Match Report: Middlesbrough 1-1 Arsenal

Anything was possible going into today’s game at Middlesbrough. Both sides have had inconsistent runs of form recently, and with Boro’s superb record against Arsenal, a tough game was on the cards for Arsene Wenger’s young men.

French tactician Wenger welcomed back five senior players, two of whom included Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor. The latter scored the only goal during Arsenal’s league encounter with Wigan last week.

Middlesbrough Starting XI

Turnbull
McMahon – Huth – Riggott – Pogatetz (c)
A Johnson – Arca – Digard – Downing
Aliadiere – Tuncay

Arsenal Starting XI

Almunia
Sagna – Djourou – Gallas – Clichy
Denilson – Fabregas (c) – Song – Diaby
Adebayor – van Persie

Match Report: Barnet 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal got their pre-season campaign off to a great start with a 2-1 win over League 2 side Barnet at Underhill.

A fantastic second half display won it for the Gunners with youngsters such as Jack Wilshere and Jay Simpson impressing the 5,500 crowd watching on.

Arséne Wenger fielded a strong team for the first half, with new-signing Aaron Ramsey starting along with inexperienced centre back pairing Havard Nordtveit and Justin Hoyte.

Barnet Starting XI:

Beckwith

Carew – Yakubu – Devera – Gillet

Adomah – Porter – Bishop – St Aimie

Birchall – Akurang

Arsenal Starting XI:

Almunia

Sagna – Nordtveit – J.Hoyte – Clichy (c)

Lansbury – Denilson – Ramsey – Traore

Walcott – Bendtner

‘Rambo’ Expected To Star In Pre-Season Tournament

Aaron Ramsey is set to mix it with the best in Europe for a high-profile Arsenal home debut.

The former Cardiff City starlet – who has been handed Mathieu Flamini’s No 16 Arsenal shirt – has been pencilled in for an Emirates Stadium debut against European giants Real Madrid and Juventus.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger wants to see Ramsey tested by top-class opponents as soon as possible and is likely to give him a run-out in the pre-season Emirates Cup on the first weekend of August.

That means Ramsey could cross swords with the likes of Madrid trio Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben – the Dutch trio who the uncapped 17-year-old saw tear Wales apart from his place on the bench in a Rotterdam friendly last month.

Ramsey could even line up against Cristiano Ronaldo if the Manchester United winger completes a world record transfer before then.

Arsenal host Real on August 3, 24 hours after meeting Juventus who are likely to include Alessandro del Piero, Gianluigi Buffon and David Trezeguet.

Wenger has already hinted Ramsey may have a significant part to play this season by handing the shirt vacated by Flamini’s summer move to AC Milan.

But Cardiff star Riccy Scimeca has warned that Ramsey may have to wait for his chance at the Emirates.

“Aaron will soon find that every pass he delivers will have to be near perfect,” said Scimeca, who graced the Premier League with Aston Villa, Leicester City and West Brom.

“He might have to be a bit patient to break through, but there is no doubt that he has got special talent.”

To find out more about Ramsey and get a bigger picture of the player, read our Profile section with an up to date outlook on the Welsh midfield prodidgy.