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Arsenal logo
Pre-season Friendlies
Jul 26, 2015 at 4.20pm UK
 
Wolfsburg

1-0

Walcott (50')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Theo Walcott fires Arsenal to Emirates Cup

Theo Walcott's goal on 50 minutes is enough as Arsenal beat Wolfsburg 1-0 to win the Emirates Cup.

Theo Walcott scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal beat Wolfsburg 1-0 to clinch the Emirates Cup in North London this evening.

The England international put contract negotiations to one side for the time being by poking home the winner on 50 minutes to seal the Gunners' fourth title - and first since 2010.

Arsenal's English midfielder Theo Walcott celebrates scoring the opening goal of the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Wolfsburg at The Emirates Stadium in north London on July 26, 2015© Getty Images

It was a familiar face in Nicklas Bendtner that almost saw the Germans move ahead, but the Dane - who spent nine years with Arsenal - miscued his volley on 15 minutes.

Preferred to Olivier Giroud up front, Walcott spurned a couple of good opportunities midway through the half, before seeing his goal correctly ruled out for offside.

At the other end, Wolfsburg continued to look dangerous, with Bendtner and Timm Klose going close as the visitors finished the half on top.

Wolfsburg's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (2nd L) vies with Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla and Arsenal's English defender Calum Chambers (R) during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Wolfsburg at The Emirates Stadi© Getty Images

Five minutes after the break, the hosts drew first blood through Walcott following good work from Jeff Reine-Adelaide.

Described as "special" by Arsene Wenger yesterday, the youngster vindicated his manager's sentiments by riding a couple of challenges to play in Walcott, who poked past Diego Benaglio.

Unperturbed, Dieter Hecking's side continued in the same vein and spurned a good chance to provide a swift riposte through Kevin de Bruyne.

The reported Manchester City target picked Mikel Arteta's pocket before advancing toward goal and lashing well over from outside the box.

Petr Cech of Arsenal shouts instructions during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at the Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2015© Getty Images

On 62 minutes, Cech was forced to beat away Josuha Guilavogui's first-time effort, while at the other end Aaron Ramsey saw his audacious lob drop narrowly wide of the post.

Wenger's side finished the clash on top as Chuba Akpom and Santi Cazorla both forced Benaglio into smart saves in the final quarter as Walcott's goal proved enough.

The North Londoners finished second to Spanish outfit Valencia in the Emirates Cup last season, with Galatasaray and New York Red Bulls also winning it in recent years.

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Arsenals English striker Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates scoring his goal with Arsenals French striker Olivier Giroud during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Lyon at The Emirates Stadium in north London on July 25, 2015
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