Careless Arsenal waste two-goal lead against Boca

LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal showed some familiar defensive flaws as the Gunners had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors after squandering a two-goal lead in the Emirates Cup on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger's side have paid the price for costly mistakes in defence time and again duri

ng six trophy-free seasons and nothing seems to have changed judging by this sloppy performance.

Goals from Robin van Persie and Aaron Ramsey eased Arsenal into a 2-0 lead against their Argentine opponents, but second half errors from Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou allowed Boca to salvage a draw.

Arsenal were without captain Cesc Fabregas as Wenger felt the unsettled Spaniard wasn't in the right frame of mind to concentrate on the four-team friendly tournament at the Emirates Stadium in north London.

But, with new signing Gervinho in fine form, there were few problems with Arsenal's creativity in Fabregas's absence.

Instead it was the defence that looked more in need of attention and it is easy to see why Wenger is reported to be trying to sign Everton's England centre-back Phil Jagielka.

Ivory Coast forward Gervinho had impressed on his first Arsenal appearance, scoring twice in Cologne last weekend, and he started along with young defender Carl Jenkinson—another close-season signing—and Samir Nasri, who is a transfer target for Manchester City.

The hosts made the breakthrough on the half hour when Gervinho surged clear down the left and crossed for van Persie, who slotted home at the near post.

Wenger made several changes at half-time but Arsenal quickly increased their lead when Ramsey—one of the French coach's replacements—drilled home from 20 yards.

On the hour, Arsenal's substitute keeper Vito Mannone did well to turn over a dipping shot from Lucas Viatri.

However, Viatri was not to be denied on 68 minutes when he blasted into the top corner after Juan Riquelme had robbed Squillaci.

Another defensive blunder allowed Boca to equalise when Djourou fell over the ball in Arsenal penalty area and Pablo Mouche swept home.

Earlier in the day, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry watched from the sidelines as New York Red Bulls kicked off the competition with a 1-0 win over big-spending Paris St Germain.

Henry was rested by New York but Joel Lindpere put the Americans in front after 27 minutes with a cool finish and PSG were unable to equalise despite dominating possession.

PSG now funded by the wealthy Qatar Investment Authority, were without highly-rated Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore, who has agreed to join the French club from Palermo in a £38 million deal.

The tournament concludes on Sunday when Arsenal play New York, while PSG face Boca.