Arsenal have comfortably beaten the Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium, but the Wanderers did at least manage a goal of their own against the visiting EPL giants.
Final score
Western Sydney Wanderers 1
Arsenal 3
English Premier League giants Arsenal will be looking to make it back to back wins in Australia when they take on the Western Sydney Wanderers in the second leg of their tour. Catch all the live scores, highlights and action on The Roar from 8pm (AEST).
The Gunners kicked off their first trip to Australia in 40 years with a win over A-League champions Sydney FC on Thursday.
It was the perfect start for the FA Cup champions who found the back of the net twice through skipper Per Mertesacker and record-breaking signing Alexandre Lacazette on debut for his new side.
After testing the waters against the sky blues earlier in the week, it’s time for Arsene Wenger’s men to take on the Wanderers inside the same stadium.
The Wanderers limped their way to sixth in a disappointing A-League season before being bundled out on penalties in the first round of the finals.
While it’s going to be a tough test for the Wanderers, coach Tony Popovic can see the long-term benefits from having the English big guns down under.
“It’s very early in our pre-season but a game like this always helps the players, and to test themselves against the best,” said Popovic.
“For a lot of our young players they’ll be coming up against their idols and they get a chance to showcase themselves and showcase Australian football.”
Team News
The Wanderers will welcome the club debut of Spanish striker Oriol Riera after the 31-year-old joined the club earlier this year as a marquee signing.
Popovic will also be testing the waters with new signings from the off-season in Josh Risdon, Michael Thwaite and Roly Bonevacia.
For the Gunners, Wenger is likely to change his starting line up with most of his key players coming off the bench in a mass 10-man change in the second half against Sydney.
Lacazette is in line to get his first start for the club, while Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be looking at starts as well.
Prediction
The Gunners were experimental on Thursday night as they should be during pre-season friendlies like these, but they were still the better side by a long way.
Expect a lot of the same tonight. The Wanderers aren’t on the same level but this is a rare chance for players to impress an international audience so they’ll be fighting hard for 90 minutes.
Arsenal to win 4-0
Mitcher
Guest
I can only marvel at how many seconds those arsenal fanatics must have kept up their wall of noise. Sorry, forgive me my unnecessary swipe that nobody will read.
MatthewSkellett
Guest
Enthused for the Wanderers' season this coming October :-)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME The final whistle of the game sounds and the Gunners complete their two-game sweep of Australia with a 3-1 win over the Wanderers. A blistering first half saw them find the back of the net three times inside a 12-minute period leading into halftime. Olivier Giroud opened the scoring with a clinical first-touch finish from close range, but he was outshone but a peach of a chip from outside the box by Aaron Ramsey on the run to finish off a superb counter. The third came right on the stroke of halftime thanks to Elneny who benefited from a deflection on his long range bullet from outside the box, sending the keeper the wrong way and running low into the net. The second half was a much closer affair, and while the Gunners continued to dominate, for the most part, the Wanderers really kicked it up a gear, threatening up front and finally finding the back of the net in unusual circumstances thanks to an indirect free kick. Arsenal went goalless in the second 45 but they still created chances and entertained the crowd before they leave Australian shores. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +2 Ozil in the box... plays a deft little touch through to Nketiah who it looked to be but he misses the target again and the fourth goal continues to elude the Gunners. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +1 The pace of the game really dying down now in the closing stages. Arsenal look hungry to bag another one though. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +2 minutes of stoppage time. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' Nketiah beats the keeper!! But he hits the right post!! Oh can you believe it, nearly finds the back of the net but the woodwork denies the Gunners once again. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' Janjetovic with a big save!! Walcott nearly had that one wrapped up from inside the box but the Wanderers stopped makes a superb diving save low to his right to deny the English giants a fourth. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
89' Willcock going for a solo dash towards the box, weaving his way through traffic up the middle but he can't beat them all, briefly losing out possession but it doesn't take long for the Gunners to get it back. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
88' SUBSTITUTION Another late change for the Wanderers as Arsenal win a free kick inside the WSW half once again. It will be Tokich to come on for Baccus. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
87' Another free kick for Arsenal and it's nearly in the exact same position!! Just a couple of metres outside the penalty area and Ozil may have a second crack here. Noooooooo not a great shot this time from the German who fires it low and hard straight into the wall. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
86' SUBSTITUTION Popovic makes another change, bringing off Jack Clisby to give Tate Russel a run around. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
85' Walcott and Ozil lining it up.... OZIL HITS THE POST!!! That was nearly perfect. Curled over the top of the wall, Janjetovic was beaten, he didn't even move, but the ball crashes into the right post and the Gunner can't pick up the rebound with WSW winning the goal kick. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
84' Free kick for Arsenal right on the edge of the box!! Huge chance to nail the picture-perfect free kick here with a few Arsenal players lining it up. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Murray Bennett
Roar Rookie
Kept the net empty with a cracking save. 11/10 for style and ease.
Connor Bennett
Editor
83' The Wanderers trying to battle their way out of their own defensive third but the Gunners swamp the ball and win the turnover, pressing towards goal. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
82' Welbeck tries to trick his way into a goal-scoring opportunity but is beaten off the ball before he can turn. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
81' Beautiful loong range through ball, cutting across field and finding its mark down the left edge of the box. The Gunners with a chance here as the WSW defence scrambles back but they are able to keep the net empty. Arsenal not in the same form as the opening half. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3
Connor Bennett
Editor
80' The short corner is followed up with a looping cross into the box but again Janjetovic is up to the task, smothering the ball and clearing it away for the Wanderers. Wanderers – 1 Arsenal – 3