Arsenal ended their Singapore trip with a sparkling performance to win the Barclays Asia Trophy.
Theo Walcott’s smart finish gave the Gunners a half-time lead but Arsène Wenger’s side saved their best for the second half. Santi Cazorla fired in from the edge of the box after a sustained spell of pressure and Mesut Ozil added a third from Cazorla’s second assist of the match.
There could easily have been more – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain went close with a chip while Walcott and Olivier Giroud spurned good chances.
Everton were energetic before the break and scored a consolation through Ross Barkley, but they couldn’t match Arsenal’s pace and penetration – or their fitness. The benefits of intensive training sessions in Singapore were there for all to see as Arsenal kept their tempo high despite the humidity.
There was a notable ‘debut’ too as Petr Cech made his bow in an Arsenal shirt and that, like everything else, was lapped up by an appreciative, excitable crowd.
Having secured their pre-season silverware, the Arsenal players unfurled a banner to thank their supporters in this region. It has been a successful trip – and it could provide the foundations for a successful season.
TEAM NEWS
Cech’s first appearance in an Arsenal shirt was the headline news before kick-off.
The former Chelsea keeper was one of 10 changes to Wenger’s side as the manager made full use of his 27-man travelling squad. Only Jack Wilshere kept his place from Wednesday’s win over a Singapore Select XI as the likes of Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Giroud got their first taste of pre-season action.
Walcott started wide of Giroud with Wilshere on the opposite flank and Ozil in the No 10 role. Per Mertesacker was rested so Cazorla led the Gunners out – just ahead of Cech – to face an Everton side that beat Stoke City on penalties to reach the final.
This was a Premier League clash on foreign soil but, aside from a pocket of noisy Everton fans behind one of the goals, it was clear where the local fans’ allegiances lay. The virtually-full national stadium was a mass of red, white and yellow as the seventh Asia Trophy reached its climax.
Culled from Arsenal FC