Arsenal continued their winning pre-season form with a 1-0 victory over Hanover at the AWD-Arena in Germany, with captain Cesc Fabregas (pictured, left) scoring the game's only goal.
The Gunners may have lost defensive lynchpin Kolo Toure shortly before kick-off, but confirmation of the Ivorian's departure for Manchester City in the lead-up to the game did little to dampen his former team-mates' preparations.
Arsene Wenger's side came to the match fresh from their 5-0 drubbing of Hungarian outfit Szombathelyi Haladas on Monday, but fielded a noticeably changed side with Eduardo dropped to the bench following his two-goal salvo.
Hannover started well and scared their illustrious visitors, with triallist Nelson Cuevas doing himself no favours as he skied a gilt-edged chance to make his mark in only the eighth minute, leaning back and pumping a cut-back from the by-line over the crossbar from 12 yards.
The close call seemed to kick Arsenal into gear, however, and they took the lead a minute later through a well-worked move finished by Fabregas.
Nicklas Bendtner, who retained his starting spot after a brace against Szombathelyi, started a move which saw Robin van Persie cut a magnificent reverse pass to Fabregas - taking three Hannover defenders out of the game in the process. The Arsenal captain then rounded Robert Enke with ease to slot the ball in for 1-0.
A chance followed immediately for Denilson to make it two, but Enke stood tall to deny the Brazilian on the angle as he cut in off the left wing.
Emmanuel Eboue continued raiding upfield at every opportunity, and laid on Fabregas for a flashed delivery from the right which fizzed across the face of goal.
With Wenger's team showing glimpses of their characteristic slick passing movement and one-touch play, Bendtner very nearly sent them in with a two-goal advantage as his header was hacked desperately off the line just before half time.
Hannover took their first-half mauling on board and emerged for the second half with far more energy, instantly taking the game to the English side.
After Karim Haggui was booked for raising his hands to Van Persie, Jiri Stajner won a corner with a dangerous cross before Mike Hanke won a free-kick which Sergio Pinto curled just wide of Vito Mannone's left-hand post.
Mikael Forssell made an entrance from the bench and forced a save from Arsenal substitute keeper Wojciech Szczesny with a header back across goal, and Valdet Rama tested the Pole from 25 yards with a pacy shot, albeit at a comfortable height.
Eduardo came on for Van Persie - who had come close to a sending off after making a rash late challenge whilst already booked - and claimed a shirt tug as he tumbled while trying to turn the ball in from close range.
At the other end the hosts might have grabbed a late equaliser as Szczesny and Alex Song almost made a hash of a simple near-post cross.
Both went for the same ball, but the keeper gathered at the second time of asking to avoid a soft Hanover equaliser and ensure Arsenal their victory.
Via: Yahoo! Sport
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