Cologne 0 Arsenal 4: Podolski bags two as wantaway captain gets booed on return

 

Welcome: Olivier Giroud, another summer signing was on show alongside Podolski

Robin van Persie was left in the shadows by new Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski as the Dutchman had his first run-out for the club since he released a controversial statement revealed he planned to leave.
The Gunners were playing in their final pre-season match before the Premier League kicks off on Saturday, and ran out 4-0 winners with two goals from their £11million German striker, and one each from Thomas Vermaelen and Gervinho.

Van Persie was left on the bench until the last 20 minutes, with the majority of the Gunners squad being given vital playing time ahead of him.

He took the captain’s armband from Vermaelen after replacing Podolski and was booed by some Arsenal fans.
Other new signings Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla all featured from the start, while Abou Diaby continued his first for fitness with a much-needed appearance.

The Gunners got off to the perfect start in the Rhein Energie Stadion as Cazorla’s corner kick was flicked on at the near post by Per Mertesacker for Vermaelen to power in a header at the back post.
Podolski doubled the lead against his former club from the penalty spot in the 15th minute after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought down in the area.

The German international then got his second three minutes before half-time after a fine pass from Francis Coquelin found Kieran Gibbs on the left. He got to the byline and cut the ball back for Podolski to apply the finish.
Cologne began the second half better but Arsenal’s inventive attacking play continued to cause the home side problems and they went further behind in the 60th minute as Gervinho cut in from the wing before slotting in at the near post.
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