Arsenal FC: Aaron Ramsey Shines in Comfortable Asia Tour Win

Arsenal began their pre-season preparations with an emphatic 4-0 victory over a select Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur.  Welsh midfield maestro Aaron Ramsey was the star of the show, scoring from the spot after five minutes and laying on Arsenal's second goal before halftime.

Arsene Wenger included Carl Jenkinson and Ryo Miyaichi in the Gunners' starting eleven.  Both youngsters showed promise.  Jenkinson was strong and composed in defense, while Miyaichi was willing and eager down the left wing.

The midfield trio of Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Alex Song began the game.  The three players rotated positions superbly throughout the first half.  When Jack Wilshere was felled in the box in the fifth minute, Ramsey stepped forward to calmly slot home the opening goal.

The former Cardiff City prodigy showcased his immense creative talents in the 37th minute.  Ramsey received the ball and quickly turned and fired a reverse, arching, diagonal cross-field pass.  The clever piece of skill brilliantly anticipated Theo Walcott's well timed run, and the England winger lifted the ball over the stranded keeper for 2-0.

The only real negative in the first half was the pedestrian performance of Marouane Chamakh.  The tall Moroccan floundered in the lone striker role.  Chamakh was too often static, failing to anticipate several deliveries into the box.

In the second half, Arsene Wenger introduced Denilson, Emmanuel Frimpong, Carlos Vela and Tomas Rosicky.  Ramsey remained an imperious presence in midfield, consistently marshaling and directing the Gunners best play.

The only sour note for Ramsey was when he failed to round off a superb flowing move and turn Carlos Vela's deft pass into a goal.  Ramsey eventually gave way as Wenger introduced some of Arsenal's big guns.  Andrey Arshavin, Robin Van Persie, Samir Nasri and Bacary Sagna all entered the fray and looked lively.

Tomas Rosicky assumed the role vacated by Ramsey.  The Czech schemer was industrious and thoughtful during the second half.  Consistently coming off the right flank to take up dangerous positions in the middle, Rosicky picked out Carlos Vela, who once again displayed his knack for producing an exquisite chip to make it 3-0.

Rosicky justifiably got on the score sheet, heading home the fourth in the 90th minute after dazzling work down the left from Arshavin.  Throughout the second half, Arsenal's front three of Arshavin, Van Persie and Vela were fluid and interchangeable.  The trio regularly swapped positions based on the pattern of play.  This is something Arsenal desperately need to take into the new season.

Question marks will remain about the defensive tactics.  The decision to employ a high line with little disruption to the opposition's possession frequently puts Arsenal at risk of being opened up by a precise through ball coupled with a clever run.  If a variation of strategy is required anywhere in Arsenal's game, it is for the defensive style.

There were plenty of positives from Arsenal's first pre-season excursion.  Young players like Jenkinson and Miyaichi looked comfortable, and the team's attacking flair certainly hasn't deserted them.