The Game

It might as well be only pre-season but today’s game has yet again demonstrated how easy it is for “new” players to settle down at Arsenal.

Carl Jenkinson and Ryo Miyaichi in the first half, Armand Traore and Emmanuel Frimpong in the second showed that even though they are, well, you know, like “new signings”, they were not shy to keep the ball, get involved and do well against a stubborn Malaysia XI side.

What was important to understand from this game and what will be important to understand as pre-season unfolds is first of all who will take over from Gael Clichy on the left wing and also where Ryo Miyaichi, Gervinho, Marouane Chamakh and Carlos Vela will fit in the offensive department.

Defensively, we had very little to do but I must say I was impressed with the fitness level of Jenkinson, confirming what Thomas Vermaelen said to Arsenal Player. The former Charlton Athletic man was indeed very quick to recover when caught on the back foot showing good pace and great determination. What this means for Emmanuel Eboue I don’t know but it seems more and more likely for Carl to be Bacary’s backup on the right.

In midfield, Jack and Aaron were sharp in the first half, especially the Welshman who produced a couple of good assists with Emmanuel Frimpong and Tomas Rosicky also doing well in the second. To be said is that Denilson was taken on after twenty minutes on the pitch. Granted, he made a terrible mistake with his first touch and was dispossessed minutes later but if not injured, replacing him like that was not nice to do.

And we of course were lethal – when needed – in the offensive department. Marouane Chamakh – the only player who disappointed me today – looked lazy and uninterested but the rest did well, including back-from-loan Carlos Vela who scored one, could have added two more and produced two assists showing that he is sharp and ready to go. Learn to use that right foot Carlos and more goals will follow.

Anyway, it’s nice to have football back and it’s nice to be back rating players. I’m still rusty so take it easy if your favourite player was not rated as high as you expected.

As always, whether you agree with my ratings or not, submit your own at Arsenal Interactive and make sure to share them on Twitter and Facebook.

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

Szczesny: 6 – Not much to do for the young Pole but was ready to tip it over for a corner a Safiq Rahim attempt.

Jenkinson: 7,5 – Well done, Carl. Did impressively well on the right, blocking Kunalan A/L Subramaniam whenever the 24-year old surged forward and I also liked his involvement when we were on the attack, creating space for his team-mates. Granted, he was caught on the back foot a couple of times but he’s new, I’m sure he will learn.

Koscielny and Vermaelen: 6 / 6,5 – The two started at the back but in all honesty they had very, very little to do. Having said that, it’s great to see Thomas back in the side and eager to impress as the brilliant 23rd minute tackle showed.

Gibbs: 6 – So and so from Kieran. I’m still not 100% confident of his defensive skills and considering Armand was a better player on the day, it will be nice to see what Arsene decides when the going gets tough.

Song: 6,5 – Made a number of good runs going forward and good distribution of the ball.

Wilshere: 6,5 – Looked sharp from the first minute Jack. Gave very little to the opposition in midfield, won the penalty and assisted Theo in the first half who went on to miss the chance.

Ramsey: 7,5 – Extremely lively. Kept his cool to give us the lead after five minutes, assisted his team mates including the one for Theo’s second and went close to score a second after meeting Vela’s pass in the second half.

Miyaichi: 6,5 – Expectations were high and he didn’t disappoint considering it was his first game. Quick feet, great footwork, nice tricks and not shy to help defensively and fight for the ball.

Walcott: 7 – Not the best of starts for Theo as he missed a good chance early on but recovered well, chipping the goalkeeper for our second and then delivering a brilliant ball who Chamakh opted not to chase.

Chamakh: 5 – The only one who disappointed. Slow on the ball, slow to understand his team mates’ intentions and lazy to meet crosses coming from Ryo and Theo. You need to wake up Marouane if you don’t want to end up like Nicklas.

(Subs)
Mannone: 6 – Unless I missed others, he only made one easy save towards the end of the game.

Sagna: 6 – Came in after when the game started to slow down but nonetheless he did well, making himself available when we attacked from the right.

Squillaci and Djourou: 6 – Like the other two, not much to do for the Frenchman and the Swiss although Johan made a mistake in the 88th minute that gifted a chance to the local side but luckily we survived.

Traore: 7 – Impressive. I admit I am not a big fan of Armand and of course this is only pre-season so there will be time to judge but based on today’s game, if I had to choose between him and Kieran for the left wing, my vote will be for the Frenchman.

Nasri: 6,5 – Lively, although he looked uninterested in certain moments, could be just my imagination. Great work in the 69th minute, setting Carlos Vela up who hesitated and made a number of interesting runs in the last part of the game.

Rosicky: 6,5 – The one to assist Carlos Vela for our third, went close in the 80th minute after the Mexican turned provider and of course scored the easy fourth which sealed the game.

Denilson: No Vote – I’m curious to see what Arsene has to say about such a bizarre move, replacing the Brasilian after only 20 minutes on the pitch. He didn’t look injured, that’s for sure.

Frimpong: 6,5 – A monster and I’m sure he will feature more and more this season. Not too good when he pushed forward but when he needed to do what he does best, holding the midfield, he was impressive.

van Persie: 6,5 – Quiet game by his standard but was still dangerous like in the 80th minute when he did exceptionally well on the left, delivering a cross for Vela who set-up Tomas Rosicky.

Arshavin: 6,5 – Dick Advocaat was right after all, not a 90-minute man is Andrey. I completely forgot he was on the pitch, honest, yet when he woke up he did just what he’s so good at, doing all the dirty work for Tomas who easily slotted it in.

Vela: 7 – Delicious assist for Aaron Ramsey in the 51th minute, made no mistake seven minutes later finishing with his trademark chip but wasteful in front of goal in the 69th minute as he wanted to finish a move in style. Again turned provider this time for Tomas Rosicky on minute 80, concluding a very good performance as the Mexican, yet again, doesn’t disappoint.