Torrential rain at the Mestalla tonight made Arsenal's pre-season friendly match with Valencia made the tie look more like winter squalor than a summer evening.
Cesar Sanchez sat this one out allowing a Miguel Moya a spot between the sticks for Los Che - a spot more suited to the goalkeepers' taste after the midfield hilarity at Old Trafford earlier this week. David Villa also started on the bench.
Valencia put early pressure on the hosts through David Silva and full-back Miguel, but all efforts intended for the net strayed wide of the mark.
Clever work from Nicklas Bendtner sent Robin van Persie on his way down the right flank, but again, the side's opening efforts failed to hit the target.
Play continued in much the same way for the remainder of the first half, as both teams struggled for dominance and the goal that would break the deadlock.
Manuel Almunia deserved a medal after pulling off a wonder-save to deny Mata's headed attempt from a beautiful cross delivered by Silva.
There was a similar scare at the other end too when Andrey Arshavin's in-swinging corner grazed the six-yard line without a single connection. The visitors got off lightly on that particular occasion.
Minutes before the break, Silva looked certain to be rewarded for his hard work when he latched on to a perfect through ball. However, an incorrect decision by the officials ruled the winger offside.
An assortment of changes during the break saw Eduardo and Theo Walcott come on for the Gunners, while, more notably, David Villa and Michel entered the fray for the visitors.
Arsenal returned to the pitch the hungrier of the two teams, threatening straight from the kick-off with a barrage of shots at Maya's goal. A combination of unlucky finishing and great goalkeeping was the defining factor in the Spanish side retaining a clean sheet.
Despite being one of the most high profile strikers in the modern game, David Villa's participation in the match was uncharacteristically sub-par.
A great opportunity to score from a free-kick was ballooned into the stands by the prolific striker, followed soon after by a failed penalty kick won by an diving yet unremorseful Michel - poetic irony, perhaps, in Arsenal's favor. At least for the time being.
Just as Fabregas made way for Fran Merida, Joaquin stood over a free-kick and found the head of none other than the dramatic Michel who duly nodded the ball into the net to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
Arsenal pushed as hard as they could for an equalizer, but despite the poor performance of David Villa, Valencia were definitely the side who possessed the most quality as things began to wind down.
With the final whistle ready to be blown at any second, Arsenal were dealt another unjust blow through the otherwise unimpressive Villa. The hitman was sent free and clear by Joaquin, left only to coolly slot the ball under Lukasz Fabianski and tie the game up in a neat little bow.
Judging by tonight's performance, the Gunners will have to shape up soon if they are to have any hopes of dispatching of Premier League rivals Everton on matchday one.
Cesar Sanchez sat this one out allowing a Miguel Moya a spot between the sticks for Los Che - a spot more suited to the goalkeepers' taste after the midfield hilarity at Old Trafford earlier this week. David Villa also started on the bench.
Valencia put early pressure on the hosts through David Silva and full-back Miguel, but all efforts intended for the net strayed wide of the mark.
Clever work from Nicklas Bendtner sent Robin van Persie on his way down the right flank, but again, the side's opening efforts failed to hit the target.
Play continued in much the same way for the remainder of the first half, as both teams struggled for dominance and the goal that would break the deadlock.
Manuel Almunia deserved a medal after pulling off a wonder-save to deny Mata's headed attempt from a beautiful cross delivered by Silva.
There was a similar scare at the other end too when Andrey Arshavin's in-swinging corner grazed the six-yard line without a single connection. The visitors got off lightly on that particular occasion.
Minutes before the break, Silva looked certain to be rewarded for his hard work when he latched on to a perfect through ball. However, an incorrect decision by the officials ruled the winger offside.
An assortment of changes during the break saw Eduardo and Theo Walcott come on for the Gunners, while, more notably, David Villa and Michel entered the fray for the visitors.
Arsenal returned to the pitch the hungrier of the two teams, threatening straight from the kick-off with a barrage of shots at Maya's goal. A combination of unlucky finishing and great goalkeeping was the defining factor in the Spanish side retaining a clean sheet.
Despite being one of the most high profile strikers in the modern game, David Villa's participation in the match was uncharacteristically sub-par.
A great opportunity to score from a free-kick was ballooned into the stands by the prolific striker, followed soon after by a failed penalty kick won by an diving yet unremorseful Michel - poetic irony, perhaps, in Arsenal's favor. At least for the time being.
Just as Fabregas made way for Fran Merida, Joaquin stood over a free-kick and found the head of none other than the dramatic Michel who duly nodded the ball into the net to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
Arsenal pushed as hard as they could for an equalizer, but despite the poor performance of David Villa, Valencia were definitely the side who possessed the most quality as things began to wind down.
With the final whistle ready to be blown at any second, Arsenal were dealt another unjust blow through the otherwise unimpressive Villa. The hitman was sent free and clear by Joaquin, left only to coolly slot the ball under Lukasz Fabianski and tie the game up in a neat little bow.
Judging by tonight's performance, the Gunners will have to shape up soon if they are to have any hopes of dispatching of Premier League rivals Everton on matchday one.
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