Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
90
HIGHLIGHTS AND REACTION: Stay close to Arsenal Player for the best of the action and all the post-match interviews
Full Time THERE IS THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE: Arsenal win 2-1 thanks to that first-half brace from Gervinho.
89
Substitution AFOBE ON FOR HENDERSON: Conor leaves the field on a stretcher and is replaced by Afobe. Frimpong moves to left-back.
88
HENDERSON DOWN IN A HEAP: He appears to have fallen awkwardly as he defended on the left. He will have to be replaced I think.
Top Comments:
Stewart Robson on Arsenal Player says:
This could be serious for Conor Henderson. He twisted his knee and it doesn't look good.
87
Substitution COLOGNE CHANGE: Makino on for Mohamad
85
GOOD ENERGY FROM ROSICKY: He makes a forward to run to collect Nasri’s ball over the top and wins a corner, which is cleared.
Top Comments:
Stacey Hood on Twitter says:
That's the Rosicky of old. That's what we need from him again.
84
Substitution COLOGNE CHANGE: Roshi for Jajalo
83
Substitution COLOGNE CHANGE: Clemens for Novakovic
82
ARSHAVIN STILL PLUGGING AWAY: The Russian has been Arsenal’s most lively player in the second half. Frimpong, again, breaks up the play in midfield and feeds Arshavin who is through on goal. Varvodic makes a decent stop.
Top Comments:
Stewart Robson on Arsenal Player says:
That's Frimpong at his best - he has good body strength and doesn't go to the ground.
80
VAN PERSIE TRIES TO RELEASE NASRI: But the ball gets cut out.
77
GREAT SKILL FROM VAN PERSIE: The Arsenal captain spins his man inside the area and appeared to have his shirt tugged. The referee only gives a goal kick.
75
PODOLSKI SWINGS IN A CORNER FROM THE RIGHT: That gets headed away well by Djourou.
72
GOOD PLAY FROM FRIMPONG: He breaks the play up in midfielder again. The teenager has done well so far in this second half.
Top Comments:
Tim Peters on Arsenal Player says:
It's good to see Frimpong back playing after his injury saw him miss out for eight or nine months.
70
Substitution HENDERSON ALSO ON: The youngster replaces Gibbs at left-back.
69
Substitution FABIANSKI COMING ON: The Pole replaces Mannone between the sticks. Vito has done nothing wrong and looked very assured.
Top Comments:
Mark Groves on Twitter says:
Well played Mannone. Did all that was asked.
67
NOVAKOVIC SHOULD SCORE: Podolski plays a defence-splitting ball into the area and, with time to pick his spot, Novakovic hits the ball straight at Mannone.
66
ARSHAVIN WITH A SNAP-SHOT: That fizzes just wide of the right-hand post
65
GIBBS FORCES ANOTHER SAVE: A clever piece of skill from Van Persie releases the overlapping Gibbs inside the area. From a tight angle, he fires at the near post and forces Varvodic into another stop.
63
Substitution COLOGNE CHANGE: Eichner on
63
Substitution COLOGNE CHANGE: Pezzoni on
63
Substitution COLOGNE CHANGE: Peszko on
63
ROSICKY STINGS THE KEEPER’S PALMS: The Czech man caught Varvodic by surprise there. From 25 yards, Rosicky nearly finds the top corner with s stinging drive.
Top Comments:
Sam on Twitter says:
I want to see more shots like that from outside the box from Rosicky
60
VAN PERSIE CAN’T QUITE FIND NASRI: Frimpong breaks things up in midfield and feeds Nasri who, in turn, releases Van Persie down the left. The Dutch striker beats his man but can’t find Nasri inside the area.
59
PODOLSKI LOOKING DANGEROUS: He cuts a ball all the way across the six-yard box but there is no-one there in an blue shirt to convert.
57
A BIT SCRAPPY NOW: Neither side can keep the ball at the moment.
55
CRUCIAL BLOCK FROM DJOUROU: Arsenal get caught out from a long free-kick and Djourou has to make a vital block. That looked like it was going in.
54
HANDBAGS: Squillaci and Podolski come together off the ball. The referee talks to them both. No bookings.
Top Comments:
Stewart Robson on Arsenal Player says:
Stupid thing to do. They both would have gotten sent off in a Premier League game.
53
POSITIVE START FROM MANNONE: The Italian has claimed two crosses very confidently so far.
52
ARSHAVIN THREATENING: The substitute drills a ball across the goal which is punched clear by the keeper.
Top Comments:
Tendai Handahu on Twitter says:
I hope Arshavin has a good pre-season and shows us his world class ability.
51
Yellow Card DJOUROU BOOKED: Well, that’s the first booking of the season. The Swiss defender clatters a Cologne man and goes into the book.
50
BALL ACROSS FROM PODOSKI: The German international gets to the byline and crosses into a very dangerous position. Mannone does well to gather the ball at the first attempt.
49
SLOW START: No chances as of yet in this second half but Arshavin has seen a lot of the ball on the left.
48
NASRI: Is playing just behind the striker, his favourite position.
47
TACTICS: Van Persie down the middle, Arshavin down the left, Vela on the right. Rosicky, Frimpong and Nasri are on in midfielder while Djourou, Sagna, Squillaci are all on. Mannone is in goal.
Kick Off SECOND HALF UNDERWAY: Arsenal kick off, kicking from right to left for the second 45 minutes.
45
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Sagna comes on at right back
45
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Vela comes on
45
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Djourou comes on in central defence
45
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Squillaci comes on in central defence
45
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Arshavin comes on
45
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Nasri plays behind the striker
45
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Van Persie plays up front
45
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Frimpong comes on
45
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Mannone takes over goalkeeping duties
45
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Rosicky comes into central midfield
45
HALF-TIME: And that will be the last act of the opening period. Wenger will be pleased with how things have gone and, in particular, Gervinho’s brace. Arsenal proceeded to control things before that Jenkinson own goal came out of the blue. It’s 2-1 at the break.
45
That came out of nothing. Cologne play a hopeful ball over the top but Jenkinson gets it all wrong and diverts the ball over the despairing Szczesny.
45
GOAL! - Carl Jenkinson 1 : 2 Goal for Cologne: A freak own-goal from Jenkinson and it’s 2-1.
43
WALCOTT FIRES OVER: Good play from Theo, as he turns a Cologne corner into an Arsenal attack in seconds. He runs at two covering defenders and fires just over the bar from outside the area. That wasn’t far away.
Top Comments:
Stewart Robson on Arsenal Player says:
He did the right thing going for power. More often than not now his decision making is right.
41
MIYAICHI HAS LOOKED A REAL THREAT: He was impressive in Asia and has again looked good this afternoon.
40
WALCOTT SHOULD DO BETTER: Miyaichi breaks with pace and feeds Walcott, who bursts into the area. The England man opts to square to Chamakh but seems to get caught in two minds and can't find his team-mate.
39
SZCZESNY FORCED INTO ACTION AGAIN: This time, to make a smart save low to his left from Novakovic
38
GREAT BLOCK FROM JENKINSON: Arsenal are caught on the break there and Cologne have numbers forward. The ball eventually comes to Novakovic, whose effort at goal hits Jenkinson. Very brave from the former Charlton man.
37
IS THAT SZCZESNY’S FIRST TOUCH?: Chihi curls an effort at goal that is comfortably saved by the Polish keeper.
35
ALL ARSENAL: The hosts are totally outplaying their opponents. The midfielder three have controlled things, the wingers have looked threatening and the Gunners have looked a constant threat.
34
ANOTHER FREE HEADER FOR KOSCIELNY: From a corner, the defender forces the keeper to make a smart save.
33
RAMSEY SHOOTS FROM RANGE: Varvodic gets his body behind it to make a comfortable save.
32
FIRST REAL SIGN OF MIYAICHI: He shows a great change of pace to beat the Cologne left-back with ease. The Japanese winger then delivers a very good cross that is well cleared. More promising signs for Arsenal.
Top Comments:
Philip Chow on Twitter says:
Keen to see what Miyaichi can do with Walcott.
31
INTO THE WALL: From Wilshere, who took the free-kick himself.
30
WILSHERE FELLED JUST OUTSIDE OF THE AREA: Jack weaves his way through three challenges before being hacked down right on the edge of the box. Good position, this.
Top Comments:
Stewart Robson on Arsenal Player says:
That would have been a penalty in a Premier League game
29
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: As I say that, Gervinho is replaced by Ryo Miyaichi. I think that was planned though he did just take a whack in the face.
Top Comments:
Ashley on Twitter says:
Miyaichi excites me so much, looking forward to seeing what he can do for the next 60 minutes in a slightly more serious game.
EpicPharaoh on Twitter says:
Gervinho: Further proof that Arsene Wenger is the best there is at finding quality.
27
GERVINHO: The new signing looks very willing to run in behind the Cologne defence. He has been a real threat so far and will be very pleased with his opening half-hour in an Arsenal shirt, as will Arsene Wenger.
26
FREE HEADER FOR KOSCIELNY: But the French defender can’t direct his effort goalwards.
25
ARSENAL PLAYING WITH A LOT OF CONFIDENCE: Walcott and Chamakh link-up to feed Jenkinson, who is in a lot of space on the right. The right-backs’ cross is headed behind for an Arsenal corner.
23
ANOTHER TEASING BALL FROM WALCOTT: Again to the back post, where Wilshere cuts the ball back for Song and his shot is blocked.
22
DESPARATE DEFENDING FROM COLOGNE: Arsenal are tearing their opponents apart on the break. Ramsey feeds Walcott, who is acres of space on the right, and he dinks a ball towards the back post. With Chamakh waiting to head home, a defender gets back to head away.
20
OPENING 20 MINUTES: So far, so good for Arsenal. Two goals to the good though defensively they have allowed Cologne a bit too much time and space.
Top Comments:
Stewart Robson on Arsenal Player says:
There's never been a question that Arsenal will create chances and trouble for the opposition. What they do defensively will determine their season.
19
After a break in play for the substitution, Arsenal continue to press the hosts. Wenger’s side are keeping possession well and dictating play now.
16
Substitution COLOGNE CHANGE: Goalkeeper Varvodic replaces Rensing, who got clattered by Gervinho as he slotted home the second goal.
Top Comments:
Tim Peters on Arsenal Player says:
It's rather quiet in the stadium now.
15
What a start to his Arsenal career! Incredible! Wilshere plays a diagonal ball out to Walcott on the right, who sends a teasing ball across the six-yard box where Gervinho is on hand to tuck home his second.
15
GOAL! - Gervinho 0 : 2 GERVINHO IS ON THE SCORESHEET AGAIN! It’s 2-0 to Arsenal!
Top Comments:
Farooq Ahmed on Twitter says:
Gervinho making quite the impression here with his 2nd goal ...
Richard Leighton on Twitter says:
Gervinho makes it 2-0. Good poacher's goal after low cross from Walcott. I like this guy already.
13
GREAT CHANCE FOR VERMAELEN: The Belgian central defender intercepts high up the pitch and breaks. He feeds Gervinho on the left and continues his run into the area to collect a return pass. Just as Vermaelen is about to tap home, a defender makes a last-ditch tackle to put the ball behind.
12
COLOGNE PRESSING: The home side aren’t giving Arsenal’s midfielders any time on the ball.
11
GERVINHO IN AGAIN: But this time he is flagged offside. Walcott fed the ball through to him this time. He looks like a real threat. The Ivory Coast man is playing more centrally now.
9
PODOSLKI SHOULD SCORE: Novakovic runs at the Arsenal defence before finding the German in space inside the area. With time and space, Podolski drags his shot wide with his left foot. That was a let-off.
7
Was that his first touch in an Arsenal shirt? Wilshere threads a wonderful ball through the middle and Gervinho expertly chips Rensing to find the net. Cologne played a high defensive line and Gervinho sprung the offside trap. What a start to his Arsenal career!
7
GOAL! - Gervinho 0 : 1 GOAL FOR ARSENAL! Gervinho gets his first goal for the Club and it's 1-0!
6
PODOSLKI CAUSING PROBLEMS: The Germany man has looked a threat every time he has had the ball.
5
GERVINHO: Hasn’t really seen any of the ball yet. Arsenal have been positive in possession by haven’t tested Rensing yet.
4
JUST OVER THE BAR: Novakovic fires inches over the crossbar. Szczesny looked to have it covered.
3
EARLY FREE-KICK FOR COLOGNE: Podolski drives towards the penalty area and gets hauled down by Koscielny RIGHT on the edge of the box.
2
TACTICS: Arsenal's midfield three is Song, Wilshere and Ramsey. The Wales midfielder starts at the top of the triangle.
1
GERVINHO: It looks like the new signing starts of the left of the Arsenal attack
Kick Off We’re underway at RheinEnergieStadion. The hosts get us going in Germany with Arsenal wearing red this afternoon.
Before kick off today there will be a minute’s silence for yesterday’s tragic events in Norway, where at least 84 people died at a youth camp and a bomb exploded in Olso. FC Cologne’s manager, Stale Solbakken, is Norwegian.
Carl Jenkinson starts at right-back.
Top Comments:
Pablo Jenkins on Twitter says:
Ok #Arsenal time now. Looking forward to watching Gervinho in an Arsenal shirt & Jenkinson playing RB again.
Thomas Vermaelen captains the side while youngsters Benik Afobe and Conor Henderson are on the bench.
So new signing Gervinho will make his debut for the Club this afternoon. The Ivory Coast star will be wearing No 22 today but that is not guaranteed to be his numeral throughout the season. The same applies to the rest of the squad this afternoon.
Top Comments:
Deelan Hourami on Twitter says:
Looking forward to seeing how Gervinho does! Also have a feeling Chamakh will score
The Arsenal team is in, and here it is: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Walcott, Ramsey, Song, Wilshere, Gervinho, Chamakh
Top Comments:
Kieron Price on Facebook says:
I'm interested to see the partnership of Koscielny and Vermaelen and obviously how good our new striker is, this team looks strong and has plenty of power and pace so game on...
Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes are in the studio for today's match while Stewart Robson joins Tim Peters in the commentary box.
Our coverage starts at 2.15pm (UK time) and the game kicks off 15 minutes later. To watch a live video stream of the game open up your laptop and visit player.arsenal.com. If you're following the game on your iPhone or iPad you can hear live audio commentary and read our text updates too.
Arsenal are in Germany for the next stage of their pre-season preparations and face Bundasliga side FC Cologne this afternoon.
FC Cologne
33 RENSING, Michael
VARVODIC, Miro (16)
BRECKO, Miso
MOHAMAD, Youssef
MAKINO, Tomoaki (87)
RIETHER, Sascha
PODOLSKI, Lukas
NOVAKOVIC, Milivoje
CLEMENS, Christian (83)
ANDREZINHO
PESZKO, Slawomir (63)
LANIG, Martin
PEZZONI, Kevin (63)
JAJALO, Mato
ROSHI, Odise (84)
CHIHI, Adil
EICHNER, Christian (63)
GEROMEL, Pedro
VARVODIC, MIRO
EICHNER, CHRISTIAN
PEZZONI, KEVIN
PESZKO, SLAWOMIR
MAKINO, TOMOAKI
CLEMENS, CHRISTIAN
ROSHI, ODISE
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
24 MANNONE, Vito (45)
21 FABIANSKI, Lukasz (69)
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
18 SQUILLACI, Sebastien (45)
25 JENKINSON, Carl
03 SAGNA, Bacary (45)
28 GIBBS, Kieran
37 HENDERSON, Conor (70)
13 AFOBE, Benik (89)
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
20 DJOUROU, Johan (45)
14 WALCOTT, Theo
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey (45)
16 RAMSEY, Aaron
08 NASRI, Samir (45)
25 SONG, Alex
26 FRIMPONG, Emmanuel (45)
10 WILSHERE, Jack
07 ROSICKY, Tomas (45)
27 GERVINHO
31 RYO (29)
11 VELA, Carlos (45)
29 CHAMAKH, Marouane
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin (45)
21 FABIANSKI, LUKASZ
24 MANNONE, VITO
03 SAGNA, BACARY
07 ROSICKY, TOMAS
08 NASRI, SAMIR
20 VAN PERSIE, ROBIN
11 VELA, CARLOS
31 RYO,
26 FRIMPONG, EMMANUEL
18 SQUILLACI, SEBASTIEN
20 DJOUROU, JOHAN
23 ARSHAVIN, ANDREY
37 HENDERSON, CONOR
13 AFOBE, BENIK
Top Comments:
Deborah on Twitter says:
Wilshere is such a superstar, brilliant vision of the pitch, and he creates so much space for the other players. Amazing.
Ashley Marshalleck on Twitter says:
GERVINHO!!! Can't wait to see him at the Emirates! Let's hope Henderson recovers quickly, could be a big season for him!