Grazer AK 1 - 2 Arsenal

Arsenal’s Double Dutch strike-force scored for the third consecutive friendly as Arsene Wenger’s side beat Grazer AK 2-1 on Saturday night.

Forward Dennis Bergkamp and winger Robin van Persie had hit the net in the Gunners’ first two pre-season victories - against Barnet and Maribor - and they were on the scoresheet again in this regulation win in Austria.

Veteran Bergkamp put the visitors ahead in the opening minutes but Grazer’s Alen Skoro grabbed a well-taken equaliser just before the half-hour. Van Persie cracked a superb volley to put Arsenal back in front 12 minutes after the interval.

The Judenburg Stadium was a serene setting for a football match. Pine trees surrounded the goal at one end. The other had a small mountain as background. This was a long way from Highbury or indeed the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium that is home to Grazer AK and their city neighbours Sturm, who play Arsenal on Wednesday.

All the Euro 2004 players arrived in Austria today to complete a 28-man squad but none were present at tonight’s game. However there was one new face in Arsene Wenger’s side. A triallist called Fathi began the game at right back and, at first glance, looked pacy, neat and assured.

As against Maribor on Thursday, Arsenal were ahead in the opening stages. And, as against Maribor, the goal was set up by Jose Antonio Reyes raiding down the left and cutting the ball back for Bergkamp to sidefoot home from the edge of the area.

The Spanish striker nearly added another himself in the 10th minute but he could not produce a finish to end his fine run and his shot thumped against the advertising boards behind the goal.

Grazer, winners of the Austrian Double last season, were slick on the counter and knocked the ball around with confidence on a surface made greasy by a hefty downpour 30 minutes before kick-off.

However, generally, the tide was with Arsenal. Francesc Fabregas would have poked in a second but keeper Andreas Schranz rushed out to make a brave block. He got a knock for his trouble and received attention for a couple of minutes. Then Van Persie fired a fizzing shot just over the bar from long-range as the visitors threatened once more.

So it was slightly against the run of play when Grazer equalised in the 24th minute. Roland Kollman floated over a left-wing cross for the aptly-named Alen Skoro to guide home a side-foot shot past Stuart Taylor.

The Bosnia-Herzegovnia striker was acquired by Grazer this season in preparation for their first ever Champions League campaign. He certainly produced a quality finish.

Kollman worried Taylor with a dipping shot from long-range soon after. The same player then went clear in the 35th minute only to be thwarted by a well-timed tackle from Philippe Senderos.

Bergkamp’s free-kick tested Schranz just before the whistle but, given Grazer’s late chances, the half-time score was about fair.

Wenger made eight changes at the break, leaving only Kolo Toure, Van Persie and Fathi on from the side which started the game.

Twelve minutes in, Van Persie cracked home a left-foot volley past Schranz following a teasing cross from Francis Jeffers. Three minutes later the Dutch Under-21 hobbled off following a heavy challenge from Gernot Sick. Fortunately he recovered swiftly to resume his place on the left flank

He seemed fine when he was replaced by 17-year-old Italian striker Arturo Lupoli, who was making his debut after his move from Parma in the summer.