Santi Cazorla inspires Arsenal to a 3-1 win over Everton. Dimitri Payet nets twice on his West Ham debut. Sadio Mane is amongst the goals as Southampton sweep aside Groningen, Marko Arnautovic nets for Stoke, Bafetimbi Gomis opens his summer account for the Swans, whilst Bournemouth and Newcastle grind out narrow wins as Palace falter in Germany.
A reminder that all these results, along with Scout Notes on formations and form players is being captured on our dedicated page right here.
Everton 1 Arsenal 3
Santi Cazorla was undoubtedly the standout performer as Arsenal claimed the Barclays Asia Trophy courtesy of a 3-1 victory over their Premier League opponents. Theo Walcott latched onto a delicious aerial through ball from the Spaniard and delivered a low finish to open the scoring. Cazorla then graced the scoresheet himself, outfoxing James McCarthy with a dummy on the edge of the box, before drilling a low strike to double their advantage. The former Malaga playmaker turned provider once again for the Gunners’ third, playing Mesut Ozil through with an intricate one-two.
Jack Wilshere was the only survivor from the starting XI that played against Singapore Select XI, with Arsene Wenger opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation. Petr Cech earned his debut in an Arsenal strip, while Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny, Calum Chambers and Kieran Gibbs manned the defence. Aaron Ramsey sat alongside Cazorla in the double pivot, Theo Walcott and Wilshere were deployed on the flanks, and Mesut Ozil assumed the number 10 berth behind frontman Olivier Giroud. Mikel Arteta made a cameo in the second period, marking his first appearance since November.
Speaking on Walcott’s fitness ahead of the new campaign, Wenger said that the fleet-footed forward is in great shape:
“He is sharp and prepared well. He is like every player – they look fit, close to full fitness. It’s quite amazing how the players are back to a good body shape and a good [level] of fitness because they prepare well. Now football has changed – they come back after holidays and they don’t start from zero. They have done their homework and he is one of them.”
As for the Toffees, Ross Barkley’s howitzer of a strike proved to be a mere consolation as the Merseyside outfit struggled to contend with Arsenal’s slick passing. Roberto Martinez mirrored the Gunners’ 4-2-3-1 set-up, fielding a back five of goalkeeper Joel Robles, Seamus Coleman, John Stones, Phil Jagielka and Luke Garbutt. Gareth Barry and James McCarthy ran the engine room, while Gerard Deulofeu, Steven Naismith (number 10) and Tom Cleverley supported lone striker Arouna Kone. After the break, Barkley played in “the hole” behind Romelu Lukaku, with Kevin Mirallas drafted in for Naismith.
Singapore Select XI 0 Stoke City 2
Marko Arnautovic was the Potters’ chief threat and doubled the visitors’ lead following Steve Sidwell’s early opener. The Austria international lined up on the left wing in a 4-2-3-1 set-up, alongside Sidwell (number 10), Peter Odemwingie and Peter Crouch. Glenn Whelan and Marco van Ginkel patrolled the midfield, while Geoff Cameron and a fit-again Philipp Wollscheid was the chosen centre-back pairing in front of debutant Shay Given. Mame Biram Diouf and Charlie Adam entered the fray in the second half, with the former coming close on two occasions.
Speaking on Arnautovic’s impressive start to Stoke’s pre-season, manager Mark Hughes revealed that they’re working hard on the training ground to heighten his goal threat next term:
“He was very lively against Everton earlier in the week and I thought he was influential for us throughout this game too. It was nice to see him on the scoresheet. It’s an area of Marko’s game that we are looking to help him improve, but he actually takes more satisfaction from assisting others than scoring, which I find really bizarre having played my entire career as a striker”
Exeter City 1 Bournemouth 2
The Cherries overhauled a one-goal deficit to emerge 2-1 victors over their League Two adversaries. Dan Gosling netted the second-half equaliser, converting from close range following a flurry of blocked shots. Junior Stanislas completed the comeback, driving towards goal and unleashing a powerful strike. Eddie Howe played completely different XIs in each half, with Sylvain Distin buddying up with Steve Cook in central defence.
Artur Boruc missed out with shoulder complaint, but Howes appeared confident that it was “nothing too serious.” Harry Arter, meanwhile, could miss the start of the season with persistent groin and hip complaints:
“We have still not seen Harry back in training and he has been to see a couple of specialists. We are still unsure as to how long he will be out for but he certainly looks in danger of missing the first game of the season. He would be a huge miss for us. Harry formed a formidable partnership with Andrew Surman in midfield and had an outstanding season in his own right capped with goals, assists and a lot of tireless running.”
Union Berlin 2 Crystal Palace 0
Following a listless first half in which a disallowed goal from Glenn Murray was the lone highlight, Yohan Cabaye made his entrance in front of the travelling Eagles fans. The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder emerged from the bench on the second period and thought he’d scored on his debut, only to see his effort chalked off.
Alan Pardew continued with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Murray leading the line and Dwight Gayle handed a role as part of the attacking three alongside Jason Puncheon and Jordan Mutch – Mile Jedinak and James McArthur were deployed in the double pivot. Once again Pardew made a full set of changes for the second period with only Joel Ward and Mutch surviving the half-time cull.
Southend United 2 West Ham United 3
Dimitri Payet offered up a tantalising glimpse of his Fantasy potential with a brace against the Seasiders on his West Ham debut. The France international’s first arrived through a searing 25-yard free-kick into the top corner, while his second was an accurate, low finish inside the left post. Deployed in the “number ten” role, Payet also played a key part in the Hammers’ third, beating a man and delivering a dangerous cross that Southend defender Luke Prosser turned into his own net. Martin Samuelsen again caught the eye, having netted in his last start against Peterborough United.
Slaven Bilic rested the first-teamers who’d featured in their home Europa win against Birkirkara FC earlier in the week, fielding a mixture of senior and fringe players. This saw a first appearance for defensive acquisition Angelo Ogbonna, while the initial lineup also included James Collins, Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho; the latter remains suspended for the next two European ties, including the second leg Europa League tie in Malta on Thursday.
Hammers coach Chris Woods was quick to praise the debutant, though admitted the side have some work to do defensively:
“Dimitri played exceptionally well, played a number of really telling passes and scored two great goals. I think that’s what it is all about, creating chances, and everybody says that if you are creating chances you are in the right place on the pitch. With somebody who can see a pass like Dimitri did, that’s a forward’s delight. It’s the first time we have really seen him on the pitch and if the forwards can make the runs, they will love that and it’s really good to see… From a defensive point of view, it’s nice to keep clean sheets but at the same time it’s nice for the defence and goalkeeper to get some work in in these sorts of games. I think clean sheets and saves build confidence and they are what we are working towards.”
FC Groningen 0 Southampton 3
A header from Jose Fonte, a simple from finish from Sadio Mane and a 12-yard strike from Graziano Pelle earned the Saints a comfortable victory over the Dutch outfit.
Ronald Koeman rolled out a 4-2-3-1 formation against his former club, deploying a back five of Paulo Gazzaniga, Cuco Martina, Fonte, Maya Yoshida and Matt Targett. Steven Davis and Victor Wanyama shielded the rearguard, with a trio of Dusan Tadic (right flank), Sadio Mane (number ten) and Juanmi (left flank) playing just in front. Shane Long spearheaded the attack from the start. Jordy Clasie debuted for Southampton in the second period, fashioning two shots across his 45-minute stint.
Tadic was the architect of the south coast club’s best moves, playing a pivotal role in all three goals. After delivering the outswinging corner for Fonte’s header, he threaded through an exquisite pass for Pelle’s goal, before combining with Cedric Soares to set up Mane. Wanyama was unlucky not to register when his powerful header clattered the crossbar.
1860 Munich 1 Swansea City 2
The Swans capped of their Germany tour with a narrow win in the capital thanks to goals from Jack Cork and Bafetimbi Gomis. Garry Monk reshuffled his starting XI for this encounter, naming Kristoffer Nordfelt in goal and a back four of Angel Rangel, Federico Fernandez, Stephen Kingsley and Neil Taylor. Their five-man midfield comprised of Cork, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Grimes, Wayne Routledge and Marvin Emnes, with Eder leading the line. Monk brought the big-hitters on at the hour mark, eventually leading to Gomis’ winner 17 minutes from time.
Sacramento Republic 0 Newcastle 1
Steve McClaren once again lined his side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation for the 1-0 win over Sacramento Republic. The Magpies boss fielded Moussa Sissoko, Siem de Jong and Gabriel Obertan behind lone striker Papiss Cisse, with Vurnon Anita and Jack Colback sitting in front of a back-four consisting of Daryl Janmaat, Mike Williamson, Jamaal Lascelles and Massadio Haidara. The latter supplied the assist for the only goal of the match, with the hosts James Kiffe deflected a cross into his own net. New boy Georginio Wijnaldum made his debut just after the hour mark as part of the attacking midfield three, with fellow sub Ayoze Perez replacing Cisse up front.
