Arsenal V Portsmouth – Reserves – Match Preview

Arsenal take on Portsmouth tonight in Reserves league South, after a month without a fixture due to the sides we were playing being involved in reshuffled Premiership games or FA Youth Cup fixtures.

Its Portsmouth down on the South coast, a team the young Gunners have a good record against, in the fixture earlier this season Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Nacer Barazite and Sanchez Watt, in the corresponding fixture last season Arsenal drew 0-0 as the season drew to a close.

Arsenal are without Henri Lansbury (Glandular Fever), Kerrea Gilbert (Ankle), Sanchez Watt (Unknown) Gilles Sunu (Rested) and Ahmed Abdulla (Personal Reasons) however the squad is rejuvenated, as predicted by me to some readers, Johan Djourou starts as does Lukasz Fabianski, a little disappointing for Vito Mannone after his impressive performances against Reading last time out.

Banfield can welcome back James Dunne and Gavin Hoyte after suspension, as he starts with three recognised forwards, young Danish midfielder Jonas Rasmussen joins Ayling, Eastmond and Jay Thomas in a strong looking bench, the line up.

Confirmed Arsenal Team & Formation

Fabianski
Rodgers – G.Hoyte – Nordtveit (c) – Steer
Ogogo – Dunne – Djourou – Barazite
Fonte – Murphy

Some of these boys have not played for a month as Banfield and Bould have kept the pro players away from the Under 18’s, however due to injuries some players will play two games in a week, Dunne and Hoyte are the exceptions, Djourou and Dunne will play holding midfield and look to protect the back line giving live-wire Dutchman Barazite a free role to cause trouble, Fonte and Murphy have been short of goals in recent weeks but with the service from the top scorer Nacer, you would expect one of them will get of the mark.

Portsmouth are yet to announce their squad, however Champions League winner Djimi Traore will start at Westleigh Park (home of Havant and Waterlooville) but the Gunners coach is relishing the challenge:

“Looking at our midfield tonight, there is a lot of experience of our own in there,” explained the manager.” Although they are only young, they should be bringing themselves along now.

“I think we can all take heart from our last performance, and the season so far as a whole. It has gone really well for them and their development has been superb.”

The title looks a little beyond Arsenal this season, but with many fixtures in hand like the Under 18’s we could mout a late charge for the title, something Banfield admits they are aiming for:

“At this stage, it’s not just the playing, but the actual mental preparation they go through. Both the Reserves and Youth team are doing well and aiming high with a quick turnaround in games. So it is good for them to get in the swing of that.”

Kick off is at 7pm tonight, the game is live on Arsenal TV Online And the Clubs TV Channel.

Full Match Report Available Around Half-Past Nine.

Edit: – Match Report 

Article By – J.Sanderson