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Arsenal's defensive demons resurface in Boca draw

Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead against Boca Juniors to draw 2-2, a result that does nothing to lift the gloom currently swirling around the club.

It has been a testing summer for boss Arsene Wenger, with two of his star players agitating for a move away, and a shocking defensive performance against Boca gave him another reason to be concerned, just a fortnight before they begin their Premier League campaign away to Newcastle United.

Arsenal looked to be cruising to victory with just over 20 minutes still to play but, as so often last season, they shot themselves in the foot by succumbing to entirely avoidable errors at the back.

Midfielder Samir Nasri, linked with a move to Manchester City, played the whole 90 minutes of the contest, even captaining the side in the final stages, while Barcelona target Cesc Fabregas looked on from the touchline after not being included in the squad due to injury and lack of focus.

The Gunners took the lead on 29 minutes when the impressive Gervinho, an £11 million summer signing from Lille, peeled away down the left flank before delivering a low centre that Van Persie prodded in from six yards.

Ramsey doubled the hosts' advantage less than a minute into the second half, rifling in from the edge of the area, having entered the fray seconds previously as a replacement for Jack Wilshere - one of five changes at the interval.

Just when Arsenal appeared to be cruising, Lucas Viatri halved the deficit with 20 minutes remaining - Sebastien Squillaci was dispossessed inside his own half, the ball was slid to Viatri and he lashed a rising shot past Vito Mannone at the near post.

And two minutes later, another defensive howler allowed the Argentineans to draw level, as Johan Djourou made a hash of an attempted interception, sliding in and succeeding only to divert the ball straight into the path of Pablo Mouche, who made no mistake when confronted with a goal left vacant by Mannone's dash from his line.

Wenger has confirmed he will bring in a defender in the transfer window, with Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill rumoured targets, and on the evidence of this performance the signing cannot come soon enough.

Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls beat big-spending Paris St Germain 1-0 in the opening match. Joel Lindpere put the Americans in front after 27 minutes with a neat finish after New York split the PSG defence.

The French side were also lucky not to concede a penalty when Carlos Mendes was tugged back by Loick Landre at a corner.

PSG - whose imminent £38 million signing Javier Pastore is part of a summer spending spree since the Qatar Investment Authority bought a controlling stake in the club almost two months ago - stepped up a gear in the second half.

Christophe Jallet whipped a 20-yard free-kick just over the bar. However despite dominating possession, the French side were unable to create more than a couple of half-chances.

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