Premier League duo Arsenal and Manchester City clashed in their final match of pre-season in Helsinki on Saturday.
The Gunners had the lead in the early stages courtesy of a smart finish from Theo Walcott, with that strike all that separated the two sides at the interval.
City emerged with a better tempo in the second half, but they were 2-0 behind just before the hour mark when Aaron Ramsey slipped home from close range, before Olivier Giroud made it three moments later.
Alvaro Negredo had one back for City in the latter stages, but it was too little too late as the Gunners claimed the victory.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Premier League duo Arsenal and Manchester City face their final pre-season match this afternoon as the two sides meet in Helsinki. City have already faced English opposition this summer, with a strike from Edin Dzeko enough to record a 1-0 win over Sunderland on July 27. Manuel Pellegrini will be looking for a similar performance and indeed result this afternoon.
It would certainly be fair to state that City have been the busier in the transfer market this summer with the likes of Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo, Fernandinho and Stevan Jovetic joining the club this summer. The Manchester outfit are currently short in defence, however, so it would not be a surprise to see at least one more player arrive before the end of the window next month.
For Arsenal, it has been another frustrating window thus far. The supporters were promised marquee signings with the possible acquisition of Gonzalo Higuain met with vast support. The Argentine eventually swapped Real Madrid for Napoli, however, while their move for Luis Suarez has stalled in recent weeks. One player that has arrived is young French striker Yaya Sanogo, but he is one for the future rather than the here and now.
It has been a successful pre-season for Arsenal in terms of results, however, with the Gunners beginning their preparations with a 7-0 win over an Indonesian dream team on July 14. They then travelled to Vietman, where they hit another seven goals to make it 14 in their first two games. The opposition proved tougher in Asia, but they did record back-to-back wins over Nagoya Grampus and Urawa Red Diamonds.
Then came the Emirates Cup, where salt was rubbed into the wound when they welcomed a Napoli side that included Higuain. The Italian outfit stormed into a 2-0 lead, but Arsenal did manage to secure a draw courtesy of a late goal from Laurent Koscielny. Their lack of potency in the final third, however, would have been a real worry for the supporters.
They then welcomed Galatasaray to the Emirates last Sunday, hoping to round off the competition in style. The Gunners took the lead, but Didier Drogba came off the bench to secure a 2-1 win for the Turkish outfit. Drogba no longer has age on his side, but what the Arsenal supporters would give for a player of his ilk in the new Premier League season. I am certain he could still perform at that level.
There was also some bad news for Arsenal yesterday when they were drawn against Fenerbahce in the qualification round for the Champions League. The Gunners could have been paired with Real Sociedad, who impressed in Spain last season, but a trip to Turkey is just about as tough as it comes at this stage of the competition. It is not what Arsene Wenger would have wanted that is for certain.
City, meanwhile, struggled for form in the early stages of their preparations this summer with a 2-0 defeat to SuperSport United quickly followed by a 2-1 loss against AmaZulu. They ended their pre-season tour of Asia in positive fashion, however, with a battling 1-0 victory over South China, before a fine strike from Edin Dzeko secured a 1-0 win over fellow Premier League side Sunderland.
They then faced Italian opposition in the shape of AC Milan, where five goals in the first period were enough to secure a 5-3 win. They might have rounded off that stage of pre-season in style as they took the lead against Bayern Munich in their last match, but the European champions turned it around in the final stages to claim a 2-1 win. Despite that result, the performance would have impressed new boss Pellegrini.
As mentioned, City do have problems in defence ahead of the new season, however, with Matija Nastasic due to miss six weeks of the season through injury. Dedryck Boyata has returned to the fold, but after losing Kolo Toure in the summer, it leaves Joleon Lescott and skipper Vincent Kompany as their only fit first-team centre-backs. Hardly an ideal situation that is for certain.
TEAMS:
ARSENAL: To follow.
CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Fernandinho, Toure, Milner; Silva, Dzeko, Negredo
So there we have it. Strong City side on display this afternoon with new signings Fernandinho and Negredo both selected in the starting XI. It appears that Milner will drop into a midfield three alongside Fernandinho and Toure, with Silva operating alongside Negredo and Edin Dzeko. We are still awaiting confirmation of the Arsenal team news in Helsinki.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Manchester City shaded the league fixtures last season, claiming four points from their two games against the Gunners. The first of which came in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium in September, before Roberto Mancini guided the then Premier League champions to a 2-0 win at the Emirates in January.
Taking a look at the Arsenal squad ahead of the new season, it is difficult to be too excited about their attack. They are quite well-served in defence with Koscielny developing into one of the finest defenders in Europe and the likes of Carl Jenkinson and Kieron Gibbs coming of age. Meanwhile, they are well-stocked in midfield with the talents of Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla.
Theo Walcott remains an option in attack, but it remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger yet trusts the England international in that position. Gervinho has departed for Roma, meanwhile, which leaves the club short in the final third. Olivier Giroud has had an impressive pre-season, but it remains to be seen whether he will take that form into the league season.
TEAMS:
ARSENAL: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Podolski
CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Fernandinho, Toure, Milner; Silva, Dzeko, Negredo
Finally the Arsenal team reaches us and Arsene Wenger has joined Manuel Pellegrini in selecting a very strong side this afternoon. Per Mertesacker comes into the centre of the defence alongside Koscielny, while it appears that Walcott will be given the chance to operate through the middle. Wenger has also included trialist Sebastian Perez in his squad for this afternoon's game.
City on the other hand, have a wealth of attacking talent in their squad this season. Sergio Aguero is on his way back, while Jovetic and Negredo will battle with Edin Dzeko for a spot alongside the Argentine. Their midfield is also well-stocked with Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, Fernandinho and Navas all expected to enjoy successful seasons.
There is no doubt, meanwhile, that City will believe that they can amass a vast amount of points in the early stages of the season. After they welcome Newcastle on August 19, they travel to Cardiff City, before hosting newly-promoted Hull City one week later. Next comes a trip to Stoke City before they welcome Manchester United on September 22.
Arsenal, meanwhile, open their league season at home to Aston Villa on August 17 before facing Fenerbahce in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie. Then comes a trip to Fulham on August 24, before they host Fenerbahce for the second leg. They then welcome Tottenham Hotspur on September 1, before travelling to Sunderland after the international break. Right, we are a couple of minutes away from kickoff in this pre-season tie.
Here we go then. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. It is difficult to predict what the intensity will be this afternoon, but I am expecting a draw between the these two Premier League rivals. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. City get the action underway on this mild afternoon in Helsinki.
It must be said that there is a stunning atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. It is almost like a Premier League fixture. Bright start from Pellegrini's side as Milner works the ball from right to left before delivering a cross towards Dzeko, but Gibbs is on hand to clear. Let's hope for a match full of action in Helsinki.
Half-chance for City as Silva finds Negredo in the box, but the Spanish striker had moved into an offside position. It will be interesting to see how City line up this season with a wealth of attacking talent in their squad. Not too much from Arsenal in the opening four minutes with Wilshere and Walcott both losing possession in quick succession.
City continue to enjoy possession down the Arsenal left with Zabaleta and Silva both delivering low balls into the box, but the Gunners have been able to quell the danger thus far. Arteta attempts to find the run of Podolski moments later, but the Spaniard is adjudged to have felled Toure in midfield. Still no real chances for either side with six minutes on the clock.
First real period of possession for Arsenal as Ramsey combines with Wilshere before attempting to release Oxlade-Chamberlain, but Lescott is across to quell the danger. It does seem strange that these two sides are competing this close to the league season, but it will certainly give both managers an indication of where the teams are.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 City (Walcott)
Arsenal lead! It's wonderful vision from Ramsey as the Welshman spots the run of Walcott, who bursts into the box before lifting into the empty net. Really bright piece of work from the Gunners. They lead with their first opportunity in this match.
Not too much from City in the last couple of moments with Arsenal taking control of the possession. Wilshere threatens to create another chance as he slides a pass towards Podolski, but the German cannot gather at the vital moment. No question that the Gunners are now on top with 12 minutes of football played.
CHANCE! First real opportunity of the match for City as Milner combines with Zabaleta before striking an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Nothing pre-season about this match at the moment with both sides prepared to commit players to each attack.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of committing late challenges around the opposing penalty area. The latest, committed by Ramsey, allows Fernandinho the chance to whip a dangerous free kick into the box, but Szczesny comes out to claim with relative ease. Still 1-0 to Arsenal as this first period begins to gather pace.
It's good running from Negredo as the Spaniard collects a pass from Zabaleta before driving a low cross into the box, but Sagna steps across to clear the danger. Wilshere attempts to launch a break for the Gunners moments later, but Milner fells his international teammate. Good tempo to this pre-season fixture with 18 minutes on the clock in Helsinki.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for City to level the scores as Szczesny makes a hash of a high ball, it falls to Negredo inside the box, but Gibbs is on hand to clear off the line. Poor goalkeeping from the Polish stopper. Meanwhile, a couple of late challenges continue to force the referee into action.
City have just raised the tempo in the last couple of moments with Silva and Milner starting to find space outside the Arsenal box. However, we have not seen too much from Dzeko thus far, who is the more central of the City attackers this afternoon. Toure threatens moments later, but Koscielny is across to quell the danger. The Gunners still lead courtesy of that early Walcott strike.
Another half-chance on the counter for Arsenal as Podolski collects a high pass from Ramsey before finding Wilshere outside the box, but the midfielder cannot move past Kompany, who simply stood in his way. City break down the other end with Silva, but Ramsey is back to make a fine challenge at the vital moment.
POST! Arsenal come with an inch of their second of the afternoon as Sagna collects possession in the City half before thumping an effort from outside the box, but Hart manages to push it onto the post. The resulting corner threatens to cause problems to Pellegrini's side, but Toure manages to tower above Mertesacker.
The challenges continue to arrive from both sides with Wilshere the latest to be clattered by Fernandinho. The referee does not spot a foul, however, allowing City to break with Dzeko, but the striker just cannot find Negredo with a low cross. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, but City are starting to see more of the ball.
Arsenal want a free kick just outside the box as Lescott steps across the run of Walcott, but once more the referee is not interested. City break down the other end with Silva, who has been their most creative player, eventually it falls to Dzeko inside the box, but the striker is denied by Szczesny at his near post.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with neither side able to find that elusive pass in the final third. Both managers will be quite happy with what they have seen thus far - City have just about shaded it, but Arsenal have the lead. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Silva is not happy with the referee as the Spaniard is felled by Wilshere outside the box, but the official is not interested in awarding a free kick. The tempo has noticeably dropped in the last few moments, but City are enjoying more of the possession. Walcott opens his legs down the other end, but Kompany is across to quell the danger.
Again Arsenal threaten in a wide area as Walcott works the ball from left to right before delivering a low cross into the box, but once more Kompany is across to clear the danger. More frustration from the City players, meanwhile, as the referee continues to ignore their pleas for a free kick.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but it is City that are continuing to enjoy more of the possession. The atmosphere has just dropped inside the stadium, meanwhile, which is being transferred to the players. Good pressing from Arsenal as the Gunners continue to force City back into their own half.
Seems to be a problem for Dzeko as the striker is caught by a late challenge from Wilshere, but once more the referee is not interested. It's really bright work from Oxlade-Chamberlain moments later as he bursts through the heart of the City midfield, but Kompany just manages to make a challenge at the vital moment.
Half-chance for City in the latter stages of the half as Dzeko comes close to meeting a low cross from Zabaleta, but Koscielny is on hand to make a last-ditch challenge. No real tempo in the latter stages of the first period it must be said with the challenges continue to arrive from both sides. Really bitty end to the first 45 minutes.
HALF-TIME: Arsenal 1-0 City
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Arsenal leading City courtesy of an early strike from Walcott. City have enjoyed the majority of the possession, but they have thus far been unable to find that elusive pass in the final third.
I shouldn't think that either manager will be too disappointed with what they have seen thus far. Arsenal have enjoyed some good moments, but City will feel that they deserve to be at least level at this stage of the match. I suspect that we will see changes at the interval, or in the early stages of the second period.
Just a reminder that this is the last match that these two sides will play in pre-season, with the start of the Premier League next weekend. Arsenal open their league season at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, but City will have to wait until Monday evening to lock horns with Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.
Here we go then. Both sides join us on the pitch for the second period. The result is not all-important this afternoon, but I shouldn't think that either manager will want to lose against a Premier League rival this close to the league season. It does appear that there have been a couple of changes. I shall bring you up-to-date as soon as possible. Arsenal get the half underway.
Three changes for Arsenal with Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Fabianski entering the field in place of Wilshere, Podolski and Szczesny. Meanwhile, Jesus Navas, Micah Richards and Samir Nasri have all entered for City, but thus far it is not clear who has departed. That is in the trouble with friendly games!
Dzeko, Milner and Zabaleta are the three players that have departed for City. Right, now that is cleared up. Early chance for Negredo in the second period as the Spaniard collects a through pass from Toure before driving into the box, but Fabianski is out to clear at the vital moment. It could and perhaps should have been 1-1.
Really bright start from City in the second period with Navas causing problems down the left. The Spanish winger outpaces Sagna before driving into the box, but the referee brings it back for a foul on the full-back. Arsenal have got away with one there in my opinion. The Gunners still lead by that Walcott strike with 52 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Arsenal comfortable in possession of the ball. City have certainly been the brighter in the early stages of the half, but they have not really threatened to level the scores thus far. Little over 35 minutes of football remaining in Helsinki between these two Premier League rivals.
Another chance for Navas to open his legs as the Spanish winger collects possession on the right before driving past Gibbs, but his cross is straight into the arms of the Gunners goalkeeper. Cazorla is involved down the other end moments later, but he cannot find the run of Walcott. The game is really in need of a goal there is no question about that.
CHANCE! It's really bright work from Navas as the City winger cuts inside before finding Negredo, the striker fires an effort towards the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the post. He has looked the most likely in the opening 58 minutes of this match.
It must be said that the last 10 or 15 minutes has been a slight non-event with neither side offering too much in the final third. Arsenal will be the happier of the two sides at this stage, but City have a wealth of attacking talent on the bench. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining, with that Walcott strike still the difference between the two sides.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 City (Ramsey)
Arsenal have their second of the afternoon as Ramsey combines with Walcott before rounding Hart and sliding into an empty net. Poor defending from City, but Arsenal now have a comfortable lead with 15 minutes of the first period played.
There has not been too much between these two sides this afternoon, but Arsenal have certainly looked the more potent in the final third. I shouldn't think that Pellegrini will be too pleased with his side's defending for both goals. What a boost this would give Arsenal ahead of the start of the season.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 City (Giroud)
Oh my word! Arsenal have their third of the afternoon as Walcott finds Giroud with a long ball, Kompany makes a bit of a hash of the clearance, but Giroud is on hand to clip over the watching goalkeeper. What has happened to the City defence?
Pellegrini is not entirely sure what has happened here as he sits on the touchline with his head in his hands. City come close to opening their tally for the afternoon as Navas drives a low cross into the box, but Gibbs is on hand to clear the danger. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in this pre-season tie.
Walcott is causing all sorts of problems to City at the moment with the winger finding holes and space outside the box. Again the England international threatens to find Giroud with a low pass, but this time Lescott is on hand to clear the danger. The Gunners are in full flow here with 67 minutes on the clock.
Another City attack breaks down in the final third as Navas cuts inside before finding Negredo, but the striker cannot control at the vital moment. Couple of changes for City as Jovetic and Javi Garcia replace Toure and Negredo, while Arteta is replaced by Perez - who is on trial - for Arsenal. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in Helsinki.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. In truth, City do not look as if they are capable of pulling themselves back into this match. However, there is still more than enough time for some inspiration from Pellegrini's side.
Arsenal have the ball in the back of the net as Giroud thumps home from close range, but the Frenchman is ruled offside. Couple of changes for the Gunners moments later as right-back Carl Jenkinson and midfielder Zelalem enter the field in place of Sagna and Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Half-chance for City as Negredo collects possession outside the box before striking an effort towards the top corner, but it just moves high and wide of the crossbar. Another opportunity arrives down the right for Navas, but his cross is straight into the arms of Fabianski, before the Arsenal stopper collects a strike from Jovetic.
Walcott is again a danger for City as the winger collects a pass from Wilshere before finding Giroud, but the Frenchman just loses the ball at the vital moment. Gibbs takes a quick throw moments later, but Hart is aware of the danger and comes to clear. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in Helsinki.
Arsenal are in total control at the moment as the Gunners keep possession in midfield, much to the frustration of City, who have been forced into a number of late challenges. Meanwhile, not too much of a surprise to see that Jenkinson is getting a fine reception from the home supporters with his roots in this country. Can City grab a consolation in the latter stages?
GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 City (Negredo)
It's really good work from Negredo as the Spanish striker fends off the challenge of Koscielny, before finishing under the Gunners stopper. Meanwhile, another change for City as Fernandinho is replaced by Jack Rodwell in the middle of midfield.
Better from City in the last few moments with Navas and Negredo starting to cause problems in the final third. There is no doubt that Negredo will cause defenders problems this season with his pace and power. A long-range free kick is taken by Negredo moments later, but his effort is straight into the wall.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with City prepared to keep possession in midfield rather than search for their second. I am certain that would not be the case if this was a Premier League game! Little over five minutes of football remaining.
A deep cross from Nasri threatens to cause problems in the Arsenal box, but Gibbs moves across to clear the danger. Another goal for City would make this a more respectable score there is no question about that. Not too much football remaining on this mild afternoon in Helsinki.
Another change for City as Lescott is replaced by Boyata. There is no question that Pellegrini will be concerned with his lack of defensive options ahead of the new season. Navas takes an arm in the face from Jenkinson moments later, but the Spaniard does resume following a brief spell of treatment.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the opposing half. Another change for the Gunners in the final minute as Ramsey is replaced by Hayden. Arsenal are going to pick up the win here, which will do their confidence no harm ahead of the new season.
FULL-TIME: Arsenal 3-1 City
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with Arsenal claiming a 3-1 win over City. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for coverage of Tottenham Hotspur against Espanyol. Until then!
