Galatasaray 2-Arsenal 1

Didier Drogba just can’t help himself. For so long Arsenal’s tormentor in chief during his days in a Chelsea shirt, the 35-year-old today returned to score a brace that won the Emirates Cup for Galatasaray.

Sure, it is only a friendly tournament and has no bearing on the season ahead, but it felt like he had delivered yet another punch to the gut of Arsene Wenger’ side.

Certainly, the Frenchman reacted like it meant a lot. He shouted at fourth official Andre Marriner after referee Jon Moss awarded a penalty 12 minutes from time for Ignasi’s Miquel slight push on the Ivorian striker.

 Johan Elmander of Galatasaray battles with Kieran Gibbs of Arsenal

 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks on during his side's defeat

Drogba scored a late double to clinch the Emirates Cup

 Drogba sends Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way

Drogba picked himself up to send Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way and then spread his arms in celebration. Any usual match at the Emirates and it would have been clear baiting of supporters he has so often inflicted misery on.

But in truth, there were so many Galatasaray fans among the 60,000 crowd that at times it felt almost like the Ali Sami Yen in Istanbul. He was soaking up their cheers too.

That was the equaliser to Theo Walcott’s first-half opener, itself enough to take the cup away from Arsenal. 

But he struck again to win the match for his team and show just what a class act he is, even in his winter years.

Drogba celebrates after the final whistle

 Walcott celebrates with his Arsenal teammates

Emamanuel Eboue (right) captained Galatasaray on his return to former club Arsenal

Yaya Sanogo made a promising start in his first Emirates appearance

Prior to his club debut, Wenger said: ‘Yaya Sanogo – he has not made headlines. Why? Because he is not 50 to 100 million. I’m quite confident he will make them soon on the pitch.

‘Sanogo will surprise you, because your expectation doesn’t look to be high. He will not surprise me because my expectation is very high. He’s a top class striker.’

Source: Daily Mail