Arsenal slump to Valencia defeat

Two goals in the final 15 minutes ensured that Arsenal's pre-season campaign ended in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Valencia at the Mestalla.

Michel opened the scoring after 75 minutes and David Villa added the second on the stroke of full-time after Villa had earlier seen his penalty saved by Lukasz Fabianksi.

The hosts started out the brighter of the two sides in pouring rain, and they had the first decent opportunity of the match after just two minutes.

The ball was worked out to the right hand side of the penalty area where Pablo Hernandez was well placed, but the midfielder dragged his effort wide of Manuel Almunia's right hand post.

Arsenal's only early effort of any note came from Robin Van Persie who fired a fierce cross shot in from the right wing that flashed narrowly wide of Miguel Angel Moya's upright.

It was the home side that continued to create the better first half chances, however, with the outstanding opportunity of the first 45 minutes falling to Juan Manuel Mata after 20 minutes.

A Valencia corner was worked back into the box, where Mata slipped past Arshavin and had only Almunia to beat, but a brave stop from the Arsenal keeper at point blank range denied the forward.

Immediately afterwards Arsenal launched a swift counter attack from which Abou Diaby found himself with one-on-one with Moya, but his footwork let him down at the vital time.

Both sides made wholesale changes at half time, with Arsenal making seven substitutions - and it was the new-look visitors who began the half the brighter.

Theo Walcott almost made an immediate impact after just five minutes of the second period when he found himself unmarked on the edge of the Valencia penalty area, but his first time effort flew inches wide.

Valencia's own substitute Villa was causing Arsenal all sorts of problems with his movement and he should have scored twice before the hosts were awarded a penalty after 69 minutes.

Michel went down somewhat theatrically in the box, but the spot kick was saved by Fabianski diving to his right to deny Villa.

The hosts took the lead some six minutes later when a right wing cross found its way to Michel around 15 yards out and he made no mistake with a precise finish past the Arsenal substitute keeper.

The Gunners attempted to get back on level terms, but were caught on the break in the last minute when Villa sprang the offside trap and finished from a tight angle past the helpless Fabianksi.

Via: Yahoo! Sport