Arsenal v Western Sydney Wanderers: Ramsey, Giroud, Elneny score in 3-1 Gunners victory

IT was a win for Arsenal on and off the pitch as the EPL giants beat Western Sydney Wanderers at ANZ Stadium to end their classy week-long tour of Sydney.

Arsenal's player Olivier Giroud (L) celebrates his goal.

IT was a win for Arsenal on and off the pitch as the English Premier League giants beat Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 at ANZ Stadium to end their classy week-long tour of Sydney.

A booming crowd of 83,221 crammed into the stadium - following on from the 80,432 that turned up for the Sydney FC game at the same venue two days prior - and they were treated to some scintillating goals from Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey.

There may have been some eyes on the RBB following the Wanderers’ warning to them earlier in the week that any anti-social behaviour would result in them being shut down, but to their credit they created a vibrant atmosphere.

Aaron Ramsey gave the fans a real treat with his goal.

The crowd got their money’s worth in the first half alone. Arsene Wenger picked a strong side, with French pair Alexandre Lacazette and Giroud starting up front together and Ramsey making his first appearance of the tour.

But a well drilled Wanderers team, clearly up for the game and not afraid to get stuck in, made the Gunners work in the opening minutes.

It wasn’t until the game’s first goal in the 33rd minute that Arsenal found a rhythm. And what a goal it was - Giroud with a classic near-post finish into the roof of the net after being played in by Nacho Monreal. With Giroud determined to fight for his future at Arsenal, his finish provided a little reminder of the class he’s capable of.

The second goal was just as pleasing on the eye, this time Ramsey on the receiving end of a Monreal long pass, before he lobbed the goalkeeper from distance.

A couple of goals is usually what it takes for Arsenal to find their swagger and a few minutes later, on the stroke of half time, they found their third via a deflection off Brendan Hamill.

Olivier Giroud is congrtulated by Mohamed Elneny after scoring Arsenal’s opener.

Despite the scoreline, it was a competitive match and the Wanderers were more than deserving of their second half goal.

It came through Steven Lustica, who scored on the rebound from an indirect free kick inside the box.

They almost had another too, when Gunners fan Jack Clisby hit the post with a thunderous strike.

It wraps up what’s been an overall classy tour by Arsenal, both on and off the field. It was announced 18 months ago, which left the club plenty of time to prepare for their first visit to Australia in 40 years and they certainly paid attention to the small details.

From the numerous player appearances at training sessions and meet and greets with young football fans, to the time spent chatting to the media with very little clock watching.

Steve Lustica gets Wanderers on the scoreboard.

Unlike some other big European clubs who have previously arrived in Sydney with little more than a fly-in, fly-out attitude, Arsenal have set a new precedent for high-profile tours like this.

They kept their fans fully engaged from the moment they landed and the love was reciprocated. Including the open training session and both matches, close to 180,000 fans eagerly soaked up every moment of the tour.

Arsenal head to China for the second leg of their preseason tour this morning, let’s hope it doesn’t take another 40 years for them to return.