Saturday.
After the 2-0 win over Boreham Wood, Arsenal flew to New York City to face Thierry Henry and New York Red Bull FC. Arsene Wenger went on that trip with 20 gunners. After the Emirates Clinic and all the famzing, the preseason game kicked off at the Red Bull Arena.
The gunners started with a relative stronger side in the first half but weird looking team without an out-and-out striker. Wenger deployed Rosicky in the false 9 role with Aaron Ramsey playing behind him. Cazorla and Zelalem played from the wing with Wilshere and Captain Arteta holding the middle. Jenkinson featured at right back in what may be his last Arsenal game for at least year with Gibbs on the left. The bizarre-est combination of the starting line-up was in front of Szczesny: young Isaac Hayden and Nacho Monreal, a left back.
Wright-Philips scored from close range after Thierry Henry’s corner was headed into the his path. That turned out to be the only goal of the game with Wilshere coming close twice to draw Arsenal level only to be denied by the Red Bull goalie. Wilshere was the liveliest in the first half.
The second half saw Wenger using all of his players on the bench. Chuba Akpom was introduced and he produced the impetus needed for a striker except to score when he was one-on-one with the goalie. Abou Diaby did put the ball in the net but it was ruled offside. Ignasi Miquel, Kris Osslon, Toral, Bellerin, Coquelin are some of the youngsters that featured in the second half. Martinez and Flamini also featured.
Sunday.
Arsenal announced the signing of Alexis Sanchez on Thursday. On the next Thursday, they announced the signing of Debuchy. In the Thursday spirit, many expected another signing on Thursday before the New York Red Bull game. They would wait longer as Arsenal announced on Sunday the capture of Colombian star goalie, David Ospina from Nice for an undisclosed fee which is believed to be in the region of £3million. 25 year old Ospina was exceptional in Brazil for Colombia. He spent 6 years in Nice featuring 189 times for the French side. He has 49 caps for his country.
Fabianski left for Swansea and Szczesny needed a competitor for the starting shirt. David Ospina is surely a perfect deputy who could usurp Szczesny if the Pole becomes complacent. He will add depth to the squad and most probably champion the Cup games as Wenger wishes. Ospina will wear jersey number 13.
Monday.
Still basking in the euphoria, the Arsenal atmosphere was saturated with the eminent capture of Calum Chambers. Arsenal finally announced the signing of Chambers from Southampton on Monday. The 19 year old is capable of playing at right back, center back and even center midfielder. An ample back-up for all three position especially at right back and center back. Chambers will wear jersey number 21.
Chambers arrival may signal limited opportunities for Jenkinson especially with the initial arrival of Debuchy. Jenkinson may need to seek a loan move to further his chances of playing regular and claiming a stake to an Arsenal starting berth in the nearest feature. Chambers premier league experience adds to the squad.
Arsenal is spending this season unlike few seasons ago, and there target must sure be high, much higher than the 2014 FA cup. With everyday good news from Arsenal, what do we expect for Tuesday and Wednesday?
The gunners are off to Austria and will be back for the Emirates Cup on Saturday.
Enjoy.
SoccerGunz 