FC Cologne v Arsenal Preview

FC Cologne v Arsenal

Saturday 23rd July, 2.30pm (uk time), RheinEnergieStadion



Arsenal have since returned from the Asia tour and are now in Germany

Arsenal complete successful Asia tour

Arsenal have completed their first tour of Asia in eleven years and it was a complete success. The club has improved its relations with the far east where the Arsenal fans there met their heroes, whilst on the pitch, the players took part in their first games of the pre-season. The gunners took on a Malaysia xi before facing Chinese league side Hangzhou Greentown. Arsene Wenger saw the team beat Malaysia xi 4-0 with goals from Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Carlos Vela and Tomas Rosicky, before a good test against Greentown saw Arsenal draw 1-1 thanks to a goal from Vela. The tour brought the group closer together, as Johan Djourou, confirmed today, whilst players who are new to the group, like Ryo Miyaichi and Carl Jenkinson got their first action in an Arsenal shirt. Overall, the Asia Tour was such a success that Arsene Wenger confirmed that the club would certainly consider traveling back to Asia in the coming seasons.

Gunners head to Germany

Arsenal returned to training at London Colney earlier this week after arriving back in London from Asia. The club flew out to Cologne on Friday afternoon where Arsenal will take on Bundesliga side Cologne in the club's third pre-season friendly of the summer. Cologne finished 10th in the Bundesliga last season, just eight points above the relegation places. Their star name is undoubtedly Lukas Podolski who joined the club in 2009 from Bayern Munich. Goalkeeper Michael Rensing also joined the club from Bayern Munich, earlier this year, whilst other notable names include Petit, the former Portuguese international midfielder.


FC Cologne's stadium holds 50,000

Background info on FC Cologne

Founded: 1948
Manager: Ståle Solbakken
Last Major honour: DFB-Pokal (German Cup) 1983
Last 3 season's league position: 2011 10th, 2010 13th, 2009 12th.

Team News

Gervinho is in line to make his Arsenal debut whilst Lukasz Fabianski has also recovered from injury, but Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Eboue and Abou Diaby have all been left behind in London as they look to recover from injuries. Diaby has been ruled out until September. Nicklas Bendtner and Manuel Almunia are negotiating moves with other clubs, whilst Denilson has been loaned back to Sao Paulo since the Asia Tour.

Arsene Wenger is likely to field two completely different teams in both halves yet again. A possible starting xi would be: Szczesny; Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen Gibbs; Song Wilshere; Walcott Nasri Miyaichi; Van Persie before seeing a 2nd half team of: Fabianski; Jenkinson Squillaci Djourou Traore; Frimpong Ramsey; Gervinho Rosicky Arshavin; Chamakh


Gervinho is expected to make his debut for Arsenal

Tell me some image sharing websites.. Will try to get some good pics Although my camera is kinda prehistoric and a mere 5 megapixel.. :/

First big test for Arsenal, should be a good one.

i want this team to start in the 1st half



-------------------------------Szczesny---------------------------------

Sagna-----------Vermaelen-----------Djourou--------------Traore

--------------------------------Song---------------------------------------

----------------Wilshere--------------------Ramsey---------------------

Theo---------------------------Van persie-----------------------Nasri


2nd half


-----------------------------------Fabianski-----------------------------------

Jenkinson-----------koscielny-------------Vermaelen--------------Gibbs

------------------------------------Frimpong---------------------------------

-----------------Rosicky----------------------------Eastmond/henderson-------------

Gervinho-------------------------Afobe-------------------------------Ryo--------

when is cesc joining preseason?

people from barca are in london atm. If they agree with our price of 45m, then never, if they dont, then he will play in the emirates cup

RealGunner wrote:people from barca are in london atm. If they agree with our price of 45m, then never, if they dont, then he will play in the emirates cup

I see,chances of barca paying what ever money arsenal asks is stronger than ever.

everyone at arsenal, players, manager, directors, fans, we all hope they reject our valuation and dont offer anything more then 35m

Ko is 2.30pm uk time remember. Game is live on ESPN uk.

Streams will be available across the net

Nice preview, Sam.

We're actually live on ESPN for once. I still can't get over how Liverpool playing a second dvisiion Chinese side was broadcast instead of us playing the Malaysian national team.

I'm not a huge fan of ESPN's coverage but it's a hell of a lot better than live streaming.

Hopefully we'll see a better performance this afternoon than the one against Greentown. Looking forward to seeing Jenkinson and Miyaichi again, and the likes of Afobe and Gervinho as well.

I know it's still fitness work at this point but I would love to see a nice win by three of four goals. Cleansheet would be excellent.

why not scout lukas pudolski and then sign him up later on

What time's kick off? I'm working from 9-1

ur in luck

2:30 pm

YES!!

After all this, i hope we win

SO PSYCHED!! ABSOLUTELY BUZZING!! FIRST TIME EVER WATCHING US LIVE IN ACTION TODAY

RealGunner wrote:why not scout lukas pudolski and then sign him up later on

That's what i was thinking

Idk why but i feel that pudolski is meant to wear Arsenal shirt ome day

Kick off in 3 hours time. Will put streams on here later for those who don't have ESPN

The new Ivorian striker is going to be wearing No 22 today but that is not guaranteed to be his numeral throughout the season. The same applies to the rest of the squad this afternoon.
Arsenal.com

I honestly can't wait! I haven't watched any Arsenal match in a very very long time

1hr to go , i guess

#Arsenal team to play FC Cologne: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Walcott, Ramsey, Song, Wilshere, Gervinho, Chamakh

official

arsenal against the perfume team lol