Arsenal started their tour of Asia in unconvincing fashion on Tuesday, but two late goals saw them to a 2-1 victory over the Malaysia All Stars.
Eisfeld and Aneke step off the bench to secure dramatic win
Arsenal started their tour of Asia in unconvincing fashion on Tuesday, but two late goals saw them to a 2-1 victory over the Malaysia All Stars.
Azmi Muslim stunned with the Gunners with a 25-yard thunderbolt in first-half stoppage-time, but the hosts could not hold onto their lead and saw Thomas Eisfeld and Chuks Aneke net in the closing stages.
Arsenal were a long way short of their best during the opening 45 minutes and found themselves behind at the interval as Muslim lashed the ball into the top corner past a helpless Vito Mannone.
It appeared as though the Malaysians would claim a notable scalp as the clock ticked down, but Eisfeld stepped off the bench to level the scores on 87 minutes.
With the hosts visibly drained, Aneke claimed victory for the Gunners in the final minute as he bundled his way into the box and found the back of the net via the aid of a deflection.
Careless
With wantaway captain Robin van Persie one of several first-team players left to work on pre-season training back in England, centre-half Thomas Vermaelen skippered a Gunners side which included Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta in central midfield, while Marouane Chamakh led the attack.
Arsenal started brightly, with Gervinho looking lively down the left.
However, the Gunners were also careless in possession, as Norshahrul Idlan Talaha fired wide.
Diaby, fit again following just a handful of appearances last season, released Chamakh, whose angled shot was well saved.
In the 21st minute Arsenal number three goalkeeper Mannone had to be alert to push behind a free-kick from Mohd Safiq Rahim.
As the half-hour passed, full-back Andre Santos blasted wide after good work from Chamakh and the Brazilian then saw his close-range effort saved.
At the other end, Mannone stood up well at his near post to beat away a fierce angled drive from Mohd Mohd Sali.
However, the Italian, who took in a loan spell with Hull City last season, could do nothing when a long-range left-foot shot from Muslim flew past him in stoppage time to the delight of the home crowd.
Changes
Arsenal made the expected sweeping changes at the break, and substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, back in action after Euro 2012 duty with England, had an early run at the Malaysia defence.
Malaysia midfielder Gary Steven Robbat let fly from 30 yards, but was off target.
Young Gunners forward Benik Afobe latched onto a quick free-kick from Ryo Miyaichi and struck the post, but the flag was up for offside.
On the hour, Malaysia forward Sali burst clear and cut back inside, but his shot was straight at Mannone.
Afobe, who had a short loan spell at Reading last season following a long injury lay-off, should have levelled when he went through, but could not beat the Malaysia keeper.
The Gunners finally equalised with three minutes left when Eisfeld fired home after good work down the right by Nico Yennaris, and then snatched what had looked an unlikely victory when Aneke's shot was deflected past goalkeeper Mohd Marlias.
Arsenal now head to Beijing, where they will play Premier League champions Manchester City in the Bird's Nest Stadium on Friday.
