5th place Arsenal travel to Champions Reading tonight in the Reserves League South, looking to build on positive performances against Birmingham, and Liverpool in recent weeks.
But the problem has not been playing well, its been actually winning the games, the lack of a target man since Jay Simpson was loaned to Millwall has took its toll, but top scorer Nacer Barazite is back from injury and ready to lead the line, 5 goals in his last 3 games including a hat-trick against Southampton, and a penalty for Holland Under 19’s mean he will carry Arsenal’s main goal threat.
Tonight is Banfield’s first big test since loaning Kieran Gibbs, and Mark Randall to Norwich and Burnley respectively, so an already young side, is set to get even younger, Gilles Sunu looks set to have a late fitness test, but if he does not make it, Rui Fonte could make his first appearance since his broken nose, which he has had surgery on, but even he has not been exactly prolific in front of goal.
Injury News
Henri Lansbury – Glandular Fever
Ahmed Abdulla – Personal Reason’s
Team News.
Gavin Hoyte is suspended after his red card against Birmingham City in the last game, so Paul Rodgers partner’s skipper Havard Nordtveit, it is as yet un-confirmed if James Dunne will be available after his red card against Liverpool in the FA Youth Cup.
The game see’s starts for 16 year old’s Craig Eastmond, and Kyle Bartley who is expected to play as a holding midfielder, as well as free scoring 15 year old Jack Wilshere.
Experience is added with Armand Traore, fresh from playing against Manchester United, looking to build on his two Reserve team goal’s this term.
Encouraging to see Rui Fonte return to the team after his broken nose, which he has had surgery on, as well as Rhys Murphy being named amongst the substitutes, Young Guns reported last month he was back in full training, however whether he gets a run out in a completely different matter.
Vito Mannone returns after being too old to feature for the Under 18’s, and Kerrea Gilbert is not in action and thought to be on trial with another team.
The Confirmed Arsenal Team
Mannone
Ogogo- Rodgers Nordtveit (c)- Traore
Eastmond-Wilshere- Bartley –E-Thomas
Fonte – Barazite
Subs: Szczesny, Ayling, Cruise, Murphy, Freeman
The Confirmed Reading Team
Federici
De La Cruz (c) – Golbourne – Bennett – Rosenior
Kebe – Karacan – Bozanic – Convey
Lita – Long
A very impressive Reading side, boasting several internationals, Rosenior and Lita have both played for the England Under 21’s, Convey is a regular for the USA, Shane Long has featured for the Irish side, and new signing Jimmy Kebe starts after his transfer from Lens in the January window, former Gunner James Harper described him as the “New Henry” blessed with electric pace and power, as well as an eye for goal, Arsenal will have their work cut out.
So overall, what should be expect? Reading will put out a very strong side, it will an extremely tough game, Reading beat Arsenal 5-0 in this fixture last year, and we had the likes of Merida, Simpson, Randall, Gibbs, Barazite playing, and tonight an even younger side will take to the field, against a side who have netted 32 goals in this competition so far.
A In Depth Match Report Will Be Here Shortly After Full Time, If You Have Arsenal TV You Can Watch The Game Live, From 7pm.
Score Prediction? – Reading 4-0 Arsenal
Article By – J.Sanderson
great preview.
first chance to see the guy wilshere he looks a good player, what type of player is he?
where is dunne and hoyte? troare was shit against man u lets hope he is better tonight !!!
Interesting that Arsenal would choose to put this fixture on ATVO — a game where we easily could get run off the park.
Still, I’m glad they’re showing it. Good chance for some of us who can’t see the reserves — I live near San Francisco — to have a look.
And if you’re going to evaluate talent, why not against older, (currently) better players?
I’m particularly interested to see how Nordveidt looks against the next best thing to the “real deal.”
One question: Reading clearly has a powerful outfit in the reserves. Some of their supporters are wondering if the wrong gang might be playing in the Prem.
Where do you suppose the Reserves League champion would rank in England’s football pyramid?
(Not cheating with the Bedtners, Walcotts, etc., except for rehab or special cases.)
Is this Reading reserve team good enough to complete in League One? League Two?
Just wondered your thoughts.
Cheers!
Thanks for the comments guy.
firstly, Jack is a free scoring midfielder, and secondly Reading’s reserves could do very well in league 1 or 2
Hi mate which club is kerry gone to? will he be coming back? keep up the great work ! excellent site!
Not sure which club he has gone to, but i heared today he is training with another club, with a view to a loan deal.
And thanks alot
Randall couldn’t complain about the class on the opposite team if he was on the pitch for the reserves today…
And Kerry-who?
Great work mate!
I personally think that Luke Freeman has done well to make the reserve team bench so quickly considering he has only been at Arsenal a couple of weeks
Kick off soon!
(Sanchez Watt is injured)
1 – 0 up half time against the run of play.
Rui Fonte takes advantage of De La Cruz & Federici’s mistake, passes to Barazite to square it to Jack Wilshere who cooly taps it in.
Reading get a disgraceful penalty on 89 minutes and Mannone SAVES IT.
hi whats the final score and any arsenal players standing out, how did jack wilshere play for his first game
is rvp there by any chance? how did traore do?
Only saw second half, but it was very impresive game by Arsenal. Extra credit to Mannone, but there was many lads who was good today, that not’s including Traore in his defensive. Dont know what we should do with him, he is awfully bad in the defence, but a good attacking player. Winger?
1-1 Full time, huge report coming very soon.
hi again cheers how did jack wilshere play was he physically strong enough
Full Match Report Added Now.
http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/reading-1-1-arsenal-reserves-match-report/