Arsenal show no mercy to Barnet

Arsenal's pre-season preparations allowed them to give 20 fully-fledged internationals a run-out in a 6-1 thrashing of Barnet.  

Barnet goalkeeper Lee Harrison saved the Conference side from a double-figure mauling during a second-half assault from Arsenal.

Barnet had actually got the ball in the net after three minutes but Ben Strevens' overhead kick was ruled out for a foul as Arsenal struggled to settle.

But the Gunners eventually opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Frederik Ljungberg latched on to a loose ball and he swept past the static home defence before finishing with style.

The second came from Ashley Cole and Dennis Bergkamp got on the scoresheet in the 38th minute when he latched on to a good one-two with Ray Parlour to drill home with ease.

Barnet's only goal of the game arrived in the 55th minute when Neil Midgley benefited from Mark Arber's flick and fired home beyond David Seaman

Arsenal began the second half with Tony Adams, Bergkamp, and Kanu all shooting off target but just after the hour mark boss Arsene Wenger sent on eight substitutes and the moods changed.

Patrick Vieira fed Thierry Henry in the 68th minute and the former Juventus man made it 4-1.

Vieira added the fifth and Sylvain Wiltord completed the scoring.