Coquelin impresses as Arsenal are held by Szombathelyi

Match report- Szombathelyi 1 Arsenal 1

Summer acquisition Francis Coquelin was one of the stand-out performers as Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Szombathelyi Haladas in Hungary this evening.

After impressing against Barnet on Saturday, Arsene Wenger handed a start to Jack Wilshere, whilst Carlos Vela made his debut alongside Nicklas Bendtner up front. Gavin Hoyte partnered his brother Justin at centre-back.

————————–Almunia———————-

–Sagna——-G.Hoyte——————–J.Hoyte——Clichy

–Walcott—–Denilson——————–Ramsey—–Wilshere

————-Bendtner——————–Vela—————–

Denilson had the first effort of the game, striking the ball against the bar just six minutes in after some good work from Bendtner, who was out to impress after his poor display against Barnet. Walcott had another chance but failed to make the most of his opportunity.

The hosts, meanwhile, caught Arsenal by suprise playing some neat one-twos before Kensesei smashed a shot towards goal. With Almunia stranded, Gavin Hoyte made a last ditch attempt to clear the ball off the line but failed to do so and the referee gave a goal. Arsenal were behind and Arsene Wenger wasn’t happy.

Wilshere had found the physical aspect of the game hard to cope with, but he was still out to impress and displayed his now familiar range of technical ability and vision. He also volleyed an effort just over the bar after good work again from Bendtner.

Nicklas then controlled the ball expertly and found Walcott who showed good composure to finish via the post. Arsenal had levelled just before the break and in truth they just about deserved it.

Vela played some good passes but, like Wilshere, found it hard to cope with the physical side of the game. He was lacking match fitness but by the time the Emirates Cup rolls around he will no doubt be on form.

At half-time Wenger made four changes with Randall, Lansbury, Traore and Mannone replacing Ramsey, Vela, G.Hoyte and Almunia. The new-look team looked like this.

———————-Mannone——————-

–J.Hoyte—–Sagna—————-Clichy——Traore

–Lansbury—Denilson————-Randall——Wilshere

————Walcott————–Bendtner———–

The second half offered little in terms of goalscoring opportunities, but it did say a lot about certain players. Lansbury, as you would expect, looked rusty but still showed flashes of brilliance whilst Randall did well to break the play up but often made the wrong decision by opting to shoot rather than pass.

Wenger then used his two remaining substitutes bringing on Simpson and Coquelin for Bendtner and Wilshere.

————————-Mannone——————

—J.Hoyte——-Sagna—————–Clichy——-Traore

———————–Denilson————————

–Lansbury——Randall—————Coquelin——Walcott

—————Simpson———————————-

Arsenal struggled to get going as the young side looked to feel their way into the game and they weren’t helped by numerous substitutions which kept on halting the game.

Coquelin, though, was a stand-out player for me. He broke up play expertly when nobody else seemed bothered and showed good determination. His shots at goal weren’t the best but he definitely has potential.

Simpson was one of the players with a point to prove and did little to enhance his reputation. He made some good runs without his team-mates obliging and he had a shot blocked late on after good work from Coquelin. It’s doubtful that he will get many more chances like this to impress Wenger and after Bendtner’s much-improved display his Arsenal days seem numbered. He did well against Barnet and it could be argued that he didn’t get enough time tonight but we will have to wait and see what happens with him.

Some positives and negatives to be taken out of this game then. The Hoyte brothers looked suspect at centre-back, we conceded the first goal again and we failed to create many chances in the second half. However, the emergence of Coquelin and the continual development of Wilshere can be looked upon fondly.

The players will now head back to Austria before taking on Burgenland on Monday night. Youngsters such as Havard Nordtveit and Nacer Barazite, who have travelled with the squad but didn’t play tonight, will be eager to impress whilst the game could also signal a debut for Samir Nasri and a return for some of the more established first-team players.