Arsenal FC: What to Take from 4-0 Victory over Malaysia All-Stars

Arsenal were unsurprising winners over a brave and hard-working but ultimately under-skilled Malaysia All-Star 11 today. As expected, we saw some new and old faces do the work that earned the victory.

Here is my analysis of a few positives Arsenal watchers can take away from this rather light workout.

Asians LOVE Football and Among Others, the Arsenal EPL Brand

The fact that Arsenal's training session yesterday was cheered and photographed endlessly shows how starved the Asian continent is for top class professional football, as well as how highly our players are held in esteem over there.

The actual game was hotly contested and credit is due to the All-Stars for staying in it despite being outclassed and out-played by a very calm and sweaty Arsenal squad. Seventy thousand avid fans cheered both teams and no one came away disappointed, including the All-Stars 11 and the Arsenal team.

Ryo Miyachi, Jenkinson and Frimpong Showed Why Wenger's Faith Is Justified

Arsenal's regular first-team strikers, defensive midfielders and right backs now have real competition based on the energy, alertness, and pacey performances all three showed. The flip side of this good news is that Wenger may have a problem benching some under-performers if these kids continue to perform at this level.

What impressed me the most is that the three seemed to fit into the Arsenal way as if they'd always played those positions for Arsenal. Traore also showed his mettle, and now Gibbs will have to look behind him because if Traore keeps up this level of performance, competition will be very hot in Arsenal's back four.

Vermaelen Is a Presence We Sorely Missed Last Season, but He's Back!

Many a Gloomier-doomer Gooner has tried to diminish his importance to a solid and working defensive back four but we saw the cohesiveness, self-assurance and excellent timing he provided with Koscielny as his partner. While their opponents definitely did NOT measure up to EPL standards, his return still coincides with a potential stability defensive solidity that has been lacking at times in the back four.

Ramsey, Given Time and Mentoring, Can Equal Any of Our Best Midfielders

We are all dreading the departure of Fabregas, sooner or later. The concern is how Arsenal could replace such a player. The answer is simple: we can't.

However, the team can change to accommodate a different, perhaps equally effective and efficient midfield formation in the guise of Ramsey and Wilshere. We already know about Jack's flowering as a first-team regular last season, both at Arsenal and for England. I believe Wenger intentionally left Fabregas at home in order to see what life without him would be like, and I think he's pleasantly surprised at what he's seen so far. There is still a great deal to do before a solid conclusion can be drawn, but the portents are promising.

Samir Nasri Is Happy with the Status Quo, and so Is Wenger

Nasri didn't seem out of sorts, nor did he appear disinterested during his appearance against Malaysia. In fact, he did show flashes of his mercurial brilliance and came near to scoring. I expect that now that he knows where Arsene stands and has accepted that, he will do his best to have a stellar season before he slips away next summer on a Bosman.

AW may still have some aces up his sleeve (when has he not?) but for now we can rest assured that Nasri will be a Gunner for one more season at least.

Asia Is, Like Africa, Slowly Becoming a Potential Challenger in World Football

While this game told us nothing of the sort, I watched the game between Liverpool andGuangdong Sunray Cave, and I must admit that the Chinese team, if strengthened by foreign players, would not be out of place in the EPL. They were pacey, very organized on the counter and scored some class goals.

Would they have done so against Reina? Maybe not. But they showed that given time, they'll be competing with the best worldwide. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the players that the touring EPL clubs face end up on their wish lists for the future!

This Entire Overseas Tour Was Long Overdue and Has Revitalized Gooner Interest

I am still hearing the ceaseless gurgling and whining from the Doomer-Gloomer Gooner mob, but at least they seem muted compared to the past few weeks. It was fun to see our new kit and new faces streak around the park and sweat puddles to strut their stuff once again. This marketing and PR renaissance was long overdue and will have financial and promotional benefits in the long-run. Beats the hell out of Austria!

That's All, Folks...

The proof of the pudding will be in how well this preseason prepares the Arsenal forthe first month of the EPL and CL seasons, but so far, I have very little to complain about. We'll all be watching with great interest as the Emirates Cup unfolds with ALL our new faces out there cheering us up.

Until then, enjoy the great football from a great team and please keep following my blogs to see what's going on with the Arsenal.