FC Porto 3-1 Napoli FC
With a rested starting XI for Rafa, it was Goran Pandev who was the spike of the Italian's counter attack and he was quickly in behind as captain Dezmali slotted the ball through to the Hungarian who was one on one with keeper Helton but became cocky in front of goal, dallied and was superbly tackled by Nicholas Otamendi on the cover for Porto as they survived the scare. It wasn't a quiet tempered contest as tackles were flying in from both sides, unfortunately for Porto, Mangala made one too many. I was rooting for Porto as a win for Napoli would make Arsenal's task of winning a lot more difficult, so it's safe to say I was fairly annoyed when Mangala lunged in on youngster Calaio on the edge of the 6 yard box and conceded the spot kick. Hoping for a 4th penalty save in two days of cup action, Pandev stepped up and stroked the ball in to the opposite corner of the diving Helton and opened the scoring for the day of the Emirates Cup and got his second goal of the tournament. Porto tried to fight back but couldn't deliver the right service as Napoli held strong at the back for the 1-0 lead.
As seen on Saturday, Napoli new boy Gonzalo Higuain received a cold reception at the Emirates after months of speculation of joining the Gooners. As an Arsenal fan I found the booing very petty and desperate. A player who we should've tied up but for Real Madrid raising the price of the Argentinian after Edinson Cavani's big money move to Paris from Napoli gave the Italians a lot in the bank. Real seized the chance for more money and cashed in on a £33m deal for Higuain. Seemingly jealous of the signing a lot of fans were giving the cold shoulder to Gonzalo, trying to find someone to blame, while my corner of the Arsenal fans gave Higuain a warm reception as respect to a man who had done nothing wrong.
Second half was all Porto, as they showed there true class dominating and giving me and the rest of the crowd some entertaining, superb pieces of football. With goals from Kamel Ghilas, a Fernandez own goal and a blunder capitalized by substitute Lica to end it 3-1 winners.
Arsenal 1-2 Galatasaray
A eagerly, anticipating sold out crowd saw Arsenal fall short of another Emirates Cup. It wasn't a great performance from Arsenal as slack defending and possible lack of fatigue was to blame for a mauling of a second half. Arsenal though started with high energy and a real attacking threat as an attack lead by only new man Yaya Sanogo had a chance in the first 2 minutes but his shot was saved by Muslera. I still am awaiting the first Yaya chant, although just copying Manchester City's for Toure wouldn't be a bad idea. After spurned chances from Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey, Walcott delivered a delicious free-kick which went all the way in for the lead on half time. Ironically, the man next to us who'd been slating Walcott all day, left early for a beer, missed the goal and well never came back out, maybe a good decision after all!
At half-time, as I predicted Galatasaray brought on the big guns, Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba, two legends in there own right, with Drogba receiving a raucous of boo's from the Arsenal fan's for his ex-Chelsea links, however I applauded, maybe one not of many but I do respect Drogba as a footballer and man, he showed why. It was all Galatasaray in the second half, with chance after chance, Sneijder testing the reflexes of Szczesny. But on 76 minutes the game changer, a so called 'push' from Ignasi Miquel, duly made the most out of by Drogba was awarded with a penalty, cooly dispatched, 1-1 with 14 minutes to go, as Porto are currently winning the cup. But with 4 minutes to go the two substitutes combined in incredible style, Arsenal's young substitutes poorly lost the ball, Sneijder pinged a 40 yard pass, superbly taken by Drogba past the despairing Mertersacker was fired impudently home as he skidded down in front of the corner where I was sitting, to my annoyance I sat and applauded regretfully as Arsenal had once again shown there current squad is easily taken apart by a quality player/team, today it was two as Sneijder and Drogba won the cup for the Turks.
Now sign someone Wenger, our current squad is well below standard!
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