Arsenal 2-2 Boca Juniors

Arsenal 2-2 Boca Juniors: Defensive lapses cost Gunners victory in Emirates Cup after Van Persie & Ramsey had earned two-goal lead

Arsene Wenger's side draw their first game of the Emirates Cup as two goals in as many minutes see Argentine opposition highlight familiar failings

Arsenal drew their first game of their Emirates Cup as their clash with Boca Juniors finished 2-2 despite the Gunners having taken a two-goal lead through strikes from Robin van Persieand Aaron Ramsey.

The game started at a slow pace however Arsenal felt aggrieved when they were denied a penalty when Jack Wilshere was tripped in the box but the Gunners' claims were rebuffed by referee Martin Atkinson.

It was the visitors who came closest to opening the scoring from a corner. Arsenal’s zonal marking system allowed Schiavi to get above the Gunners defence but his header was just off target.

The first half was mostly played in the middle of the field with neither side able to create any clear-cut chances as both lacked the final ball needed to slice open their opponents' defence.

Arsenal finally showed their class with an incisive counter-attack to break the deadlock at the Emirates in the 28th minute when Wilshere sent Gervinho down the left and the former Lille man did well to slide the ball across the face of goal for Van Persie to slam home.

As the half drew to a close Arsene Wenger’s side had chances to double their lead but Armand Traore and Van Persie saw their efforts sail way over the bar of Augustin Orion.

The Gunners came out for the second half after making five changes and two of their substitutes combined to double their lead just seconds after the restart.

Carlos Vela weaved his way through the Boca defence before being tackled but the loose ball fell to Ramsey on the edge of the 18-yard box and he made no mistake, smashing the ball past Orion.

Boca tried to force their way back into the game and Arsenal keeper Vito Mannone had to be at his best to keep an effort from Lucas Viatri out as he tipped over the ball the bar just as it looked like dipping under the Italian’s crossbar.

The visitors got a lifeline back into the game in the 69th minute when Juan Roman Riquelme robbed Sebastien Squillaci of the ball and found Viatri on the right who then powered a right-footed shot past Mannone giving him no chance.

Julio César Falcioni’s side then grabbed a deserved equaliser through substitute Mouchewho capitalised on an error from Johan Djourou to flick Riquelme’s through ball past the advancing Mannone.

The Gunners keeper needed to be sharp to stop his side falling behind as Riquelme’s free-kick from outside the box nearly crept in at the near post.

Both sides tried to find a winner but were unable to break the stalemate as Arsene Wenger’s side were made to rue defensive errors yet again.

Source: goal.com