arsenal’s lead! Vela does brilliantly to weave his way past three men before squaring for the Wales midfielder, who smashes the ball past Orion. That was empathic!
Top Comments:
Drew O' Gwynn on Twitter says:
What a goal to start the second half! Vela with the great run to set it up
46
GOAL! - Aaron Ramsey 2 : 0 RAMSEY MAKES IT 2-0 SECONDS INTO THE SECOND HALF
Top Comments:
Andrew Moore on Twitter says:
I think Ramsey realises the benefits which come with shooting from outside the box. Terrific goal!
46
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Vela on for Gervinho
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Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Squillaci on for Kosceilny
46
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Ramsey on for Wilshere
46
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Chamakh on for Van Persie
46
Substitution FIVE CHANGES FOR ARSENAL: First up, in goal, Mannone on for Fabianski
45
THE PLAYERS ARE BACK OUT: It looks like a couple of changes, Nasri has the captain’s armband.
Half Time THERE GOES THE HALF-TIME WHISTLE: That Van Persie strike separates the two sides at the break. Gervinho, Jenkinson and Frimpong have all impressed so far. Arsenal are comfortable.
Top Comments:
Paul Davis on Arsenal Player says:
Gervinho has been causing Boca a number of problems. He has made some great runs and he's obviously a great provider. I like what I've seen so far!
John Andri on Twitter says:
Solid first half from Gervinho linked up really well with RVP for the goal.
45
GREAT TRICKERY FROM ERVITI: Who congers up an outrageous piece of skill to beat Traore on the Arsenal left. But the Frenchman recovers well and makes a good sliding challenge.
44
VAN PERSIE FIRES OVER: From a free-kick, 25 yards from goal, the captain for the day can’t hit the target.
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
We were racking out heads before the game over when the last time Arsenal scored at home off a free kick. Arsenal senior reporter Chris Harris said it was at the Emirates Cup last year!
42
TRAORE LETS FLY: That free-kick is headed away as far as the French left-back, who fizzes an effort over the bar from fully 30 yards. Unlucky
41
ARSENAL BREAK: From a Boca corner, Jenkinson heads away and Frimpong drives across the halfway line. He feeds Wilshere on the right and he is fouled. Free-kick Arsenal
39
FRIMPONG: With maybe the exception of Gervinho, he has been Arsenal best player in this first-half. He gives away a free-kick that Riquelme swings into the area but the midfielder has been brilliant so far
Top Comments:
Paul Davis on Arsenal Player says:
Frimpong has been impressive for me. He's broken up play a number of times and looks strong.
37
BUT IT’S WASTED: Rivero crosses into the area but Gervinho heads away with ease.
36
TRORE CONCEDES A FREE-KICK: That looked a bit harsh but the left-back in penalised and Boca have a set-piece in a dangerous position, here.
35
QUICK THINKING FROM WILSHERE: He takes quick free-kick to release Nasri who, in turn, slips in Gervinho who is just offside.
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Yellow Card SOMOZA BOOKED: Wilshere is bodychecked again, and this time the referee goes to his pocket.
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SOSA NEARLY HEADS INTO HIS OWN NET: And Gervinho is in the thick of the action again. This time, he dinks a cross the back post and forces the backpedaling defender to head behind. He is at the heart of everything Arsenal have done.
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VAN PERSIE POINTS TO GERVINHO: As do the rest of the Arsenal players as they run over to their new team-mate. He looks like a brilliant buy, even at this early stage.
30
Gervinho is the architect! The Ivorian, form the left, latches onto a through ball before crossing to the near post for Van Persie, who beats Orion to the ball and pokes home from inside the six-yard box.
Top Comments:
Kev M on Twitter says:
1-0 Arsenal and a cracker of a goal at that, really well worked Gervinho with final pass to Van Persie
Mark Joyella on Twitter says:
Gervinho's looking like pure class so far.
29
GOAL! - Robin van Persie 1 : 0 VAN PERSIE GIVES ARSENAL THE LEAD
25
RATHER MUTED: Arsenal are still doing all the attacking without really creating too much.
22
WILSHERE HACKED DOWN: Not for the first time, Jack is picking himself up from the floor. The Argentines certainly aren’t pulling out of any tackles, that’s for sure.
Top Comments:
Paul Davis on Arsenal Player says:
It's going to be a lot tougher on Wilshere this year. The expectations from fans and media will be be extremely high. Hopefully he can manage the pressure and the demands that come with it.
20
ALL ARSENAL: Without creating too much in the way of chances, the Gunners are beginning to control things here. Wilshere and Frimpong are winning everything in midfield.
19
FRIMPONG IMPRRESSIVE AGAIN: He hasn’t put a foot wrong yet. The teenager wins the ball from Riquelme before setting Arsenal on another attack. Gervinho, who is playing mainly from the left now, can’t quite create an opening.
Top Comments:
Paul Davis on Arsenal Player says:
I'm looking at players like Traore and Frimpong and seeing what they have to offer. I'm impressed with Traore and how he dealt with the attacking players.
Mallela Hemchand on Twitter says:
Last year Emmanuel Frimpong looked like he was a red card waiting to happen. He's much more composed and confident now.
17
GERVINHO HAS BEEN VERY LIVELY: The Ivorian has impressed the crowd so far with his willingness at attack defenders, link up with team-mates and bring others into the game. This time, he wins a free-kick that Nasri curls over
15
OFFSIDE FLAG SAVES ARSENAL: Cvitanich, rightly is flagged offside as he bursts through on goal. After the whistle goes, much the amusement of the Emirates crowd, he shoots well wide.
14
KOSCIELNY TRIES TO FIND ARSHAVIN: The French centre-back break from defence and slips a wonderful ball through the middle for Arshavin. But for a brilliant sliding challenge from Sosa, the Russian was in there. Unlucky
13
NO CHANCES OF NOTE: Boca have come into a bit more after Arsenal’s promising start. Riquelme, as expected, is at the centre of most good things they are doing.
10
BOCA CREATE AN OPENING: Viatri finds himself with time and space on the edge of the area but his touch lets him down at the vital moment. A bit of a let off, that.
9
BOCA FANS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE: The small pocket of travelling Argentines are doing their best to drown out the noise being made by the home support.
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BOCA FANS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE: The small pocket of travelling Argentines are doing their best to drown out the noise being made by the home support.
7
GREAT STUFF FROM GERVINHO: The new signing switches to the right and leaves his defender for dead before crossing for Van Persie, who drills into the sidenetting. The Arsenal fans liked that from Gervinho. He has started brightly.
Top Comments:
Jarred Grimshaw on Twitter says:
Gervinho looks a handful and I'm quite impressed with Frimpong not seen much of him before.
6
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY: Well, you wouldn’t know it from the last few tackles that have flown in. Arshavin gets caught late while Wilshere flies into a 50/50 with Viatri.
5
GERVINHO AND ARSHAVIN: It’s the Russian from the right and the Ivorian from the left.
Top Comments:
King_Goran on Twitter says:
Arshavin is gonna have a big year in the Arsenal shirt this year. I can feel it.
4
FRIMPONG: The combative midfielder has made a very assured start alongside Jack in midfield. Winning the ball and driving forward whenever he has it.
3
BRIGHT START FROM ARSENAL: The hosts are doing all the pressing early on. Jenkinson and Traore are getting forward at every opportunity.
Top Comments:
Ashley McKay on Twitter says:
If you work hard in football you can do anything, Jenkinson 12 months ago was watching Arsenal in The Emirates Cup, now starting for AFC!
2
THAT HAS TO BE A PENALTY: Wilshere weaves his way into the area and is felled by a trailing Boca leg. I don’t know why that hasn’t been given!
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EARLY TOUCHES FOR THE NEW BOYS: Gervinho and Jenkinson get on the ball in the opening seconds. Their first appearance at Emirates, remember, today
Kick Off WE’RE UNDERWAY: Boca get things going, with Arsenal kicking from left to right in this first half
THE TWO TEAMS MAKE THEIR WAY OUT: Arsenal are in the 125th anniversary away kit. Emirates Stadium is nearly full now, with the last few seats filling up as kick-off approaches.
RESTED: Thomas Vermaelen, Wojciech Szczesny and Tomas Rosicky are not in today's squad but Wenger told us that they are not injured, just rested. They could play on Sunday
HOME DEBUTS FOR NEW BOYS: The Emirates crowd will catch their first glimpse of Gervinho and Carl Jenkinson today after they were named in Wenger's starting line-up
Top Comments:
Jack Coombs on Twitter says:
I'm anticipating a #Gervinho masterclass today!
SUBS: Sagna, Vela, Ramsey, Song, Squillaci, Mannone, Eboue, Gibbs, Chamakh, Afobe, Bartley
TEAM NEWS: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Djourou, Traore, Frimpong, Wilshere, Nasri, Gervinho, Arshavin, Van Persie
Enjoy all the build-up with Tim and Paul before our live commentary begins. Just in case you weren't sure, we will NOT be showing a live video stream from any Emirates Cup games - that service will be back next week for our final friendly at Benfica.
At 4.20pm (UK time) Arsenal will kick off their first game of the tournament but our Matchday Show will begin 15 minutes earlier with host Tim Peters, commentator Dan Roebuck and former Gunner Paul Davis.
The sun is out in north London and, as I type, New York Red Bulls and PSG are gracing the pristine Emirates turf. The Red Bulls lead 1-0 by the way.
A very warm welcome to Arsenal Player for live coverage of our Emirates Cup opener against Boca Juniors.
Arsenal
21 FABIANSKI, Lukasz
24 MANNONE, Vito (46)
25 JENKINSON, Carl
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
18 SQUILLACI, Sebastien (46)
20 DJOUROU, Johan
03 TRAORE, Armand
26 FRIMPONG, Emmanuel
10 WILSHERE, Jack
16 RAMSEY, Aaron (46)
08 NASRI, Samir
27 GERVINHO
11 VELA, Carlos (46)
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey
27 EBOUE, Emmanuel (70)
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin
29 CHAMAKH, Marouane (46)
03 SAGNA, BACARY
11 VELA, CARLOS
16 RAMSEY, AARON
25 SONG, ALEX
18 SQUILLACI, SEBASTIEN
24 MANNONE, VITO
27 EBOUE, EMMANUEL
28 GIBBS, KIERAN
29 CHAMAKH, MAROUANE
13 AFOBE, BENIK
02 BARTLEY, KYLE
Boca Juniors
ORION, Augustin
SCHIAVI, Rolando
CARUZZO, Matias (86)
SOSA, Franco
14 RODRIGUEZ, Clemente (48)
RIVERO, Diego
VIATRI, Lucas
08 RIQUELME, Juan
ERVITI, Walter
COLAZO, Nicolas (78)
INSAUARRALDE, Juan
SOMOZA, Leandro
ERBES, Cristian (89)
27 CVITANICH, Dario
MOUCHE, Pablo (62)
RONCAGLIA, Facundo
14 RODRIGUEZ, CLEMENTE
ERBES, CRISTIAN
CARUZZO, MATIAS
MOUCHE, PABLO
D'ANGELO, SEBASTIAN
GAONA LUGO, ORLANDO
COLAZO, NICOLAS
SUARO, GASTON
GRACIAN, LEANDRO
CHAVEZ, CRISTIAN
ARAUJO, SERGIO
Top Comments:
Paul Davis on Arsenal Player says:
Apart from 2nd half there were some bright points. Frimpong was decent and got himself involved. We need that physicality in teh midfield. Ramsey scored his goal and looked pretty sharp.