Bartley, inadvertently showed the 60,000 supporters inside the Emirates Stadium, exactly what Arsenal's Russian import Andrey Arshavin meant earlier. The 30-year-old was prepared to swap the Emirates Cup for something of real worth - and like they say for every disappointment there is a blessing. Lets just hope in our case this is true.
However, our inability to see out games and the defenders uncanny knack for scoring own goals should be the focal point of Arsene Wenger's defensive plan. The defenders are certainly not ready to rock and roll with the Premiership's most feared wingers, and that in itself does not bode well for the upcoming season.
The Gunners threw away a hard earned 2 goal lead against Boca Juniors yesterday, in front of an ecstatic home crowd, today's draw stands as a stark reminder of the management's inability to read and interpret the writings on the wall. Arsenal failed to send the New Yorkers packing as the likes of Van Persie, Ramsey and Gervinho wasted countless opportunities to close out a game they were in total control of.
Robin Van Persie connected brilliantly with Tomas Rosicky's free-kick to nod home what six minutes to the end of stoppage time was considered as the match winner. But substitute Kyle Bartley somehow managed to put the ball into the back of his net, in the process ensuring that the visitors remained unbeaten at the just concluded tournament.
This is clearly not the time to apportion blames, but it is time the manager tackled the problem of concentration and determination head-on, if he is serious about finding a viable means of stopping this defensive mess once and for all.
