The Game

Arsenal’s first game of the season at the Emirates ended in a disappointing one all draw with the Gunners failing to win a game in which they enjoyed plenty of possession and create a lot of chances.

Without any doubt, Marouane Chamakh stole the show, not only for the goal but for the commitment, technique and fitness level. I was a little bit disappointed with what I saw of the Moroccan in Austria but today he made sure to shut my mouth in the best possible way: a phenomenal performance which I’m more than sure will boost his morale ahead of a long season in an Arsenal jersey.

Samir Nasri, simply on fire in pre-season and Kieran Gibbs also caught my attention and I was also happy to see that Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong can be excellent assets for our squad even against tough opposition.

Of course, questions will be asked on why we didn’t win a game we so-much deserved to win and why we again conceded from a set-piece where our backline could have surely done better. The delivery was sublime, no doubt about that, but it’s time we learn to defend in these type of situations a little better if we are to avoid the same mistakes of the past.

Match Video Highlights

Match video highlights are available in the Videos section of our website. If not there yet, rest assured they will be up in a matter of hours.

Player Ratings

Fabianski: 6,5 – I don’t think it would be fair to “blame” him for the equaliser though I always wonder why Arsenal goalkeepers make one step forward and two backwards when set-pieces are to be defended. You either get out and make sure to punch the ball or stay put and focus on the ball.

Vermaelen and Koscielny: 7,5 – Both our centre backs had a very solid game, especially the Frenchman(superb in reading the game and with his interceptions), but I’m very disappointed with how they defended the set-piece from which Pato scored. Looked like Laurent had no idea who he had to mark and surely Thomas could have done better to prevent the Brasilian from scoring.

Gibbs: 7,5 – Top class performance from Kieran who I believe will be used more and more in that left-back position this season. Almost all our moves in the first part of the game came from his side and he looked sharp in making his way past the Milan defenders.

Eboue: 6,5 – He was very good going forward but didn’t look comfortable at all when he was called to mark Pato at the back.

Rosicky: 6,5 – Missed a very good opportunity in the first half after finding space in the penalty area and meeting Samir’s assist to perfection. But still an overall good performance from the Czech.

Nasri: 8 – If there was an award for the best player during pre-season, Samir would surely be in pole position to grab it. I’ve never seen him so hungry and so determined to do well, seems the World Cup axe did him a lot of good indeed.

Wilshere: 6,5 – Very lively in the centre of midfield and managed to create some nice openings but was brushed aside too easily in a number of occasions. Two years to build some muscle and he’ll be unstoppable.

Frimpong: 7 – Expectations were high for Emmanuel’s performance after he excelled in pre-season and I must say he didn’t disappoint. He was up against experienced players like Clarence Seedorf yet he was not intimated.

Arshavin: 6,5 – Completely anonymous, until the amazing run which led to our goal. That’s Andrey for you of course, he can spend 30 minutes walking on the pitch but when he means business, he’s lethal.

Chamakh: 9 – Meant business from kick-off the Moroccan, deserved to score and managed to do it. Anyone would lick his lips at the prospect of seeing him alongside Robin, but how compatible are they?

Sagna: 6,5 – Pretty solid game at the back for the Frenchman who I believe was also very good in providing the right support to Samir on the right.

Clichy: 6,5 – Just like Bacary, Gael was very good pushing forward and linked up really well with Carlos Vela on the left.

Djourou: 5,5 – Looked very uncomfortable in an unusual midfield role, especially when having to close down Milan midfielders.

Randall: No Vote – Not everyone is Jack Wilshere and poor Mark Randall felt the pressure of playing with the big boys and coming in when the Italians started to push forward in search of the equaliser. For this, I don’t feel like rating him as it would be very low following that golden opportunity missed.

Walcott: 6 – Started very brightly the second half Theo but faded away as the Italians started to put pressure on our back four.

Vela: 6,5 – It seems he worked on his physique the Mexican this summer as he looks stronger than last season. Exquisite dribbling minutes after coming on as a sub with his curled effort missing the target not by much.