Chamakh the knife looks like a real bargain for Wenger
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Arsenal 1 AC Milan 1: Chamakh the knife looks like a real bargain for Arsene Wenger
Cool customer: Marouane Chamakh (left) shakes off the attentions of Luca Antonini to beat keeper Christian Abbiati
Marouane Chamakh made himself an immediate hit with Arsenal fans after scoring on a home debut full of class.
Whether the Moroccan can go on to become a goalscoring legend in mould of Ian Wright and Thierry Henry - the type of consistent marksmen Arsenal surely need to make a serious title challenge - remains to be seen.
But the first impression of the close-season signing from Bordeaux were all good.
When he was substituted after 73 minutes, Chamakh was given a standing ovation having scored a goal, set up a glorious opening for Andrey Arshavin with an impudent piece of skill and led the line with strength and purpose.
The free transfer looked a very good player. With £10million central defender Laurent Koscielny giving a composed performance, Arsene Wenger had reason to believe that his summer signings can prove excellent value as he looks for some much-needed strength at both ends of the pitch.
Although Arsenal, lacking Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie, irritatingly for their fans, failed to complete an Emirates Cup victory that should be been theirs but for some old failings in front of goal, there were plenty of promising signs.
Caught napping: Alexandre Pato (third right) pounces on slapdash defending by Thomas Vermaelen (floored) to glance Clarence Seedorf's free-kick beyond Lukasz Fabianski
In the early stages Arsenal went close to finding a way through from a familiar source - when their attack is struggling for a breakthrough - as centre back Thomas Vermaelen twice threatened.
The Belgium international, captain for the day in the absence of Fabregas, who has yet to return from his post-World Cup holiday, showed his heading power in reaching a corner from Samir Nasri which brought an outstanding save from Christian Abbiati.
Soon afterwards the defender powered in a downward header which left Abbiati flat-footed but the ball flew narrowly wide.
As the two sides probed for the early breakthrough ex-Gunner Mathieu Flamini had a chance to show his former colleagues how it should be done.
Little magician: Samir Nasri bamboozles Mario Yepes
The Frenchman, better known for his hard-working defensive qualities during his time in north London, displayed some deft footwork to race through and fire a deflected 20-yarder against a post with Lukasz Fabianski beaten.
Moments later Flamini, harshly booed by a section of the crowd from the start, again danced his way into a shooting position and saw another worthy effort deflected wide.
Then Chamakh struck. In truth, the goal was set up for the new arrival by a thrilling run by Arshavin, but the way the lofty Moroccan timed his run, kept his cool and rolled the ball into the corner of the net augured well for the forthcoming season.
Family day out: David Beckham and sons Romeo and Brooklyn watch his erstwhile teammates at the Emirates
Arshavin almost doubled the lead after Chamakh had set him up, substitute Theo Walcott had a shot saved and it was against the run of play when Pato headed in Clarence Seedorf's free-kick in the 76th minute.
After substitute Mark Randall had wasted two chances to put Arsenal ahead again, Gianluca Zambrotta almost snatched victory for Milan with a late shot against the bar.
Typical frustrating Arsenal. But at least there's plenty of time to sort things out.
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nothing to complain about for a player that cost nothing.
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Of course nothing to complain lah, young and free... and still got some skills...
Pool offered him more money but he still decided to go to Arsenal...
A gunners hero in the making?
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nice hair style tho.
haha~ he and willshere not bad.
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of coz dont want to go liverpool la.
to me liverpool is like a sinking ship.
1. financial trouble.
2 rafa maybe going. it is indeed gone.
3. no UCL