A goal of sublime execution from Robin van Persie gave Arsenal an impressive win.
A goal of sublime execution from Robin van Persie was enough to hand Arsenal a 2-1 victory over Internazionale that secured them the inaugural Emirates Cup.The doom merchants may be hovering over the red side of North London, but Arsene Wenger's band of starlets will be confident the glory years of Thierry Henry can be replicated in the Frenchman's absence.
Arsenal may be unfancied ahead of the forthcoming campaign but on Sunday, against the Serie A champions, they were dominant throughout, in a typically polished display that was ever easy on the eye.
It was Van Persie at the hub of much of the home side's best work, as the Dutchman dropped deep to link-up with his midfield; a creative epicentre that will be bettered by few this season.
Van Persie drew the first save of note from Julio Cesar with a low drive, before going close again, with a snapshot and a free-kick that dipped just over.
On the right flank in an advanced role, Emmanuel Eboue caused mayhem with a succession of driving runs, while behind him, new boy Bacary Sagna, looks every inch an Arsenal player.
Mathieu Flamini brought another save from Cesar, as did Sagna, but the scores remained level at the interval despite Arsenal's incessant inventiveness.
Arsenal will wonder how they failed to be granted a penalty when Van Persie was pushed in the back and, their frustrations were further compounded, when on a rare Inter foray, David Suazo planted a fine header beyond a previously peripheral Jens Lehmann.
A familiar Achilles heel of missing chances and being punished seemed to be flaring up, but Arsenal's players responded in the best possible manner, as Alexander Hleb drew them level, with a shot on the rebound, after Francesco Toldo had produced a fine stop to deny the classy schemer.
The best, though, was still to come when with just five minutes remaining, Van Persie received the ball on his favoured left foot and with a gorgeous swivel, moved the ball on to his right, leaving an Inter defender bamboozled, before hammering a shot beyond a crestfallen Toldo.
