Smith: Arsenal are the benchmark for us

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
02 Aug	4:15 PM	EC	Rangers (H)	3	0	Win

Rangers manager Walter Smith admitted that Arsenal are the benchmark for his team after being defeated 3-0 by the Gunners in the Emirates Cup today. A brace from Jack Wilshere and one more from Eduardo helped Arsenal win their first trophy of the new season.

The Scottish champions were outclassed at times, and this was especially down to the speed and movement of the North London club's midfield. A refined 4-4-1-1 formation, with Fran Merida playing off Eduardo, allowed Arsenal to dominate possession in the middle of the park.

Smith said: "It is not very often we come up against a team who play in a manner in which Arsène Wenger has them playing.

"They were excellent in terms of possession and speed. We had a very long afternoon in the dugout."

It only took a minute for Wilshere to open the scoring, but even as his Scottish Double winners were outclassed by a team that finished fourth in the English league last season, Smith is confident that Rangers and Celtic could hold their own in the Premiership.

He added: "The level of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal etc is not to be compared to the Scottish league - if it was, there would be something wrong with your league and not ours.

"There is a huge disparity at the top level, but not at the other level. From a Rangers and Celtic perspective, it is not there.

"But it is also among the English teams. If you take away the top four or five, I do not think the rest of the league play to a similar level to them."

User Comments

User Comments

• Got something to say?
• Read comments

Vs chelsea