Drogba silences Arsenal again

Didier Drogba returned to haunt Arsenal as the
former Chelsea striker came off the bench to
net a late double and win the Emirates Cup for
Galatasaray.
The Ivory Coast frontman — who left Chelsea
after spearheading their 2012 Champions
League final victory before a short stint with
Shanghai Shenhua in China — converted a soft
penalty on 78 minutes before  producing a
crisp finish.
The Turks secured their second victory of the
weekend tournament, having fallen behind to
Theo Walcott’s first-half curling effort.
Arsenal, who are still chasing a deal for
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, showed good
form in patches, but again had no answer to
the 35-year-old, who had been on Arsene
Wenger’s radar as a youngster at Guingamp.
Arsenal’s only summer signing Yaya Sanogo, a
free transfer from Auxerre, was handed a start
in attack, while Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla
was back in action after extra time off
following the Confederations Cup.
Former Gunner Emmanuel Eboue captained
Galatasaray. There was an early chance for
France Under-21 striker Sanogo to become an
instant cult hero when he collected a loose
pass on the edge of the penalty area, but his
angled shot was saved by Fernando Muslera.
Arsenal, who came from 2-0 down to draw
with Rafa Benitez’s Napoli Sunday , continued
to press and had a penalty shout turned down
after Aaron Ramsey tumbled. At 18 minutes,
Walcott expertly took down a long ball from
the Welshman into the Galatasaray box, but
could then only flick it over the keeper and
wide. Former Bolton forward Johan Elmander
caused Arsenal some concern with his link-up
play, but Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech
Szczesny, making his first appearance of pre-
season after injury, was not really tested.
Arsenal took the lead five minutes before half-
time when Walcott’s curling cross from the left
bounced through the six-yard box and
dropped into the far corner. Drogba was
introduced for the second half — to some jeers
from the home fans, who remembered him as
so often
Arsenal’s tormentor during his time with
Chelsea Dutch international Wesley Sneijder
also came on. Drogba was straight into the
action, fashioning a chance when he turned
Per Mertesacker just outside the Arsenal
penalty area, but his shot was straight at
Szczesny.
The Gunners several expected substitutions,
continued to look sharp, with Alex Oxlade-
Chamberlain looking to have been tripped in
the penalty area before a downward header
from Olivier Giroud was well saved.
The Turks threatened also as Szczesny beat
away a fierce drive from Sneijder, the former
Inter Milan midfielder. Galatasaray were
awarded a penalty on 78 minutes by referee
Jon Moss when substitute Ignasi Miquel was
adjudged to have pushed over Drogba, with
contact looking minimal at best.