European giants Arsenal will make their first appearance in Australia in 40 years when they take on defending A-League champions Sydney FC. Catch all the live scores, highlights and action on The Roar from 8pm (AEST).
Not since 1977 have the 13-time Premier League champions played on Australian soil and they’ll be out to break the drought in their first of two bumper friendlies.
The Gunners are fresh off their third FA Cup championship in four years, thanks to a 2-1 win over Chelsea in May. Despite this, Arsenal will take to ANZ Stadium off the back of an innocuous fifth-place finish in the Premier League.
While they did win two-thirds of their games, they were too far off the title race to be legitimate threats, yet too far up the ladder to be considered flops. They were just in there really.
Speaking of domestic results, hosts Sydney FC just completed arguably the greatest season in the A-League’s short history, losing only one game out of 29 and breaking a host of records on their way to the title.
The Sky Blues finished it off in an absolute thriller of a grand final, beating Melbourne Victory in a penalty shootout for their third A-League title.
“Arsenal is a club that a lot of football coaches in Australia would look at and admire the way they play,” said Sydney coach Graham Arnold.
“We know it will be a massive crowd and there will probably be more Arsenal fans than Sydney FC but it’s for the good of the game in this country.
To get the clubs like Arsenal to come out and promote football in our country is big for us.”
While Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger continued the friendly nature of the contest, he was a little short on how his team are going to approach a side they have never seen play.
“I don’t know a lot about them but I know they have been very successful,” he said.
“It will be good to have to try and adapt quickly to a team that we don’t know.
“I’m sure we’ll meet two teams of quality and two teams that will play with plenty of enthusiasm against us to show their level. It will be difficult games.”
Team news
In huge news for Arsenal fans, new signing Alexandre Lacazette is set to make his debut for the club against Sydney, the Frenchman having just broken the Gunners’ transfer fee record.
Wenger has brought a strong side to accompany him, with top stars like Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The big omission from the squad is Chilean star Alexis Sanchez.
Meanwhile, Arnold has been hit hard in the postseason, with a host of his top players leaving the club.
International marquee men Filip Holosko and Milos Dimitrijevic have both been signed away overseas, while local hero Danny Vukovic has been given the chance at a lifelong dream in Europe.
Bernie Ibini is another big loss, taking a big money offer in the MLS.
Prediction
Sydney are depleted at the moment and while the English giants may be taking these games as an opportunity to try out new combinations and systems, that won’t be enough of a let up for the Sky Blues to sneak in.
Arsenal to win 3-0
Rolland
Guest
What's ratings got to do with it ,its bums on seats that count at a football match .85,000 were at the stadium fantastic atmosphere to se Arsenal who play in the greatest football league in the world is a dream come true .rugby league can only ever dream of these sorts of crowds at a regular game
Nemesis
Guest
I didn't realise NRL was played last night. If I had interest in NRL, I'd go to the "League" discussion board & engage in conversation.
Martyn
Guest
If your reply is anything to go by, must of been below that of the NRL.
Nemesis
Guest
TV ratings for a practice match? Are you being serious? Get a life.
Martyn
Guest
Has anybody the TV ratings?
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Really entertaining game and thanks for the call Connor. Gotta marvel at the quickness of the Arsenal players - just seem to glide cross the pitch. Funny comparing them to the movement of Matty "Gumby" Simon, bless his heart :)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME The final whistle of the game sounds and it is Arsenal who start their two-match tour of Australia with a win. The Gunners scored inside the opening four minutes and the final seven minutes, with a good tussle for the 79 in between. Sydney struggled in the first half and were dominated for the most part throughout the opening stanza, but a spirited fight in the second half gave them life. There were very few chances for the sky blues in the end but Arsenal had a host of opportunities on goal all night and were unlucky not to have four of five find the back of the net if not for the outstanding exploits fo Sydney keeper Andrew Redmayne who kept Sydney in it, even saving a spot-kick early in the second half. Sydney - 0 Arsenal - 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +2 The Gunners again go over the backline in the exact same spot after working the goal kick back into attacking territory. A little too eager perhaps to sneak in a third. Sydney - 0 Arsenal - 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +1 Arsenal just running it a little too fine to the backline in attack and they give it away for a goal kick. Sydney - 0 Arsenal - 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +3 minutes of stoppage time. Sydney - 0 Arsenal - 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
89' Arsenal knocking it around the back under some rare pressure from Sydney across the backline. Sydney - 0 Arsenal - 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
88' Arsenal on the hunt for a third and the sky blues are looking shaky after letting in the second. Sydney - 0 Arsenal - 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
87' Lacazette and the Ox linking up effortlessly to release the latter down the left wing. Oxlade-Chamberlain goes down in the box but there's no penalty called. Sydney - 0 Arsenal - 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
86' Half a chance for Sydney off the corner but they are supremely outnumbered in the box and the Gunners are able to clear out of the danger zone. Sydney - 0 Arsenal - 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
85' Sydney still running around all over the shop, they still want to leave with their heads held high. A corner coming up now for the sky blues. Sydney - 0 Arsenal - 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
84' Disappointing for Sydney to have conceded so late after fighting for so long but you can't say the Gunners haven't deserved more than one goal tonight. Sydney - 0 Arsenal - 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
83' GOAL ARSENAL!!! Finally, the Gunners have their second of the night!! It's the marquee man to do it. Alexandre Lacazette in his first game for Arsenal having just broken every Arsenal transfer record this year to join the club and what a way to start. Latches onto the coutner attack, finishing off the perfect low cross in the middle of the box and Redmayne was caught with concrete boots this time as he watches the ball fly past into the back of the net. Sydney - 0 Arsenal - 2
Alex
Guest
The shifting turf on this field is a absolute disgrace!
Connor Bennett
Editor
82' Crowd attendance over 80,000 tonight and they have been vocal all evening. Massive, massive support for the Gunners but the Sydneysiders have warmed to the sky blues in the second half as they show a mountain of fight and determination to stay in the contest. Sydney - 0 Arsenal - 1