adminSINGAPORE. – Chuba Akpom scored a hat-trick as Arsenal progressed to the Barclays Asia Trophy final with a 4-0 win over a Singapore Select XI yesterday.
The 19-year-old, who is yet to score a competitive goal for the Gunners, put the tourists ahead on 30 minutes with a low finish from 12 yards before slotting home a penalty in the second half.
Jack Wilshere had dispatched a penalty of his own in between Akpom’s first two goals, before the young striker headed into the top corner from six yards to round off a fine performance.
Arsenal will now play Everton in the final on Saturday after the Toffees saw off Stoke 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw earlier yesterday in the same stadium. Singapore Select XI will play Stoke in the third-place play-off on the same day.
Petr Cech was left waiting for his Arsenal debut as Emiliano Martinez started in goal in an XI including Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Per Mertesacker, while Wojciech Szczesny started on the bench.
They had to be patient early on, but Arsenal could have took the lead on 16 minutes but for a fine a double save from Izwan Mahbud, first denying Alex Iwobi low down to his right before parrying Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ferocious effort from 15 yards.
Akpom put the tourists ahead after half an hour, finishing a sweeping Arsenal move from 12 yards after Oxlade-Chamberlain broke with pace.
After the break, Iwobi missed two chances inside the area, first from Oxlade-Chamberlain’s dinked through ball on the half-volley, and then from Wilshere’s fine cut-back from the right. But the Gunners doubled their lead on the hour. – Sky Sports.
Online Reporter