Stroll for Gunners as Wenger stays quiet on Dacourt

ARSENAL continued their pre-season tour with an easy 5-2 win in Austria yesterday against SC Ritzing.

Dennis Bergkamp scored at the far post before Thierry Henry headed home Freddie Ljungberg’s cross.

Jose Antonio Reyes scored a penalty after the ball was handled by Markus Pachammer before Bergkamp’s poor header allowed Roman Pajer to score.

Alfred Schiffer’s low drive pulled another back for Ritzing before Alexander Hleb scored into an empty net and Sebastian Larsson grabbed a fifth late on.

In addition to their five goals, Arsenal created numerous other chances as they maintained their unbeaten run through pre-season.

Henry forced Pachammer to head off the line in the first-half and, after the break, Hleb and David Bentley both failed to capitalise on good openings.

Christian Stibi saved well from Hleb late on, while the Belarus midfielder also forced Franz Pohweiser to clear off his line.

Arsenal have three remaining pre-season games, against Utrecht, Ajax and Porto before they play Chelsea in the FA Community Shield on 7 August.

The Gunners boss Arsene Wenger refused to comment on claims they are interested in Roma midfielder Olivier Dacourt.

Dacourt has only one year left on his contract.

The 31-year-old former Everton and Leeds player’s agent Bruno Satin said: “Olivier would fit the profile of what Mr Wenger is looking for.

“He has Premiership experience, he would not cost a lot of money and he would be available immediately.”

In fact, Dacourt could even join Arsenal for free because of Roma’s financial difficulties as the Italians look to reduce their wage bill.