..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal: I hope De Gea stays at Man United

Louis van Gaal says he hopes David De Gea stays at Manchester United this summer, but could make no guarantees.

De Gea's proposed transfer to Real Madrid has been rumbling on all summer, and with no deal in sight he made his first appearance of pre-season in United's 3-1 victory against Barcelona on Saturday.

The Spain international played an hour at the Levi's Stadium, California, denying Barca's Sergi Roberto when through one-on-one in the first half, and earned effusive praise from his manager.

“In spite of his injury - he hasn't trained for one week - he showed his quality in this game,” van Gaal told reporters.

“The first chance was for Barcelona and when you stop the first chance you can score the first goal - which we did - and that is always a difference in the game.

“Yes of course I do hope De Gea shall stay, but in this world of football you never know."

Late on Saturday evening in California, De Gea uploaded a picture to Twitter after being re-united with United striker Javier Hernandez.

Hernandez spent last season on loan at Real Madrid and only joined up with the Red Devils on Saturday after injuring his shoulder while playing for Mexico at the start of July.

Angel Di Maria and Marcos Rojo were also expected to make the trip but Van Gaal revealed neither player arrived.

The Dutchman says Rojo has passport issues but insists he "does not know" why Di Maria did not show up as scheduled, although it is understood he is nearing a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Indeed, PSG boss Laurent Blanc says there is a "good possibility" the move will be completed.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic welcomes Di Maria to Paris Saint-Germain

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has welcomed Angel Di Maria to Paris Saint-Germain, with the Argentina international's transfer from Manchester United moving ever closer.

United manager Louis van Gaal revealed on Saturday night that Di Maria had not joined up with his team-mates on their pre-season tour as expected.

PSG coach Laurent Blanc added shortly afterwards that there is a "good possibility" the former Real Madrid man will move to Parc des Princes this summer, and Ibrahimovic has wasted no time in offering his hospitality.

"Welcome to him, he will bring his qualities, he is a good player," the Swede told Le Parisien. "With him the team will be better."

On Saturday, Ibrahimovic revealed that he will be staying at PSG this summer, and he reiterated that stance in his latest interview: "I will remain in Paris, where I am happy".

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hazard: Defenders keep kicking me but I'll keep smiling

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard says that he is still happy to endure the kicks of Premier League opponents as he eyes a second consecutive league title.

The Belgian, named the PFA Player of the Year last season, has been working to bulk up in order to deal with the aggressive approach often used to try to nullify him, but would welcome extra protection from referees.

"Sometimes I am in pain after games," he told The Observer. "I have to take some anti-inflammatories or something like that.

"I like to have the ball at my feet and, when I have the ball at my feet, I get a lot of kicks... but this is football.

"If I don't work and do the training, the defenders will kill me. It's my job.

"If the referees can protect me, it would be good for me because they know now that I get a lot of kicks and I want to be protected by the referee. Whenever I feel pain, I try to keep a smile on my face. Always happy.

"Sometimes I get kicked, sometimes not. We have a lot of physios and they work very well because we play every three or four days. It's important. I am able to stay calm, though. That's just the way I am. I don't speak a lot to the players or the defenders. I just want to play, to dribble, to do some skills.

"I never reacted to tackles, even when I was younger. Maybe growing up playing with my brothers helped me. When I was younger, I kept the ball at my feet and my brother tried to catch the ball and, of course, I got a lot of kicks but it became a habit.

"The worst one last season was against Stoke, with Phil Bardsley. When I see the video... it's crazy. I just play. I always say after the game that, if I've had a lot of kicks, the game was good. I don't care about kicks – I just want to score."

Hazard's style of play is often compared to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and the Blues star is excited about pushing himself towards their level.

"If I want to reach this level, I have to score 40, 50 goals just for one season," he remarked. "I think last season I scored 19. Maybe it's good but maybe it's not enough."

Hazard continued on Chelsea's prospects this year: "Everything is possible. If we train hard, if we play like we did last season, we can be better. Of course, in the Champions League we have to do better to reach the final or the semi-final. It will be a good season."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Pedro to Man United? We'll see' - coach

Manchester United goalkeeper coach Frans Hoek was keen not to give much away when questioned about the club's interest in Barcelona forward Pedro.

United beat Barca 3-1 at the Levi's Stadium in the International Champions Cup on Saturday evening, set against the backdrop of ongoing interest in the 27-year-old Spain international, who started the match.

With Angel Di Maria set to move to Paris Saint-Germain, United are in the market for forwards this summer and Hoek, who has worked closely with Louis van Gaal throughout his career, including three years at Camp Nou, was guarded when asked about the club's moves in the market.

"We will see," he replied when asked about Pedro. "A lot of things can happen in the world of football, but everything is very difficult."

Hoek was also asked about Victor Valdes, who was left out of United's pre-season squad and subsequently blasted by Van Gaal for not following his philosophy and refusing to play for the club's reserves last season.

But while the Dutch coach would not elaborate on the manager's reasoning, he did offer some encouragement for the future.

"I don't want to talk about negative things," he added. "Valdes is a great goalkeeper and I am sure he will find a great team this season."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Di Maria PSG giyoth aparadeDepay gaththa nisada Di Maria sell karanna yanne
RVP th me season 1ka thiyaganna thibba machan..

Naha bro Depay gattha 1ka neweiMata hithena hatiyata main reason 1ka thamai last season 1ke fail wechcha 1ka​

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1ka season 1kak fail una kiyala sell karana 1kanam moda wadakanith 1ka dakkane Coppa America 2015 wala Di Maria elatama play kala.Anemanda bro thanikarama aparadayak Di Maria sell karanna hadana 1ka​

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RVP sell karapu 1ka thamai anith 1ka.Falcao th thiyagattha nathi 1ke RVP wa thiyaganna thibbe.Anith 1ka experience world class attacker kenekLVG kiyanawa Rooney,Chicha & Wilson inna nisa strike kenek one naha kiyala.Nikamata hithannako Roo injured unoth mokada wenne kiyala​

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LVG kohoma kiwwath apita thawa World Class attacker kenek nam onemai​

 

[Banks PLK]

Blanc: Good possibility Di Maria will join PSG after Man Utd no-show

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc insists no deal has yet been completed for Manchester United's Angel Di Maria, but says he hopes the Argentine elects to move to the French capital.

Goal reported in June that Di Maria has decided to leave United this summer, and with speculation mounting that a move to PSG is on the cards, he failed to join up with his current team-mates on their US pre-season tour as scheduled on Saturday.

United manager Louis van Gaal said he "did not know why" Di Maria missed his flight - whereas compatriot Marcos Rojo had passport complications - and Blanc admits a move is on the cards, even if it is not yet complete.

"There is a good possibility he could sign but there's no official news at this time," he said after his team's International Champions Cup (ICC) penalty defeat to Chelsea in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"Of course, there is lots of talk and commentary out there. Paris Saint-Germain are out looking in terms of recruiting an attacking player, whether it be him or someone else."

United defeated Barcelona 3-1 in their ICC match in Santa Clara, California on Saturday, thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney, Jesse Lingard and Adnan Januzaj.

Van Gaal revealed afterwards that Di Maria, unlike Javier Hernandez, had not joined up with the squad ahead of Wednesday night's clash with PSG, and while he is expected to fly to the States at some point, it is unclear with which club he will depart.

"The anticipation is he's going to come to the United States, as to which jersey he will wear, we do not know yet," Blanc added.

"Of course if he does make a change, we hope it's for Paris Saint-Germain.

"There are still two big clubs out there in discussion. Right now we just need to wait."

manchester city walath argentina players la thama awe neha
they are taking rest after copa america haha
epl opening man city game ekatath aguero zaba demichelis wont play lu

 

[rcccc]

Naha bro Depay gattha 1ka neweiMata hithena hatiyata main reason 1ka thamai last season 1ke fail wechcha 1ka​

1ka season 1kak fail una kiyala sell karana 1kanam moda wadakanith 1ka dakkane Coppa America 2015 wala Di Maria elatama play kala.Anemanda bro thanikarama aparadayak Di Maria sell karanna hadana 1ka
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di maria fail ma kiyannath baene machan.

kohomath new league 1kata transfer unama ohoma thmai.godak players lage first season performance adui monawa unath PSG yana ekanam loku aparadayak​

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[rcccc]

Originally Posted by Wolverine GTR
RVP sell karapu 1ka thamai anith 1ka.Falcao th thiyagattha nathi 1ke RVP wa thiyaganna thibbe.Anith 1ka experience world class attacker kenekLVG kiyanawa Rooney,Chicha & Wilson inna nisa strike kenek one naha kiyala.Nikamata hithannako Roo injured unoth mokada wenne kiyala

LVG kohoma kiwwath apita thawa World Class attacker kenek nam onemai

RVP sell karapu eka nam matath hithaganna bae.2 parak Premier League Golden Boot eka win kala W Class striker kenek.injury nisa wenna athi
eth Rooney ge backup ekata hari thiyaganna thibba... chicharito sub kenukuta hodai... Wilson nam echchara play karanawa dakala nae mama .

ganna strikerlath naene machan lacazette lyon ma innawalu...benzema,lewa,cavani,higuain sell karana ekak nae wage

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Thiago Motta sets sights on Atletico Madrid challenge

Thiago Motta has admitted that a move to Atletico Madrid would be a "big challenge" for him - but concedes Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is in charge of his future.The Italy international has made clear that he wants to leave the Ligue 1 champions this summer, with the Spanish side admitting having contact with him.

And Motta feels he deserves credit for being honest with the club and says he will hold further talks with them as he looks to orchestrate a move.

"The club knows my will," he told L'Equipe. "I want to leave. We talked and we will continue to speak until the end. It will be Nasser Al-Khelaifi who will decide my future,

"The most important thing is that I was sincere and honest. My wish is always to leave. I need to do new things for my career, to find the motivation to play at the highest level."I have something in my head and I know that it came out in the press.

"We talked about Atletico Madrid, it's a club where could do everything I haven't done at other clubs so far. It is a big challenge."Motta, 32, would represent an ideal replacement for Mario Suarez, who left Atletico for Fiorentina as part of the deal which took Stefan Savic to the Vicente Calderon.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Jovetic set for Inter medical

Inter have confirmed that Stevan Jovetic will undergo a medical on Tuesday ahead of his move from Manchester City.

Goal understands that the 25-year-old will join the Serie A side on a season-long loan deal for a £2.1 million fee.

Inter will then be legally obligated to buy the forward for £8.5m next summer, while City will receive a further £2m if Roberto Mancini's side qualify for the Champions League.

Jovetic joined City from Fiorentina in 2013 for £22m but has struggled to secure a regular first-team role under Manuel Pellegrini, making just 28 Premier League appearances in his two seasons at the Etihad Stadium.

The Montenegro international was also dropped from City's Champions League squad in February in order to accomodate Wilfried Bony.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Netherlands are favourites in Group A - Deschamps

France coach Didier Deschamps said Netherlands are favourites in 2018 World Cup qualifying's Group A.

Deschamps' men and the Dutch are the drawcards in the group, which also sees Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus and Luxembourg competing after Saturday's proceedings in St Petersburg.

After learning his team's fate, Deschamps moved to put the favourites tag on Danny Blind's side - despite the Dutch only beginning the Blind era in late June when predecessor Guus Hiddink was sacked after just 10 matches in charge.

"This is a strong group, compact, with good European nations," Deschamps said, according to the French Football Federation's website.

"Favourites are the Netherlands because they were semi-finalists of the last World Cup in Brazil, where they finished third, but there is also Sweden, Belarus, Bulgaria, which are never easy teams to play. "There are certainly easier groups than ours in the European zone."

France have lost three of their past four internationals, including successive friendlies to Belgium and Albania in June to see their Fifa ranking plummet 13 spots to 22nd.But Deschamps said he did not think being unseeded cost France a tougher draw."It's like that, you cannot go back. Being seeded, it can be an advantage in certain situations or not," he said.

"But for sure it would have been better to win these matches in June.
"We knew we would have at least a tough draw. "But there were also other good nations in other hats, such as Sweden."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Salah not staying at Chelsea, says Mourinho

Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah "doesn't belong" at Stamford Bridge and will leave the club on loan this summer, says manager Jose Mourinho.

Salah joined Chelsea from Basel in January 2014 but spent the second half of last term on loan at Fiorentina as part of the deal that saw Juan Cuadrado move in the other direction.

Fiorentina claimed to have an agreement to retain Salah's services for the upcoming campaign, only to be met with resistance by the player, who they say "expressed his desire to join another club".

Speaking after Chelsea's International Champions Cup fixture against Paris Saint-Germain in Charlotte, Mourinho said: "He doesn't belong to my squad and he's not staying here.

"The important thing is that he plays like he did at Fiorentina, so [I'm] happy with him going on a loan.

"Italian football is difficult football to play, especially for attacking players. So if it's not Fiorentina it's Roma or Inter or Juve - I don't know. Maybe he has a loan.

"He's a good boy and a good player. He needs more top-level football so I'm happy with any decision him and the club make."

Inter head coach Roberto Mancini confirmed this week that they are interested in bringing the 23-year-old to the club, yet the Viola criticised their attempts to sign the player.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho accuses Chelsea's rivals of 'buying' the Premier League title


Jose Mourinho has accused Chelsea's Premier League rivals of "buying" the title.

Manchester United have made significant strides to improve their squad ahead of the new season with the arrivals of Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Matteo Darmian.

City have also been active with the signings of Raheem Sterling for £49 million, Fabian Delph in an £8m deal from Aston Villa, and Patrick Roberts - an £11m acquisition from Fulham.

Liverpool, meanwhile, took their summer spending to over £80m with the £32.5m deal for Christian Benteke, who was their seventh signing of the transfer window.

Following Roman Abramovich's takeover at Stamford Bridge in 2003, Chelsea had been accused of spending their way to success after winning the Premier League title two years later under Mourinho, but the Portuguese now insists other clubs are doing the same thing.

"In the beginning of Mr Abramovich coming to Chelsea, Chelsea was buying the title," said Mourinho.

"Now, they are buying the title. All of them, they are buying the title.

"It is up to us to be strong and to fight them and, obviously, to try and win it again, even without the big investments."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arda is Turkey's Messi and he'll surprise everyone at Barcelona - Terim

Arda Turan is Turkey's very own Lionel Messi and will surprise people with his quality at Barcelona, according to Fatih Terim.

The attacking midfielder joined Luis Enrique's side in a deal which could be worth €41 million earlier this summer after a highly successful four-year spell with Galatasaray.

And Terim, his national team coach, says the 28-year-old will prove his supreme ability and versatility by playing alongside the likes of Messi, Neymar and Andres Iniesta.

"Arda is nothing short of our Messi," Terim told Mundo Deportivo."The most important thing is that Arda is extremely happy to have signed for Barca. They've signed a legend, a great player and a winner.

"Those who say he has a volcanic character, that he's difficult to work with, I say no."He's played as a Xavi, an Iniesta, even a [Sergio] Busquets for me [in the Turkey side]. And, where needed, he's played as a second striker, as Cholo Simeone did.

"Arda will surprise people with his tremendous quality as a footballer. To play alongside Messi, Iniesta, Busquets, [Ivan] Rakitic, [Luis] Suarez and Neymar makes you better day by day, game by game."

Terim, however, accepts that Turkey face a significant dilemma ahead of their final Euro 2016 qualifiers, with Arda unable to play club football for Barca until Janaury next year due to the European champions' ban on fielding new players.

"It's a serious problem that Arda can't play for Barcelona - not even in friendlies - thanks to the Fifa ban," he said. "We, Turkey, are in a very tough qualification group for France 2016. We have opponents like Netherlands, Czech Republic, even Iceland, who have improved hugely.

"We'll have very important games in the period when Arda Turan can't play for Barca. It's a shame."We'll be in contact with the club and coordinate with them when he joins up with Turkey."

Turkey sit fourth in Group A of Euro 2016 qualifying, five points behind second-placed Czech Republic and seven adrift of leaders Iceland. They face Latvia in Konya on September 3.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lyon 0-2 Villarreal: Soriano and Baptistao seal comfortable win in Emirates Cup

Villarreal made it two wins from two at the Emirates Cup as Bruno Soriano and Leo Baptistao helped the Spanish side to a 2-0 win over Lyon on Sunday.

Marcelino's men beat Wolfsburg 2-1 on Saturday and gave themselves hope of winning the pre-season competition as Lyon - hammered 6-0 by Arsenal in their opening fixture - were beaten again.Despite Lyon offering much of the early threat, Villarreal led through a Soriano penalty half an hour in after Dylan Mboumbouni clattered into Javier Espinosa.

There was nothing clumsy about Villarreal's second however - on-loan striker Baptistao timing his run perfectly and beating goalkeeper Mathieu Gorgelin early in the second half.

Lyon's Aldo Kalulu had the first clear-cut chance of the game when his sidefooted effort was tipped around the post by Paris Saint-Germain loanee Alphonse Areola 13 minutes in.

The Ligue 1 side continued to apply pressure - close-season signing Claudio Beauvue testing Areola with a long-range free-kick, before Gorgelin was required to keep out Samu Castillejo following a quick break at the other end.

Steed Malbranque rattled the Villarreal crossbar after 20 minutes from the edge of the area and then Mboumbouni's clumsy challenge on Espinosa handed Soriano the chance to score from the spot.

Captain Soriano duly converted to give Marcelino's men a half-time advantage.The skipper was replaced at the break by Manu Trigueros, with the Spanish side starting the second half on top and doubling their advantage through Baptistao after 54 minutes.

A superb pass from Gerard Moreno set the Atletico Madrid loanee in on goal before he dinked the ball over the onrushing Gorgelin.Lyon introduced highly-rated forward Nabil Fekir soon afterwards and the Ligue 1 side almost found a way back into the game when Yassine Benzia rippled the side-netting after the hour mark.

Beauvue saw an audacious acrobatic effort go wayward as Lyon hopes faded, Villarreal moving top of the group ahead of Sunday's finale between Arsenal and Wolfsburg.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Nobody thinks Ramos will leave Madrid - Pepe

Nobody at Real Madrid is thinking about the prospect of Sergio Ramos leaving the club, according to defender Pepe.

The Spain international continues to be linked with a switch to Manchester United this summer, though team-mate Luka Modric has already made it clear he believes the defender will stay.Centre-back partner Pepe is also confident the newly-appointed club captain will resist any urge to try his luck in the Premier League ahead of next season.

"He seems good to me. It's not going through anyone's head that Sergio won't be here with us," he told reporters in China.

"He's our captain now. I'm sure he'll be with us because he loves us and the club."
Pepe also moved to quash suggestions he could be heading for the Santiago Bernabeu exit door as his contract enters its final year.

"I'm very happy at Madrid. My renewal is up to the president and my agent, I want to be here for more years yet. I hope this is a good season," he said.

The Portugal international went on to praise head coach Rafa Benitez for his efforts to instil a true hard-working spirit within the squad."Every coach has his mentality and his way of making the team play. The team are working hard to take in what the boss says. We're trying to absorb it and then do it on the pitch," he said.

"He wants the team to work really hard and that's what we try to do. In the little time we've had him, things have been going well, and we hope it continues."Madrid take on Inter in the International Champions Cup on Monday and Pepe is expecting a tough encounter with Roberto Mancini's evolving side.

"I expect a great game and we want to win. It will be difficult because they are a great team, one of the best in Europe," the 32-year-old added.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mancini demands strong showing against Real Madrid

Roberto Mancini says he hopes to see a strong performance from his Inter side against Real Madrid on Monday in order to reach top form before the Serie A season.

An outrageous volley from Philippe Mexes saw AC Milan beat their city rivals 1-0 on Saturday in the International Champions Cup, with the Nerazzurri having lost by the same scoreline to Bayern Munich earlier in the week.

While he admits the fitness of his squad is paramount during pre-season, Mancini is looking for improvement against Rafa Benitez's side as they aim to hit the ground running in 2015-16.

"It was difficult to play two games in such a short space of time - that's why I rotated the side against Milan," he told reporters in China."The most important thing is to avoid injuries. We'll change again tomorrow and I want to play good football against Real Madrid.

"We haven't scored yet, but these things can happen. It's more important to hit form in good time."We'll do everything we can to win, but results are fairly irrelevant at this stage. What counts is how the team works.

"Real Madrid are at a more advanced stage of pre-season training, but it's always nice to play games like this. We must reach the start of Serie A in the right shape.
"We are very happy to be here and I thank all the fans who are here in China for the affection they've shown."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benitez: I don't mind Ronaldo getting angry

Rafael Benitez says Cristiano Ronaldo is welcome to get angry during training - as long as he keeps producing the goods on the pitch.

Ronaldo caught the headlines after becoming aggravated with Benitez during a recent Real Madrid training session, though he promptly delivered a typically ruthless display in the 4-1 win over Manchester City.And his head coach says he has no problem with such outbursts from his players, provided they deliver when it matters most.

"My relationship with him is good," he told reporters in China when asked about Ronaldo. "When someone gets angry during a training session, but then does their job, there's no problem, it's fine."Benitez also admits having a fully-fit James Rodriguez and Isco to choose from will present a welcome selection dilemma heading into the new season.

"As a coach I am delighted to have players with quality like that," he said. "To be competitive, they need to be at 100 per cent and after that I will make my decision. Both of them are going to make my job much harder."Madrid take on Inter in the International Champions Cup on Monday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Ramos and Perez have arranged to meet' - Benitez

Sergio Ramos will meet with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to discuss his future, Rafael Benitez has revealed.

Speculation persists that Ramos could be tempted to leave the Santiago Bernabeu for Manchester United this summer, despite team-mates Pepe and Luka Modric saying they are confident he will commit to the club.

Head coach Benitez says the Spain international seems perfectly at ease in training despite the speculation over his future, but says he will hold talks with Perez in the coming days.

"I wasn't expecting that question," he said wryly to reporters in China when asked for an update on Ramos. "During dinner last night I was told that they have arranged to meet but I haven't been able to talk directly to either of them as I was busy with the team's training session.

"The president told me that they were going to have a private chat. I watched Ramos score from 25 metres out and he seems fine to me."

Madrid take on Inter in the International Champions Cup on Monday, and, though he is wary of over-exerting his players in pre-season, Benitez is looking forward to the game.

"Inter are a very strong and prestigious side. For us, it's always an extra stimulus to play against strong teams," said the former Napoli boss."We have a few players with minor problems and we won't be taking any risks.

My priority is to make sure that all the players are in good form and feel well."The training sessions in Australia were fantastic; now we are in good condition we'll have to wait and see how we get on during the rest of the pre-season.

"It's always nice to feel the admiration the fans have for the players [in China]. The fans always give us a boost and are asking us for autographs or photographs and that is always good."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal 1-0 Wolfsburg: Walcott strikes as Gunners win Emirates Cup

Arsenal clinched the Emirates Cup after Theo Walcott scored in a 1-0 victory over Wolfsburg.

The Gunners ensured they topped the table in the pre-season competition as Walcott - reportedly close to agreeing a new deal at the club - proved the match-winner at the Emirates Stadium.

On his first Arsenal start, youngster Jeff Reine-Adelaide marked an impressive display with an expert assist for Walcott's opener shortly after the interval.

Arsene Wenger's side hammered Ligue 1 opponents Lyon 6-0 on Saturday but there was to be no such rout against Dieter Hecking's well-drilled DFB-Pokal champions.

Making his home debut, Petr Cech was made to work for a clean sheet as Arsenal made it two wins from two ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash with Chelsea at Wembley.

Kevin De Bruyne - named German player of the year on Sunday - threatened down the left early on but Cech was on hand to collect the Belgian's delivery.

Close-season signing Cech will have been concerned as former Arsenal man Nicklas Bendtner just failed to make contact with a dangerous De Bruyne delivery from the right.

The Czech's opposite number Diego Benaglio was called on to deny Walcott soon after but it was the Bundesliga side who continued to threaten more frequently - De Bruyne showing why he is a reported target for Manchester City.

With chances largely at a premium in a goalless first half, Timm Klose shanked an effort over the crossbar for the visitors while Mesut Ozil's side-footed effort rolled wide of the far post following a slick passing move.

Arsenal had their breakthrough five minutes into the second half when Reine-Adelaide offered a glimpse of his potential - threading a ball for Walcott to calmly finish past Benaglio.

The largely impressive De Bruyne then ballooned an effort over, having skipped inside Mikel Arteta, before Ricardo Rodriguez saw a long-range strike easily saved by Cech.

The former Chelsea man was tested again by a fierce drive from midfielder Josuha Guilavogui as Wolfsburg piled on the pressure.

It was to no avail, however, Wenger's men topping the standings by three points from Villarreal ahead of the all-London curtain-raiser at Wembley in a week's time.