Arsenal vs. Wolfsburg: Score, Twitter Reaction from Emirates Cup 2015 Friendly

Theo Walcott scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal beat Wolfsburg, 1-0, to win the 2015 Emirates Cup.

Youngster Jeff Reine-Adelaide put in an outstanding performance, the highlight of which was his magnificent pass to assist Walcott. 

After thrashing Lyon, 6-0, on Saturday, Arsenal trotted out a strong team again with a number of stars featuring alongside 17-year-old Reine Adelaide:

"

Here is the @Arsenal team to take on @VfL_Wolfsburg. What do you think of it? #EmiratesCup2015 pic.twitter.com/3EdZZhLJpm

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 26, 2015"

Football writer Mahmoud Jaber relayed Gunners boss Arsene Wenger's views on the winger:

Petr Cech made his home debut at the Emirates for Arsenal and enjoyed a rapturous welcome. It did not take long for the 'keeper to be involved, getting down low to scoop up Kevin De Bruyne's dangerous cross:

Wolfsburg had the better of the early chances as they pushed forward through De Bruyne and Sebastian Jung, but Nicklas Bendtner was unable to take advantage as he ignored and then mishandled two promising balls from the right-wing.

Walcott enjoyed some chances of his own as the Gunners grew into the half, forcing a save out of Diego Benaglio after Mesut Ozil's neat pass saw him one-on-one with the stopper.

The 26-year-old managed to score after latching onto a flick over the Wolfsburg back line, but the strike was disallowed after Walcott was rightly ruled offside.

Meanwhile, Reine-Adelaide impressed with some exceptional technique and skill, per BT Sport Football:

Timm Klose missed an excellent chance to go 1-0 up at 38 minutes, as he sent a shot sailing over the bar from 12 yards after a corner fell kindly for the Switzerland international.

Walcott broke the deadlock shortly after the restart, finishing smartly with the outside of his right foot after Reine-Adelaide found him on the edge of the area with an exquisite through ball:

The Frenchman continued to impress in midfield, linking up with Walcott yet again only for Benaglio to charge out of his area and clear the ball.

Ricardo Rodriguez and Joshua Guilavogui forced saves from Cech, the latter particularly testing as he drove his strike hard and low toward the corner.

The 33-year-old was more than equal to the task though, and as sports journalist Julian Taylor noted, Cech remained comfortable and exuded calmness throughout:

Both sides enjoyed some half-chances in the middle of the second period, but neither Cech nor Benaglio were made to sweat as the shots were often targeted straight at them.

Chuba Akpom had a great opportunity to cap the win with a goal at the death as Arsenal broke forward in numbers, but the 19-year-old failed to find either of his team-mates with a mishit pass.

Ultimately, it was a deserved win for the Gunners, who performed much better in the second half but rarely looked uncomfortable in the first, despite Wolfsburg's control of possession.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press/Associated Press

The number of chances Arsenal failed to capitalise on did demonstrate their need for another striker, however, as they lacked the ruthless, clinical finishing they enjoyed on Saturday with Olivier Giroud in the side.

Gunners fans will be particularly encouraged by the display from Reine-Adelaide, though, who looked bright throughout with some excellent passing and quick feet. Expect to see the youngster again next season, likely in the League and FA Cups.

Post-Match Reaction

Theo Walcott was pleased with the result and sung the praises of young players such as Jeff Reine-Adelaide.

"We found it difficult to break them down," Walcott said, per Simon Burnton of the Guardian. "We had to be patient, but in the end we got a nice successful 1-0. The young players play with a free spirit. The club is fantastic to nurture those young talents. They fit in, they’re Arsenal players, and they showed some good stuff today."

Meanwhile, Jack Wilshere added the Gunners are feeling confident ahead of the new season: 

"We feel we made a big step last year. We had a great second half of the season, and mentally, we felt in the big games we survived. Something changed. And this season we’re excited, and we’re confident we can do something."