Arsenal, Milan draw 1-1 in friendly
Published:Sunday | August 1, 2010 | 12:00 AM
LONDON (AP):
Marouane Chamakh scored on his Arsenal debut yesterday to help his new club to a 1-1 draw with AC Milan on day one of the preseason Emirates Cup.
After Georgios Samaras scored in the 89th minute to give Celtic a 2-2 draw with Lyon in the first game, Morocco striker Chamakh drifted onto a 36th-minute through ball by Andrei
Arshavin to tap past goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.
Alexandre Pato equalised for Milan in the 76th when he got a faint touch with his head to Clarence Seedorf’s free kick, guiding it in at the far post.
Chamakh almost set up a second goal in the 59th, beating an opponent on the left before slipping the ball to Arshavin, whose pass across the face of goal was just missed by Jack Wilshere.
Chamakh, who joined Arsenal on a free transfer after his contract with Bordeaux expired, was substituted to an ovation from a crowd including David Beckham and got the man-of-the-match award for his efforts.
Good game
“It was a good first game and good presence up front,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “He played with good intelligence. It’s only one game played but the attitude in training is very good and he can only get better.”
Wilshere tussled impressively in midfield with Milan stalwart Seedorf and got forward on several occasions. The 18-year-old midfielder looked physically stronger than last season, when he spent four months on loan at Bolton to gain Premier League experience.
“I think I will keep him (this season),” Wenger said. “He can play on the flank or in the middle, deeper or wider as well. He should get a few games.”
Laurent Koscielny made an assured Gunners debut in defence alongside Thomas Vermaelen, who stood in as captain because midfielder Cesc Fabregas only returns to training on Thursday after appearing in the July 11 World Cup final.
In keeping with the traditional greeting for players returning to clubs where they were formerly popular, Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini was cheered by the home crowd as he warmed up but loudly jeered when he touched the ball during the game.