[size=7]Arsenal name youthful squad for Memorial Cup
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Arsenal kick off their pre-season programme on Saturday in the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup - and will bring a blend of youth and experience down to Southampton for the tournament.

The Gunners will face Premier League newcomers Southampton and Belgian side Anderlecht as part of a round-robin tournament of 45-minute matches. Arsène Wenger’s side open against Anderlecht at 6.45pm, before rounding off the day against the hosts at 8pm.

Arsène Wenger has named a young squad for the matches at St Mary’s, although the likes of Gervinho, Johan Djourou, Marouane Chamakh, Andre Santos, Francis Coquelin and Kieran Gibbs are all included in the 23-man squad.

None of the Club’s players who featured at Euro 2012 are in the travelling party as they are yet to return to training.

But those Arsenal fans attending the tournament will have the opportunity to see Kyle Bartley, Vito Mannone and Henri Lansbury back in Arsenal colours again after successful loan spells at Rangers, Hull City and West Ham respectively last season.

There is also the chance to see some of the Club’s rising stars in action, such as Dutch midfielder Kyle Ebecilio, exciting Swedish teenager Kristoffer Olsson and German star Thomas Eisfeld.

Remember, you can follow live updates from the tournament via our @Arsenal Twitter account. Use the hashtag #AFCvAND for the Anderlecht game and #SFCvAFC for the Southampton game.

Match reports will be available on Arsenal.com shortly after each game is over. Look out for highlights on Arsenal Player from Sunday afternoon and post-match reaction from Monday.

Sorry :lol:

Although I believe he is attracting interest from France. SC Bastia were interested last time I checked.

[size=7]Anderlecht 0-1 Arsenal[/size]
Lansbury 34

By Rob Kelly at St Mary’s Stadium

Henri Lansbury announced his return to Arsenal in fine style by scoring the only goal of the game against Anderlecht in Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup on Saturday evening.

The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at West Ham United as they won promotion from the Championship, and impressed here at St Mary’s with an energetic performance.

In the Gunners’ opening match of the round-robin competition, the midfielder fired home a fine finish in the 34th minute after good work by Carl Jenkinson. That proved to be enough for Arsène Wenger’s side.

The Arsenal manager named a youthful side for this opening match of pre-season, with Kieran Gibbs captaining the side at St Mary’s.

Marouane Chamakh was handed a chance to impress up front with Sanchez Watt, with German youngster Thomas Eisfeld playing an advanced midfield role.

Anderlecht, who won the opening game of the tournament 1-0 against hosts Southampton, made a bright start and had the ball in the net within five minutes, but Tom De Sutter was flagged offside.

The Belgians remained on the front foot in the early stages, and in the 14th minute they came close to breaking the deadlock when De Sutter headed over a corner from the right.

Arsenal were struggling to impose themselves but suddenly moved up a gear in the 22nd minute, as Ignasi Miquel sent Chamakh through but the Moroccan’s shot was well saved by Silvio Proto.

Anderlecht carved out another chance just before the half-hour mark when Reynaldo twisted his way into the box and struck a firm shot, but it was blocked by Miquel on the line.

Arsenal finally broke the deadlock in the 34th minute as Jenkinson worked some space on the right touchline and sent in a good cross for Henri Lansbury to fire at the near post. It was a classy finish, but Jenkinson deserves real praise for his tenacity and hard work in creating the chance.

That proved to be enough for the three points for Arsenal, who got their pre-season campaign off to a solid start with this victory.

Starting XI: Damian Martinez, Daniel Boateng, Ignasi Miquel, Kieran Gibbs(c), Carl Jenkinson, Nico Yennaris, Craig Eastmond, Henri Lansbury, Thomas Eisfeld, Sanchez Watt, Marouane Chamakh

Subs: Vito Mannone, Andre Santos, Martin Angha, Johan Djourou, Sead Hajrovic, Kristoffer Olsson

[size=7]Southampton 1-1 Arsenal[/size]
(Southampton win 5-4 on penalties)
Rodriguez (Southampton) 31
Gervinho 35

By Rob Kelly at St Mary’s Stadium

Arsenal may have lost 5-4 on penalties to Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday night, but they still lifted the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup.

In an exciting clash at St Mary’s, the hosts took the lead in the 31st minute through Jay Rodriguez’s header following a sustained period of pressure.

But Arsenal responded brightly and Gervinho levelled matters when he worked his way into the Southampton box, held off two men and fired in at the near post.

Both sides went in search of a winner, but with no further goals the game went to a penalty shoot-out. A consummate display of spot-kick taking ensued until Kyle Ebecilio fired the final one wide.

But it was not enough to deny the Gunners the trophy on an enjoyable and useful evening in Southampton.

Arsène Wenger named a more experienced side for the final game of the Memorial Cup, with Andre Santos, Johan Djourou, Francis Coquelin and Gervinho all starting against the hosts.

Henri Lansbury, who scored in the opening game against Anderlecht, started again, as did Craig Eastmond.

Southampton lost their opening game 1-0 to Anderlecht but settled quickest in this match, with James Ward-Prowse directing a powerful header just wide in the fourth minute, before Jason Puncheon shot wide from outside the area.

Lansbury had an opportunity in the 11th minute when he chased on to a long ball over the top of the hosts’ defence, but he just failed to touch the ball past the onrushing Tommy Forecast.

In a more high-tempo game than their previous matches, Arsenal were confident on the ball but chased and harried by their hosts. Indeed, they had to wait until the 20th minute for their next opportunity, which saw Gervinho fire just over from the edge of the area.

But Southampton continued to press, and had a strong five-minute period before the half-hour mark as they gained in confidence. Kyle Bartley soon had to be alert to clear off the line after Vito Mannone had fumbled a fierce free kick, but still the Saints attacked.

They were rewarded moments later when Rodriguez, a new signing from Burnley, rose highest to head an inviting cross into the far corner.

But Arsenal’s response was strong and within four minutes they were level as Gervinho beat his marker on the left to work his way into the area, before crashing home at the near post.

With the game finishing 1-1, we went straight to a penalty shoot-out which the Saints edged home 5-4 after Ebecilio missed the final spot kick. But Arsenal ended the evening victorious, claiming the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup.

Starting XI: Vito Mannone, Jernade Meade, Andre Santos, Kyle Bartley, Johan Djourou(c), Craig Eastmond, Kyle Ebecilio, Henri Lansbury(Off 16), Francis Coquelin, Chuks Aneke(Off 29), Gervinho

Subs: Damian Martinez, Martin Angha(On 29), Sead Hajrovic, Kristoffer Olsson(On 16), Thomas Eisfeld

Would like to see lansbury get some minutes in the prem , also what's happening with Joel Campbell?

Would like to see lansbury get some minutes in the prem , also what's happening with Joel Campbell?

Arsenal have confirmed Joel Campbell's exit from the club on a season-long loan deal.

Costa Rica international Campbell will join Real Betis for the 2012/13 season, confirmed by the Spanish club last week.

Niang- Football Manager wonderkid :D

Christ almighty Frimpong is thick as a brick sometimes.

What'd he do?

Some Sp*rs fan said he prayed Frimpong had his arms and legs broken and so Frimpong called him a "Scum Yid", and then later deleted the tweet.. While what the Sp*rs fan said is depolorable, as a professional footballer with all the attention to anything with even the slightest racial connotations, calling someone a scum yid is incredibly stupid.

Indeed he is, tearing it up for top 4 contenders West Ham in my current save. Heard good things about him, but 2 goals in 23 appearances last season doesn't get me that excited.

Some Sp*rs fan said he prayed Frimpong had his arms and legs broken and so Frimpong called him a "Scum Yid", and then later deleted the tweet.. While what the Sp*rs fan said is depolorable, as a professional footballer with all the attention to anything with even the slightest racial connotations, calling someone a scum yid is incredibly stupid.

Some Sp*rs fan said he prayed Frimpong had his arms and legs broken and so Frimpong called him a "Scum Yid", and then later deleted the tweet.. While what the Sp*rs fan said is depolorable, as a professional footballer with all the attention to anything with even the slightest racial connotations, calling someone a scum yid is incredibly stupid.

Dumb comment. Any news on the FA stepping in?

Apparently the man who filed a complaint actually had 'Yid Army' in his biography on Twitter.

He still probably should've known better and he'll learn from this.