Another pre-season match down and another win under Arsenal’s belt.
Although Western Sydney Wanderers put up a slightly better fight than Sydney FC during the opening exchanges, as Arsenal began to break them down, they capitulated and the Gunners were comfortably 3-0 ahead by halftime.
Within minutes, Alexandre Lacazette demonstrated his class by twisting and turning around Western Sydney Wanderers’ players, allowing Aaron Ramsey to have a chance.
https://twitter.com/UFGoonerAJ/status/886164571521777664
https://twitter.com/TheGoonerette/status/886164641075908610
Just like they did with Sydney FC, Arsenal continued to dominate possession, preventing WSW from stringing more than a few passes together.
Alex Iwobi in particularly looked refreshed and sharp early on.
However, despite having the lion’s share of possession over the first 20 minutes, the Gunners hadn’t really troubled WSW’s goalkeeper.
The window is still open, can we buy some new corner takers?
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) July 15, 2017
Olivier Giroud had Arsenal’s first proper chance in the 26th minute but struck the ball right at the ‘keeper.
Looking at the body language of most Gunners, you could tell it was a pre-season friendly. All except Granit Xhaka, that is…
Xhaka rustling feathers as usual
— AFC Dan (@afcDW) July 15, 2017
Rack off mate
— Kick Arse (@kickarseHD) July 15, 2017
Big man from Sydney trying to get his 15 minutes of fame. Man like Granit having none of it
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) July 15, 2017
Xhaka beefing in pre season lmao love this guy
— Fuck Jayyy (@its_jayy93) July 15, 2017
When the deadlock was finally broken in the 33rd minute, it was by none other than Giroud, who appears to turn away from Lacazette as the former Lyon striker went to celebrate with him. And what a goal it was.
0-1 Olivier Giroud Goal HD – Western Sydney… by euro2016videos
Girouuud 1-0. Lovely link up between Lacazette and Monreal in the build up
— AFC Dan (@afcDW) July 15, 2017
Classic Oli G. Desperate for us to keep him.
— Lewis (@LGAmbrose) July 15, 2017
45m @Everton
— Kick Arse (@kickarseHD) July 15, 2017
Great move – class finish.
— MJ (@mj_afc) July 15, 2017
Giroud unreal movement, look at the dead run Laca was making on the far post lol how is anyone going to find you there.
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) July 15, 2017
Huge difference in movement from Giroud compared to Lacazette. https://t.co/PpWoQWfNav
— Andy Hug (@MightyGooner81) July 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/GoonersRelated/status/886172120379772928
No sooner had the crowd in the ANZ Stadium finished ‘Naa naah naaah’-ing, Ramsey doubled Arsenal’s lead with a rather special chip over the ‘keeper after a(nother) lovely assist from Nacho Monreal.
What an assist by Nacho
— AFC Dan (@afcDW) July 15, 2017
Good finish on his wrong foot by Ramsey
— Sylvain Jamet (@S_Jamet) July 15, 2017
Ignacio Monreal >>>> Arsenal Football Club
— Tim Stillman (@Stillberto) July 15, 2017
Ramsey & Giroud with a slap in the face for yer da
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) July 15, 2017
Just before halftime Elneny, who played at centre-back, scored a third via a big deflection and Arsenal went in three goals up with 45 minutes left to play.
Minutes after the second half kicked off, Elneny almost nabbed a second after hiting the inside of the bar.
Calm down El Nens
— Arsène's Son (@hughwizzy) July 15, 2017
Enjoying Elneny in this advanced CB role
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) July 15, 2017
Calm down El Nens
— Arsène's Son (@hughwizzy) July 15, 2017
It wasn’t all fun and games, however, as Arsenal’s intensity dropped and WSW capitalised after a backpass from Ramsey to Emi Martinez, who had only just stood in for David Ospina.
Despite Martinez putting the entire team on the goalline, WSW still managed to score and the Gunners managed to look a little bit silly.
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/886183094851584000
There's the Arsenal we all know and love…
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) July 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/Heisenbear27/status/886182737455009792
Our goalie just picked up a backpass. Come home please @13Szczesny13
— Jonny (@JonnyOneill) July 15, 2017
That was terrible. Preseason aside, that looked like pure idiocy. https://t.co/cbTHwAxEak
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) July 15, 2017
In the 66th minute it was all change.
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/886186003295223809
https://twitter.com/Wilshoholic/status/886185099070390272
Edward Nketiah once again hit the inside of the post, sparking a frenetic final couple of minutes before the final whistle.
An exciting first half followed by a far more placid second sees Arsenal win two out of two of their pre-season games in Sydney.