• Malaysia XI 0-4 Arsenal

Nasri comes off the bench in Gunners rout

July 13, 2011
Samir Nasri came off the bench in Arsenal's win © Getty Images
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Arsenal recorded a comfortable 4-0 victory over a Malaysia XI in the opening match of their Asia tour at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, where contract rebel Samir Nasri impressed when he came off the bench.

Aaron Ramsey scored from the penalty spot after just five minutes following a foul on Jack Wilshere. Theo Walcott doubled the Gunners lead before half-time with a well taken lob from Ramsey's through ball.

Mexican Carlos Vela - who had been expected to be sold this summer - made it 3-0 just before the hour with an audacious close-range chip, and fellow substitute Tomas Rosicky nodded in during stoppage time following good work from Andrey Arshavin.

Arsenal will play the second match of their Asia tour in China, facing Hangzhou Greentown on Saturday.

The Gunners were without injured captain Cesc Fabregas, who remained in London to continue fitness work on his troublesome hamstring amid reports of a transfer to Barcelona.

There were first-team debuts for youngsters Ryo Miyaichi, back from a successful loan spell at Feyenoord, and right-back Carl Jenkinson, who signed from Charlton earlier this summer.

Belgian centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, who missed most of last season with a niggling Achilles injury, captained the side, while England international Kieran Gibbs started at left-back with Marouane Chamakh in attack. Holland striker Robin van Persie and Nasri, linked with a £20million move away from Emirates Stadium, were among the substitutes.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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