Returning loanee Nacer Barazite capped his Arsenal comeback with a stunning goal in the club’s opening pre-season friendly against Barnet this afternoon, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Gunners from being held to a 2- 2 draw by a determined Bees side.
Manager Arsene Wenger handed Tomas Rosicky his first start for 18 months, whilst new signing Thomas Vermaelen partnered William Gallas at centre-back. Andrey Arshavin and Jack Wilshere also started, with Emmanuel Frimpong and Sanchez Watt beginning the game as well.
The first-half saw both sets of players attempting to bed into the encounter after the long summer break. Arsenal seemed more determined, with Watt coming close following a superb team move.
Chances followed for Rosicky and Arshavin, but the slow pace of the game was evident for all to see as the game descended into little more than an intense training session.
But Arsenal were to take the lead just before the break, when Watt burst down the left flank and crossed for Arshavin, who finished comfortably from close range.
Sometimes it takes a blow to spark you back into action, and that is exactly what happened to Barnet, who levelled via a header from the long-serving Ismail Yakubu following a well-executed free-kick.
Ten changes were made at the break, with only Vermaelen remaining on the field. This gave the Underhill crowd the opportunity to witness the bulk of the FA Youth Cup winning side in action, as well as another returning loanee in Jay Simpson.
The second half was even more mundane than the first, but there was one moment of magic that was worth the admission fee alone- Nacer Barazite’s strike.
The Dutchman cut inside and launched a stupendous effort from just inside the box which flew into the net- and kept up his tradition of scoring in this fixture- something he has done in the last three meetings between the two sides.
An Arsenal win looked on the cards, but Elliott Charles capitalised on a blunded by Vito Mannone to level proceedings.
The Gunners searched for a late winner, with Luke Ayling blasting wide in desperation, but it didn’t come.
The final whistle blew and the first-team and the reserves now go their separate ways. Arsene Wenger takes his squad to Austria for the traditional training camp, whilst Neil Banfield will get the Reserves pre-season calender under way when they take on Lincoln City at Sincil Bank next week.
