Arsenal’s Under 18’s kept up their stunning form with a 3-0 win over Milton Keynes Dons this morning in Buckinghamshire.
Like we predicted in the match preview, Steve Bould rotated, however one changed was forced upon him, first choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny picked up an injury in the warm up, meaning it gifted the chance to James Shea to show what he is all about.
Further changes included Kyle Bartley‘s return, he partnered skipper Jay Emmanuel-Thomas with Cedric Evina returning to his familiar left back slot and Luke Ayling moving into midfield, Sanchez Watt started on the right, a position he scored in for the Reserves against Portsmouth, and with Anton Blackwood rested, Craig Eastmond started.
Shea
Eastmond – Bartley – Thomas [c] – Evina
Watt – Frimpong – Ayling – Freeman
Wilshere
Murphy
In a similar way to last week Emmanuel Frimpong netted a stunning free-kick to hand Arsenal the lead, before further strikes from England Under 17’s international Rhys Murphy, and Jay-Emmanuel Thomas sealed the win as they tussle with West Ham for a play-off place.
A stunning second half hat-trick from Benik Afobe saw Arsenal’s Under 16’s demolish their MK Dons counterparts to put themselves bang in form ahead of next week’s Nike Cup tournament.
With the Cup taking priority Steve Gatting rotated the side not only to rest the key players, but to look at others who could offer something next week, the big change came up front where leading marksman Benik Afobe was left out to face the Dons who have good relations with the Gunners following the transfer of Mark Randall.
It seemed right from the start Benik’s admission would not be a problem, as fresh from earning a scholarship for next term winger Rorie Deacon scored a spectacular lobbed effort after great work from centre back Nico Yennaris.
However that would be the end of the goals in the first period, and with little being created after the goal, Gatting brought Afobe on up front for the second period, to devastating consequences for the Dons, within minutes of the restart Sam Byles unlocked the defence to send Afobe through, he placed the ball beyond the keeper for 2-0.
Then it became like a training match, Benik skipped around the goalkeeper and place the ball into the net for 3-0 before completing his hat-trick with a delicate chipped shot after shocking defending, all in all a fantastic result and a brilliant performance from Afobe, remember the name.
Article By – J.Sanderson
afobe sounds like a gem sounds like the next best thing
I am just curious to know how many goals has Benik Afobe scored for the Arsenal U16’s team this particular season then
does szczesny make a habit of getting injured in the warm up and how come the scorers were exactly the same as last week (bar freeman) and in the same order as well
j.sanderson do u think afobe will make it and what type of striker is he?
He is a great striker it seems, he has impressed me so much this season, but he has a long way to go.
and not really a habit, but maybe its something he could work on.
and like i said Lance its too early to tell if he will make it, next season we will know more.
and he is a pacy strong forward a little like Eto’o
This Nike Cup. Any more details on it? :)
The Nike Cup starts tomorrow FC. It’s not the Man Utd cup, thats a seperate competition run by them.
ok i see thanks for that j.sanderson
no problem mate, Young Guns will be offering full coverage of the tournament.
hope that some young guns will shine in the tournament, especially Afobe. thanks for the match reports. :)
You think Sanchez Watt could make it?
If he does something about his attitude problewms?
of course mate, looking forward to it.
and yeah maybe he needs a good season next term to be considered, and now he is working towards a pro deal he has become more profesional
Does this Nike Cup have a website were it lists the teams, results and squads
there is only a website that tell you about it, only briefly, its pretty poor tbh, nothing about the teams or anything.
Do you know if we have signed a pre-contract with Afobe? Do you know what age you have to be to agree a pre-contract? Sorry, it’s just I’m worried about other clubs trying to snatch our biggest talents.
Thankyou for the update though.
do arsenal have anything like an arsenal cup of there own
are arsenal in the champions youth cup 2008 cus on thr champions youth cup website it doesny say arsenals name plz reply if it isnt then can u somehow persuade arsenal to enter
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