Pic by AFP
When Didier Drogba left Chelsea last year after scoring 13 goals in 14 games against Arsenal, Arsene Wenger admitted he would not be missed in north London. "Drogba did a lot of damage against us," he noted, wryly.
Fast-forward 12 months and Wenger must have wondered if he was waking from a recurring nightmare. At half-time of yesterday's match his Arsenal team were in sight of a raretaste of silverware with a first victory in their own Emirates Cup tournament since 2010. Enter Drogba, with his familiar brand of skill, devastating finishing and, yes, some fairly shameless penalty-area theatrics, and Arsenal were beaten.
In nine second-half minutes Wenger's team had gone from dominating the match at 1-0 up – in the 38th minute Theo Walcott's cross evaded everyone, including Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera – to wondering where it had all gone wrong at 2-1 down.
Drogba, inevitably, was the scorer of both Galatasaray goals.
The first, from the penalty spot, followed the slightest of touches in the back from Ignasi Miquel. It was still sufficient to send Drogba, all 6'3" of him, crashing to the floor and successfully persuading referee Jon Moss of the perceived injustice.
Wenger, as well as the Arsenal supporters, complained furiously but Drogba simply celebrated in front of them with relish. "It was classic Drogba," said Wenger. "The penalty was very, very, very, very, very, very soft."
There was no controversy about the second; simply a moment of pure class. Wesley Sneijder, another half-time substitute, dissected Arsenal's defence, allowing Drogba to turn easily inside Per Mertesacker and finish superbly past Wojciech Szczesny.
It was enough to ensure that Galatsaray beat Arsenal, as well as Porto and Napoli, to this year's Emirates Cup. It was also a timely reminder of the difference a truly world-class striker can make.
Arsenal have been without one since selling Robin van Persie last summer and the boos on the final whistle yesterday were indicative of the frustration that simmers now at the Emirates.
Arsenal now have only one game and 12 days before they begin their season against Aston Villa and the sole summer signing is still Yaya Sanogo, a 20-year-old free transfer.
For a club who had begun the summer privately planning to add as many as three "world-class" signings, it has been an underwhelming return.
"Drogba has kept his resources," said Wenger. "He has kept his physical strength, his intelligent game and he finished well."
If Arsenal are to challenge for more than the Emirates Cup this season, it was a glimpse of the sort of class Wenger must add over the next month.
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