Soccer
Arsenal blow two-goal lead
2011-07-30 21:28
London - The Premier League season draws closer and Arsenal seem no nearer to solving their long-standing defensive problems.
The Gunners put together some crisp, cutting attacking play in Saturday's pre-season friendly against Boca Juniors and were coasting at 2-0 until each of their central defenders gifted the Argentine side a goal.
The match finished 2-2 in the sort of turnaround that characterised last season, when Arsenal started promisingly but ultimately went a sixth straight season without a trophy.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said he expects to make signings soon, with proven Premier League defenders Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill and Christopher Samba reportedly piquing his interest.
The team needs something.
Despite the presence of veteran playmaker Juan Carlos Riquelme in their side, Boca rarely threatened Arsenal in the second match of the pre-season Emirates Cup until Salvatore Squillaci - a substitute for Laurent Koscielny - lost possession in the 68th minute deep in his own half.
Riquelme slipped a pass to Lucas Viatri and the forward finished easily. Three minutes later, Johan Djourou failed to cut out a ball through the middle and substitute Pablo Mouche had a similarly straightforward finish from inside the area.
The groans from the Arsenal fans - whose disappointments last season included a 4-0 lead over Newcastle turning into a 4-4 draw and two two-goal leads against local rivals Tottenham yielding only a single point - were clearly audible.
As usual for Arsenal, things looked better up front.
Ivory Coast striker Gervinho played half a match on his home debut and set up Robin van Persie for the 29th-minute opener, while Aaron Ramsey made it 2-0 just seconds into the second half with a fierce shot.