Arsenal 6 - 0 England All-Star XI

(Martin Keown Testimonial)

.Lots of Arsenal news today…

First off, congratulations must go to Thierry Henry and Arsene Wenger. They each picked up awards today, the Barclaycard Player Of The Year and Manager Of The Year Awards respectively.

Thierry scored 30 league goals this season, while Arsene was the mastermind behind this unprecidented undefeated campaign. Both men are quite deserving of the awards, and this Gooner couldn’t be prouder.

In other news, new signing Robin Van Persie passed his physical yesterday, so he’s good to go for the 04-05 season. I look forward to seeing what he can do. Also, Sylvain Wiltord, seen here spraying his teammates down with champagne, has, along with Kanu and Martin Keown played his last game for the Gunners. All three men have played their part in helping the club in all of it’s recent success, and here’s hoping them all the best in their future endeavors.

Speaking of Martin Keown, tonight was his testimonial match at Highbury. An all-star England XI vs. Arsenal, it sounds like it was a blast. David Beckham, Ian Wright Wright Wright, and his son Sean Wright-Phillips, Marc Overmars, and many others were on hand to pay homage to the veteran defender.

Jose Antonio Reyes stole the show, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 win for the Gunners. Here’s the news from the mothership:

By Richard Clarke

“There�s only one Keown,” sang Highbury in unison as an Arsenal legend bade farewell to the Club tonight.

Martin Keown, winner of three titles and three FA Cups in 449 competitive appearances, enjoyed a wonderful night as an Arsenal XI beat an England XI 6-0.

Jose Antonio Reyes grabbed a quick-fire hat-trick at the start of the second half and Jeremie Aliaidere scored twice. But the main goal-action of note came 11 minutes before half time when Keown�s penalty was saved.

David Beckham kicked-off the game but that was virtually his only involvement. The England captain was pulled out just before the match was due to begin and he was substituted by Paul Gascoigne after just a few minutes.

However, the former Manchester United midfielder deserves the utmost credit for travelling back from Spain to pay tribute to Keown. A crowd of over 38,000 had turned up to do the exactly the same thing.

Returning hero Ian Wright was soon up to his old tricks. He wrestled with Ray Parlour, who started on the England team, in the opening minutes. Then he swapped his shirt - which was not in fact his, Henry and Wright had each other�s names on their backs - with a fan.

In the 17th minute Arsenal went ahead, Freddie Ljungberg clipping a cross for Ashley Cole to backflick the ball past Robert Green at the near post.

It was 2-0 six minutes later when Aliadiere skipped through, rounded the keeper and slotted home.

The big moment of the first half arrived when Green fouled Edu in the 34th minute. The crowd called for Keown to take the spot-kick. But the Norwich No 1 guessed correctly and, almost apologetically, blocked the penalty and the follow-up.

“That�s why you�re a centre half,” sang the North Bank.

Philippe Senderos came on for the second period. After an injury ravaged season since signing last summer, it was his first appearance at Highbury. Sebastian Svard was also back after his loan spells at FC Copenhagen and Stoke City.

Within a few minutes, Marc Overmars came off the bench. The Barcelona winger was afforded a warm welcome.

Reyes stung Green�s hands in the early stages. Then, in the 53rd minute, he beat the keeper by running onto Bergkamp�s pass to stroke home. He added another in the 58th minute, cutting inside his defender and thumping home from the edge of the area.

The little Spanish striker completed a 13-minute hat-trick when he curled home a shot in the 66th minute. A procession of substitutions continued. Wright even joined his adopted son, Shaun Wright-Phillips, on the England side.

Overmars set up Aliadiere to hook home his second, and Arsenal�s sixth, in the 77th minute. The Dutchman continued to cause problems to the England backline.

But Keown was still looking for a goal and by now was stationed up front. He twisted six-yards out a few minutes from time and sent a solid shot goalwards but Arsenal reserve keeper Mark Howard, in goal for England, made an instinctive save. The stopper was playfully booed for his contribution.

And that was it, Keown was substituted. Afterwards he made a short speech, did a lap of honour and left the scene.

He will not return but the memories will live on.