Today’s game against the Red Diamonds proved a much sterner test for Arsenal as they played the last game of their Pre-season tour of Asia.

Quiet beginnings

The first half was not the most riveting of performances from either team.  Urawa showed that they were able to defend more than competently and at times gave our defence serious problems.

The hosts best chance came nearing the end of the half as Fabianski was forced to make a good save.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came closest for the gunners hitting the bar from the edge of the box.

As is becoming the norm, Theo Walcott could of done better with a few chances but credit where credits due, he made a superb mazy run and was denied by the post.

Welcome returns

Two players were included in our starting eleven today that will have made a fair few Arsenal fans breath huge sighs of relief.

It has been widely reported that Laurent Koscielny was out with a long term ankle injury.

In the run up to this game, Arsene Wenger himself even said that their was only a small chance of Laurent playing.

In the end, not only did Koscielny play, but he played a whole game and was in my opinion our best player.

He made numerous vital tackles as the last man and was completely solid in defence; I believe if we are to any chance of having a good season next season, Laurent will need to stay fit.

The other player making a welcome return to the starting line up was Jack Wilshere.  Jack hadn’t started a match for months before today and made a huge impact playing in the middle of the park.

Wilshere made numerous searching through balls along with Arteta and looked so at ease it was as if he never left the side.

Poldi, Tomas and Rambo

We looked fairly average in the first half but I thought the introduction of Rosicky, Ramsey and Podolski really gave us an attacking edge, the three linked un on more than one occasion including the build up to Lukas’ goal.

It certainly looks that all three will play a large part in next years campaign and Podolski looks finally able to bring the quality one would expect from a man who has won as many caps for Germany as Lukas has.

The Defence

Once again we conceded another avoidable goal and although our defence looked fairly solid today, I still feel it needs improvement.

For me Ignasi Miquel just didn’t make the grade today.  Although he contributed to some of the attacking play well, he looked very uncomfortable playing at full back.

Perhaps this was in part due to his preference to a more central role, however, I think that we need to see a new centre back come in this window.

Overall an average performance against a decent side.  A lucky goal from Akpom at the end provided he win we needed and we can now look forward to the Emirates Cup.

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