Adebayor missing as Gunners held - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Adebayor missing as Gunners held

Emmanuel Adebayor was missing as Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw by Barnet in Saturday's traditional pre-season friendly at Underhill.

The Gunners are reported to have accepted a £25million offer for Adebayor from Manchester City, who are discussing personal terms with the Togo striker.

In his absence impressive academy product Sanchez Watt formed a first-half strike partnership alongside Andrey Arshavin who netted the first. Nacer Barazite scored the second after the interval.

Tomas Rosicky made his first appearance since January 2008 following his recovery from serious hamstring and knee injuries. The Czech winger, who joined Arsenal in May 2006, floated across midfield and understandably looked off the pace, although he occasionally showed some neat touches.

New £10million signing from Ajax Thomas Vermaelen made his club debut and was the only player to feature in both halves with Arsene Wenger making 10 changes at the interval.

Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Kolo Toure were among the senior players absent for the Gunners.

Barnet looked to capitalise on some lacklustre pre-season defending by Arsenal but were carved open themselves in the 44th minute when Watt picked out Arshavin with a pinpoint cross that the Russian buried.

The lead lasted only a minute, however, as Ismail Yakubu met Danny Hart's free-kick with an athletic glancing header that evaded Manuel Almunia on its way into the top right corner.

Individual brilliance by Dutchman Barazite restored Arsenal's lead shortly into the second half as he weaved his way to the edge of the area where he chipped the ball home.

But Elliott Charles capitalised on a weakened second half Arsenal side to stab home from close range with eight minutes remaining and earn Barnet a deserved draw.

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet
You big softie: Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?

You big softie

Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?
Pop star Paloma Faith, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video

Gay marriage

Pop star, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music

Grandpa Bob

Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney