Chelsea’s Under 18’s beat Arsenal’s Under 18’s 1-0 at their Cobham training centre in West London this morning.
The game of course mirrored the clash between both sides first teams on Sunday, Arsenal knew the win would take them top with 3 games in hand, but both sides had been in action on Wednesday night so had only yesterday to recover, the Gunners had huge problems selecting a side, with 19 players who could have featured either injured, or away on international duty, but Bould named a strong abet it tired line up.
Szczesny
Blackwood – G.Hoyte – Thomas (c) – Evina
Rasmussen – Dunne – Eastmond – Barazite
Murphy – Fonte
It meant Gavin Hoyte, Rhys Murphy and James Dunne all played three games in one week, goalscorers from the Portsmouth game, Nacer Barazite and Rhys Murphy were handed starts in an attacking line up, Anton Blackwood, Craig Eastmond and Jonas Rasmussen added a freshness to the side, the harsh weather had died off to a slight wind, and the sun came out as the game kicked off.
The only goal came inside the first 15 minutes, through Chelsea’s England Under 17’s international Adam Phillip, Conor Henderson was introduced with 20 minutes left, and he impressed as he has on other adventure’s in the side this term, but despite creating some good chances Arsenal suffered defeat for the first time in four games, the title is still on course for North London, but further slip ups must not happen.
Article By – J.Sanderson
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There is no end of Thomas’ versatility. He continues to astound me. Pity that we have lost, but I think it is due to the fatigue of your forwards. No worries. I just want to ask how did Rasmussen do?
he is a super talent mate, Rasmussen did well, but failed to track back, he played some good passes.
Hi guys, first time commenting here.
Pity about the result but saying 19 players out I feel is a bit excessive.
I counted eight U18’s regulars absent through injuries or internationals. Then there were four reserve players who did not participate (Steer, Nordveit, Rodgers, Ogogo) as usual.
The others (Nichols etc.)are a part of the U16’s and at best very much on the fringe of the older team so they really shouldn’t be added to the list of the U18’s absentees.
Who was subs?
firstly welcome to young guns Runario.
Some of the Under 16’s were expected to make the step up, however they were injured, so they are added to the list of players who could not play.
Bit upset that they didn’t postpone this game, both sides are obviously going to be full of fatigue and if both teams were fit, there would possibly a different reflection of the score line.
Rasmussen did not play in this game so how could he fail to track back? He was an unused sub as was Blackwood whom you also (incorrectly) included in the line-ups.
Did you just lift the information from Arsenal.com?
The club have now amended their information and printed the correct team in the Liverpool Champion’s League programme.