Zimpapers Logo

NEW YORK. — Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal’s whistle-stop tour of America was not a wasted journey despite their 1-0 defeat to New York Red Bulls.
Bradley Wright-Phillips – adopted son of Arsenal legend Ian Wright –  scored the only goal of the game as the Gunners suffered their first pre-season defeat of the summer.Red Bulls, who are captained by Gunners hero Thierry Henry, are midway through their MLS season and looked much fitter than the English side.

And despite the loss Wenger said his side’s four day trip to the Big Apple was beneficial.

“It was a great training exercise, no one is injured and that’s the important thing,” said Wenger.

“It’s been a good trip, we don’t want to go home. They were too fit for us at this stage of our pre-season so it’s fortunate no one got injured.”

And if Arsenal need a boost after their pre-season defeat against New York Red Bulls, they’ll get it in the shape of Alexis Sanchez this week.

In the grand scheme of things their 1-0 loss to Henry’s side in New Jersey doesn’t mean an awful lot.

But if there were any glum faces on the six hour flight back to London yesterday morning, the sight of their new £30million man should turn those frowns upside down.

Sanchez is due to report to London Colney to start pre-season this week, with French duo Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud due to follow soon after.

Wenger takes his side to their annual Austrian training camp this afternoon knowing his squad is slowly taking shape.

Defeat, albeit in a friendly is never ideal, but their whistle-stop tour of the Big Apple was always more about commercial gain than football.

Wenger started with a strong starting XI, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Wojciech Szczesny, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey all selected.

With Giroud still on his summer holidays, Wenger’s lack of options at centre-forward saw Tomas Rosicky start as a lone striker.

But it was the hosts who carved out the first chance, with no prizes for guessing who was at the forefront of the move.

Henry’s perfectly timed run was spotted by former Leeds winger Lloyd Sam, but for once the Frenchman’s finishing was wasteful as he fired wide. — Mailonline.