Gunners held in Hungary

Walcott on target for Wenger's men

Last updated: 22nd July 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gunners held in Hungary

Walcott: Well-taken goal

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Theo Walcott was on target for Arsenal as the Gunners drew 1-1 with Hungarian outfit Szombathelyi Haladas at the Haladas VSE Stadium.

The England international rescued Arsene Wenger's men from a surprise defeat when he cancelled out a Krisztian Kenesei opener three minutes before the interval.

The hosts had taken a deserved lead in the 25th minute when former Hungary international striker Kenesei broke through a static Gunners defence and chipped delicately over the on-rushing Manuel Almunia.

Justin Hoyte believed he had hooked the ball clear on the line but he was over-ruled by the assistant referee.

Rifled

To rub salt into the defender's wounds, he then sliced a volley over from five yards just minutes later with the goal gaping.

But Arsenal equalised in the 42nd minute when Walcott - urged by manager Wenger to stake his claim for a regular place this season - rifled the ball home.

The former Southampton forward collected Nicklas Bendtner's short pass on the edge of the area and slammed a low shot across the goalkeeper and in off the far post.

An inexperienced Arsenal team struggled to create many clear-cut chances after the break, although Gael Clichy fired a free-kick narrowly over with 12 minutes remaining.

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