UNOFFICIAL FORUM FOR THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Marouane Chamakh opened his Arsenal account with a penalty as the Gunners beat Austrian third-tier outfit SC Neusiedl 4-0 in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday evening.

Goals from Theo Walcott, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Carlos Vela helped secure the victory in Arsenal’s final match of their Austrian training exercise, whilst substitute goalkeeper Vito Mannone saved a penalty to keep a clean sheet.

Despite the positives, Johan Djourou limped off on the half hour mark posing a potential headache for Arsene Wenger with options light in central defence.

Frenchman Gael Clichy came on for the second half, presumably happy to return to club football following his country’s disastrous World Cup display.

The Gunners' patient attitude was rewarded in the first half as Walcott and Emmanuel-Thomas netted in the 27th and 29th minutes respectively.

Five minutes into the second half, former Bordeaux man Chamakh confidently tucked away a penalty to score his first goal for the North London outfit.

Carlos Vela went close in the 60th minute but after sneaking his way through the centre of the home side’s defence, he was unable to hit the target.

Vela did score four minutes later, however, after a clever Samir Nasri flick drifted over the defence for the Mexican to flick over the onrushing keeper.

After a Chamakh handball gave away a penalty, a tame spot-kick was comfortably saved by Vito Mannone down to his left.

Arsenal: Manuel Almunia (46), Havard Nordtveit, Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou (29), Kieran Gibbs (46), Jack Wilshere (46), Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Frimpong, Theo Walcott (46), Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (46).

Substitutes: Vito Mannone (46), Bacary Sagna (46), Thomas Vermaelen (29), Gael Clichy (46), Emmanuel Eboue (46), Carlos Vela (46)