Wood prepare for Gunners test (From Borehamwood Times)

Boreham Wood prepare for clash with Arsenal

5:17pm Thursday 19th July 2012 in Sport

Boreham Wood manager Ian Allinson is anticipating a tough test when an Arsenal XI visit Meadow Park this Saturday.

The match will be Wood’s fourth of a pre-season campaign that has already seen West Ham United, Stevenage and Watford already weclomed.

The fixture will be Terry Burton’s first game in charge of Arsenal’s renowned Development Squad – which has previously included the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Emmanuel Frimpong.

Wood manager and ex-Gunner Ian Allinson, is looking forward to welcoming the Premier League side.

He said: “It’s always a great work out for us when we play an Arsenal XI. We know that we won’t have the ball for large proportions of the game, which means we must remain focused throughout, it’s as much about our mental fitness in terms of our discipline as our physical fitness.”

During his playing career Allinson made 105 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 23 goals.

His most famous moment in a Gunners shirt came when he netted an equaliser as Arsenal came back to win 2-1 in the 1987 League Cup semi-final. The North London side would go on to take victory in the final.

The relationship between Boreham Wood and Arsenal has flourished over the last two decades as Meadow Park once housed the Arsenal Reserves before being home to Arsenal Ladies.

Tickets for the game are currently on sale and are also available on the day, although seating ticket will be limited.