It was no surprise to see Ryo Miyachi start the game back in his home land and I thought he had started brightly. Pressed with purpose and looked positive in possession. Some of his decisions were not always correct and his passing was sometimes behind his intended target but the tools are there. Giroud played a ball to Walcott but really should have looked left to Ramsey, nevertheless the ball was handled in the box and Arteta kindly gave Ryo a chance to score in his country. To be honest I thought Ryo would miss his spot kick but I couldn’t have been anymore wrong. Powerfully driven and right into the corner giving the keeper no chance.

Arsene Wenger returned to Nagoya Grampus for the first time in 17 years to face his old side, and while the level of opposition was a step up from the Vietnamese teams of last week, we were well in control of the game from the start to the end. Arsene decided to go for a pretty strong line up and not the blend of youth and experience that we had witnessed in the first two games.

Starting Line UP

Centre Bacary

We’ve got somewhat of a centre back issue at the moment with both Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny both unable to play due to injury. Bacary Sagna has hardly played any football at right back this pre season and hasn’t looked out of place at centre back. I wonder what Arsene feels about Bacary Sagna in that position. Will continuous good performances at centre back stop Arsene from buying a new player in that area? I don’t know but Sagna does not look like a player out of position at present although he has not faced an opponent who has caused Bac enough problems to really tell.

Sagna’s ability to intercept, make blocks and put his head where feet fly makes me believe that he can make the switch and his experience can instil confidence in the side. This would be good news for Carl Jenkinson and possibly but perhaps a touch too soon for Hector Bellerin. Either way a new defender could be on Arsene’s shopping list but only he will know if it will be a centre back or a new right back.

Rosicky Delivery

We do not have many if any better crosser’s of a ball than Tomas Rosicky. An underrated strength of his given that he spends most of his time in central positions but I remember a few times his quality in wide areas. Once for Diaby against Liverpool at the Emirates and one to van Persie at Stoke a few years back. My mind has gone blank but I know there are more examples, especially from the right of the pitch. He found himself motoring in that channel in under three minutes and his peach of a cross allowed Giroud to easily head past the stranded keeper. Unfortunately for Giroud, Rosicky does not find himself in crossing areas too often.

Rambo Returns

There seems to be a glow about Aaron Ramsey this pre season and I am left wanting to see more. There is an authority in his play, in his tackling, in his dribbling and in his passing. His energy and commitment today was the usual. The fact that it was a friendly meant nothing to Ramsey as he chased back to catch up with opponents or bursting forward to support Giroud. I am intrigued to see how he performs against a better standard of team. We all joke or even sneer at the term killing a player and the need for squad additions is a necessity but it would be harsh if Aaron Ramsey was not allowed to continue his improvement as a player, not solely for development purposes but because his energy and tackling are not matched in this Arsenal squad.

Ryo Still Learning

It was no surprise to see Ryo Miyachi start the game back in his home land and I thought he had started brightly. Pressed with purpose and looked positive in possession. Some of his decisions were not always correct and his passing was sometimes behind his intended target but the tools are there. Giroud played a ball to Walcott but really should have looked left to Ramsey, nevertheless the ball was handled in the box and Arteta kindly gave Ryo a chance to score in his country. To be honest I thought Ryo would miss his spot kick but I couldn’t have been anymore wrong. Powerfully driven and right into the corner giving the keeper no chance.

Ryo has a long wait for the first team though. Walcott, Santi, Podolski, Chamberlain and Gnabry are all ahead of him at least.

Changes were made at half time, Serge Gnabry, Gedion Zelalem, Jack Wilshere and Lukas Podolski all came on.

Second Half Line Up

Our rhythm had been disrupted by the changes, that as well as our collective feet off the gas meant that we were not as much as a force in the second half. Theo Walcott was our main threat finding himself in goal scoring positions thanks to Wilshere and co and the England wide striker finally grabbed his goal from another peach of an assist from youngster Zelalem.

But lest we forget, we have to Shhhhhhh (have a read!), mums the word.

We could have scored more but couldn’t take our chances. The home side grabbed a similar goal to Giroud’s opener and the game finished at 3-1. A good work out from the players who played at a good tempo in the first half. I miss Santi Cazorla and cannot wait until he is in the mix. Technically our best player by a country mile that lad.

Another game on Friday and it cannot come soon enough.