Arsenal 2-0 Portsmouth – Reserves – Match Report

Arsenal’s Reserves took on Portsmouth Reserves tonight, in the Reserves League South at Westleigh Park the home of Havant and Waterlooville.

Arsenal started the same formation as we predicted in the match preview, however there was one change to the bench, Cedric Evina replaced Jonas Rasmussen.

Subs: – Mannone, Ayling, Eastmond(80), Emmanuel-Thomas(72), Evina(76)

Result – Arsenal 2-0 Portsmouth
Murphy (41)
Barazite (81) [Penalty]

Match Report

So to the game, Arsenal had the kick off and set about playing their pass and move football, Djourou started to take control in the midfield, and as he skipped away he was hacked down, after a flowing passing move involving Dunne and Rodgers, the ball was fed into the Swiss international, who was dumped to the floor by Sean Davis a late dangerous tackle, replays showed Davis’s studs went straight into his ankle, and had left Johan in agony on the deck, after a few minutes of treatment he returned to action.

As Arsenal looked to settle, and move the ball, it broke to Mutomba who looked to take on Rodgers, but he closed the door and won a throw in, it was the Gunners were looking the more comfortable, however with Nugent and Davis they always had an added threat Nordtveit and Hoyte would have to watch.

Dunne then clipped a ball forward, which forced a mix up in the back-line and it ran for Fonte, Rui fed Djourou who layed it off to Rodgers he took a touch and curled a cross to the back post but Barazite headed well over, Djourou was looking classy in the midfield, first picking out Fonte and then Murphy who tried to curl a right footed shot in from the edge of the box.

Barazite then took control skipped forward and with superb vision destroyed the whole Portsmouth back-line with a ball to Fonte who struggled to keep possession, then Blackman came racing forward and fed Mutomba who blazed wide from the edge of the area, then after good work from Nugent, Davis let fly, but Fabianski was equal to it.

Portsmouth then nearly had the opener, Duffys long ball caught out Steer and Hoyte, and Nugent volleyed it into the side netting, a powerful strike, and worrying how easy the back-line was opened up.

Rui Fonte then came racing forward, and was pulled down by the already booked Davis, who got a telling off by the referee, Barazite took charge of the set-piece but the dipping free-kick went high and wide, then the fore-mentioned Fonte barged Davis off the ball, and came racing forward and from 25 yards shot low and hard but Ashdown was equal to it, then Dunne found himself in a good area, but his shot from the edge of the box looped high and wide and out for a throw in.

Arsenal then stepped up the tempo, Djourou’s powerful run found Fonte who’s effort was blocked, Barazite was then fouled after a mazy run, and Nacer took the kick himself, and his floated effort was punched away by Ashdown.

Nugent had the games next chance, after rolling Nordtveit, Fabinaski came out and instead of shooting he tried to take a touch, the Norwegian caught up and cleared the ball, for a corner, Lukasz then had to tip Wilson’s header over.

As half time approached the chances started to dry up, but Arsenal would snatch the lead, when Fonte’s effort was spilled by the experienced Ashdown and Rhys Murphy was back to his old poaching way and slotted his young team into the lead.

However just before the break, it could have been 2-0, when Barazite let fly from range after some excellent passing, but the fore-mentioned Ashdown got down well to beat the effort out.

Half Time – Arsenal 1-0 Portsmouth

The second period started in a very different manner, both sides seemed sluggish and struggled to get going, with passes going astray, but Arsenal’s top-scorer Barazite then exploded into action and in space Ashdown recovered the poor defensive work and easily claimed it.

Sean Davis was adding steel to Portsmouth midfield, but the job got even harder when he pulled up injured Ryan Gazet Du Chattelier was introduced, as was Ward, and then if things could not have got any worse.. it did Du Chattelier joined Davis in pulling up injured and with all three changes made, they had to fight the rejuvenated Gunners with 10 men.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas replaced Rui Fonte and Cedric Evina came on for Rhys Murphy as the clock ticked down, Banfield was looking to seal the victory.

Arsenal then stepped up and finished the match with 10 minutes left, Abu Ogogo found himself in the area, when Andre Blackman stepped across him and brought him over with a poor challenge, Referee Mr Turner pointed for a spot kick, and in form Dutchman Barazite was presented with the chance to double the advantage and seal the win.

Ashdown guessed correctly, but Nacer’s cool effort was right into the corner handing him his 18th goal this season, Eastmond replaced the now tiring Djourou, and impressive 80 minutes for him which will please Arsene Wenger.

The game then returned to its slower tempo, but Portsmouth would have on final chance to rescue something however it would finish 2-0, a great performance from Banfield’s boys, and three points that will stand Arsenal in good stead in future fixtures.

Full Time – Arsenal 2-0 Portsmouth

Article By – J.Sanderson