Posted On Saturday, 17th August 2013
Emmanuel Frimpong watched from the bench as the Gunners crashed to opening day defeat
Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong warmed the bench as Arsenal crashed to an opening day defeat in the English Premiership against the visit Aston Villa at the Emirates.
The 21-year-old was unused by highly frustrated Arsene Wenger who played the game without majority of his first team regular in their 2013/14 season opener.
The Gunners took an early lead through Olivier Giroud but Christian Benteke scored twice in either halves – one through an open play and the other from the spot before Luna – the Spanish midfielder, added the five minutes from time.
Frimpong’s match fitness still remain a concern for Wenger as the hard-tackling no-nonsense midfielder did not recover in time to play in the pre-season warm-up games for the Gunners.
With favourite Abou Diaby ruled out for weeks, it was highly expected that the Kumasi-born would be given some playing time but he watched the entire game from the bench at the Emirates as fans of the club booed the manager for his unwillingness to splash the cash on big-named players.
Arsenal were reduced to ten after defender Laurent Koscielny was sent off after a second bookable offends in the early kick-off.
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