Arsenal 3-1 Manchester City - thoughts (and photos)

After all the hype, all the money, all the dissent... Arsenal won their final pre-season friendly against Manchester City by three goals to one. The game was obviously still pre-season, nothing particularly meaty or controversial. The match was entertaining, with a few sideshows, and most of the attendees will have gone home happy.

At the final whistle

I'd started the day early, breakfasting at a BBQ diner in an abattoir in Kallio, with a Karhu of course. Shortly after the real boozing began, with €2.80 beers going down a storm. After a spot of bar-hopping, we found that the Olympiastadion had a fan area open, with plenty of bars, live music and people... At that point it was obvious that there were a lot more Arsenal shirts than Man City - the clear tone for the evening.

There was a good atmosphere, but with no amount of cringe. In the seats, under the big screen in the Pohjoiskaarre (north end), the teams came out... To the theme tune from Superman. Oh dear. From where I was, there were red and white shirts everywhere, and plenty of noise. Some of the older Arsenal chants were sung, in heavy Finnish accents. The jerseys had Wilshere and Cazorla on the back, while even Mrs ETS donned a 1970s home shirt.

Arsenal's early goal helped proceedings, Theo Walcott beating Joe Hart after Ramsey's great pass. It gave the crowd some momentum and kept the few City fans quiet. By half-time, everyone was thirsty for a beer, and although the option was Carlsberg, they did good business at €7 a pint. In the second half, goals from Ramsey and Giroud were lapped up, while Negredo's goal pointed out where the blue fans were (there weren't many).

Cameo appearances from Samir Nasri (booed heavily) and former Finland U21 international Carl Jenkinson added some more pantomime to the proceedings before the final whistle. The photo below will help cheer up any Gooner.

At the final whistle, the customary presentations were made on the pitch, to some music from Rocky IV... Walcott won man of the match, and the players trudged off - but there was time for Jenkinson to do a lap of honour before heading off. Carl had spoken to the Arsenal website about his difficult decision in choosing England, but was warmly cheered by the spectators. He threw his shirt into the crowd, and seemed pretty moved...

The aftermath of the game revealed some of the feeling in Finland - an attendance of over 39000 football fans who could have been elsewhere, especially as the much-hyped SuperMatsi in Jyväskylä got JJK's second lowest attendance of the year. There were even noises in HS that Finland would love to host a 39th game, if the Premier League ever rebooted that idea (surely not).

For me, it was nice to see my team in Finland, and a nice way to spend a weekend. There were a few familiar faces, and nice to catch up with friends and family. I was asked if I'd fly over just for Finnish matches, and of course I would - not this year though, I've seen four matches in Finland in the last 9 weeks and I'm skint.

Who's that handsome chap in the shades at the top of the group shot?

A nice weekend. Hopefully Arsenal will be back for real next time. Preferably in Kuopio!

In case you forgot

Highlights of Arsenal 3-1 Manchester City

Veikkausliiga week 23 - Honka extend lead

Honka 2-1 TPS

Three great goals were reward for the Honka fans, albeit the TPS goal was ably assisted by one of their own in real blooper style. A ninth minute free kick from Moshtagh Yaghoubi set a high standard, flying into the top corner.

Handball?

On the half hour, Tim Väyrynen's square ball in his own half found TPS midfielder Wayne Brown in lots of space, and he fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area to equalise. Six minutes later, Ilari Äijälä's first league goal of 2013 sealed the points for Honka, shooting past Lehtovaara. All great goals, but no joy for TPS.

Highlights of Honka 2-1 TPS

Honka remain top, with 46 points from 23 games, a lead of four points over HJK. TPS are seventh, with 27 points from 21 matches.

Inter 1-1 HJK

Inter have been in rotten form all year, and without a league win since May. HJK have only won 2 of their last 6 away league matches. HJK virtually camped in the Inter half, plenty of possession but little penetration. They waited until the 89th minute to score, Demba Savage popping up after some neat inter-play from Pohjanpalo and Sorsa.

Happy Juuso (photo via Jane Iltanen)

But as they started to think of a vital win, Inter's Juuso Hämäläinen headed in an equaliser in stoppage time. A crucial point for Inter, and a big dent for HJK.

Highlights of Inter 1-1 HJK

Inter are 11th, with 25 points from 23 games. HJK are second, with 42 points from 22 matches, four points behind Honka.

VPS 3-1 Lahti

After another poor run, VPS welcomed back former striker Steven Morrissey with a good win, but the Jamaican wasn't the star - it was American winger Jordan Seabrook. A 14th minute goal from Rafael (his 8th of the season) gave Lahti the lead, but Lomski, then a brace from Seabrook near the end of each half made it look comfortable. A 30-minute cameo from Morrissey was very welcome for the fans who wrote an open letter begging him to return.

Highlights of VPS 3-1 Lahti

VPS return to third place, with 36 points from 23 games (six behind HJK). Lahti are 10th, with 27 points from 23 games.

RoPS 0-2 IFK Mariehamn

Another epic trip for Mariehamn (they played the same fixture on opening day, which ended 1-3 to the guests) - and they had new faces in tow. English centre-back Darren Purse and midfielder Josef Ibrahim went straight into the starting XI - and it was Ibrahim who scored the second goal (39mins) after Jani Lyyski had opened the scoring ten minutes earlier.

Highlights of RoPS 0-2 IFK Mariehamn

RoPS had been relying on good home form to keep them up - but they now only have one win in six. They are ninth, with 27 points from 23 matches. Mariehamn are sixth, with 32 points from 23 games.

KuPS 0-2 MYPA

Sunday's early match saw another away win for MYPA, to keep in the hunt for third place. KuPS now have four games without a win. MYPA's goals came from lashing finishes from Sasha Anttilainen (23') and Xhevdet Gela (89'). KuPS will have to pick themselves up for Saturday's Suomen Cup semi-final against JJK.

Highlights of KuPS 0-2 MYPA

MYPA are fifth, 32 points from 23 matches. KuPS are eighth, with 27 points from 23 games.

JJK 0-0 Jaro

On the day the English clubs came to Finland, this match was billed as 'Super Matsi'. Surrounded with a day of fan involvement and action, to both raise the profile of Finnish football and raise some much needed money for the hosts. 2390 souls paid to get in, fewer than any of their last three home league matches.

Manninen winning the hair competition (photo via Sami Saarenpää)

The match itself was uneventful. No goals, three yellows for the guests, and more ground lost for JJK, while Jaro only sat in third for 24 hours.

Highlights of JJK 0-0 Jaro

JJK remain in twelvth (last) place, with nineteen points from 23 matches. Jaro are fourth, with 33 points from 23 games.