Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham – Reserves – Match Report

Arsenal Reserves drew 1-1 with Tottenham Reserves in the mini derby this evening at Underhill, the scoring was all done in the first half an hour, when after poor defending, Tomas Pekhart poked home from close range on 11 minutes, before a stunning long range drive from Armand Traore levelled things on 28 minutes.

Neil Banfield switched the side a little from the formation we predicted in the Match Preview, with Gavin Hoyte playing left back, Djourou partnering Nordtveit at the heart of the defence, and Ogogo and Dunne being the sides central partnership.

Fabianski
Rodgers – Nordtveit – Djourou – G.Hoyte
Barazite – Dunne – Ogogo – Traore
Fonte – Sunu

Subs – Mannone, Steer, Cruise, Watt

Match Report

The game started in a competitive manner, with both sides feeling their way into the game, however the first big moment game on two minutes, when James Dunne clattered into Danny Rose in the half way line for a free-kick, the sides would then exchange possession over the next minutes, before Danny Rose clashed with Barazite, the Dutchman quickly recovered.

Gilles Sunu was running the channels well, however Banfield’s side lacked the natural target man, that Barazite gives them, Fonte and Sunu are two creative forwards meaning when it went forward nobody was playing on the shoulder of the Spurs back line, then the game fired into action, the impressive Rose raced forward and he spotted Jacques Maghoma all on his own on the right flank, and with no Gavin Hoyte anywhere to be seen, he took a touch and drilled a ball deep into the area, where Tomas Pekhart was left unmarked to slide the ball beyond a stranded Fabianski on 11 minutes.

Then Arsenal got going, Neil Banfield was cheering his team on, helped by the large crowd and it seemed to pay off, Sunu was backing in and trying to flick anything that came his way towards he goal, then it became the Armand Traore show, he burst beyond Chris Gunter and found Rui Fonte all on his own on the edge of the box, he took a touch and just as the fans sat up to celebrate he sliced it in to the goalkeepers gloves, a really poor effort from Rui.

The Traore got in again, this time pulled it back for Gilles Sunu, he came strolling onto it but blazed high and over, if Armand learnt one thing from his team mates misses it would be, if they wont finish the chances, he would have to do it himself, and when Barazite rolled two players and fed Fonte, the ball then found itself at the feet of Armand who stuck a first time rocket beyond Tommy Forecast from 25 yards, a simply stunning strike, and his third Reserves League South goal of the season, Game On !.

If the goal was meant to inspire Arsenal to go on and win the game, it did the opposite, as Spurs took control first Danny Rose had a shot blocked before Djourou and Nordtveit came forward to try and kick start the Gunners passing game, Barazite was then ordered to play behind the strikers in a creative role, this gave Arsenal an added attacking threat, as the half drew to a close.

Half Time – Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham

Arsenal came straight out of the blocks in the second half, as Barazite sent Sunu away he twisted and teased the Tottenham defence, with his pace and power before showing his lack of experience when Dorian Dervite forced him inside where the attack was snuffed out, a frustrating night for the Frenchman.

Tottenham would then turn the style on, Gilberto came forward from left back and raced past 3 players before a stunning last ditch tackle from Nordtveit ended any chance of a goal, then Barazite tried to get things going, he rolled two players with ease before Archibald-Henville managed to get it away, in an end to end start to the second period.

A silky passing move between Djourou, and Traore showed how easy at times it could be to rip Tottenham open, the pair exchanged the ball as they turned defence in to attack, before Johan toe-poked Armand in, however it ran a little wide and the Frenchman struck through the ball and into the stand.

Adel Taarabt then came into the game more and more, first catching Rodgers out before a tame cross was cleared before using his skills to burn out the London born full back, but like the first occasion the cross was poor, Tottenham were then unlucky not to have a penalty, when Maghoma turned Gavin Hoyte, and Gavin stepped across the winger and clipped his knee it looked like the Spurs player had dived and Clive Allen could not believe nothing was given, the Spurs coach would then become even more frustrated, as Simon Dawkins burst away from Nordtveit but Fabianski saved well.

Then came the moment where Arsenal really should have gone behind, Gilberto got away and rolled it across the box to the waiting Pekhart and from 11 yards he smashed the ball unmarked towards the goal, before an amazing save from Lukasz Fabianski got it away, but only as far as the Czech striker, who skipped around Lukasz before Djourou kicked it off the line, excellent defending from Johan.

Banfield then showed not only is he a good tactician, but also clever, as he used this point to defuse Tottenham by making changes on 58 minutes.

Rui Fonte > Sanchez Watt
Gilles Sunu > Thomas Cruise

Arsenal had now put Ogogo out wide, with Barazite and Watt as forwards, and Cruise would partner Dunne in the centre like this

Barazite – Watt
Traore – Dunne – Cruise – Ogogo

Watt’s energy made an instant impact, his pace and running power found Traore, he fed Dunne who badly over hit the cross, then Chris Gunter came racing forward from right back, and fired a low cross Fabianski grabbed it simply, then Banfield made a further change on 67 minutes.

Gavin Hoyte > Rene Steer

Another night to forget for Gavin, after his poor defending let Maghoma in to cross for the Tottenham goal, Arsenal then struggled to kick fire into action, Djourou and Nordtveit were pushing up trying to squeeze the play, and they were nearly punished when Gilberto got away and bounced off Ogogo, before Fabianski with another excellent save denied the Brazilian.

Sanchez Watt was looking fantastic, but with Barazite becoming isolated he has to do alot of the work on his own, as Spurs showed physically they were more powerful than the Gunners, however Watt was then booked after kicking Gunter, a sign of frustration from the Young forward.

James Dunne then fouled Livermore, he took the free kick short to Dorian Dervite, and the French defender blazed high into the stand, Barazite and Cruise linked up well as Arsenal pressed the passing game higher up the field now, Barazite turned Archibald-Henville but the lack of pass meant he was crowded out, the same thing happened again shortly after, this time after beating 3 players with his mazy foot work.

As the half wore on, Spurs tried for one last attack and got another free kick chance when Dunne climbed over sub David Hutton, it was blazed over but they would get another go when just seconds later, James Dunne pushed Mtandari near the edge of the area, a stupid tackle to make when Steer was close by, however it was again wasted.

Barazite had another attack after beating Gilberto twice but he was quickly surrounded by white shirts, and it was cleared long, the bounce beat Rodgers and sent Jake Livermore away on goal, but Captain fantastic Havard Nordtveit caught up and kicked the ball out with a excellent challenge.

Full Time – Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham

Man Of The Match – Lukasz Fabianski, Arsenal’s stopped made save, and save to keep Arsenal in the game including two stunning ones from Gilberto and Pekhart

In other news, Arsenal’s Under 18’s Are in action tomorrow against Millwall Under 18’s as they look to keep up their title challenge after going top last Saturday.

Article By – J.Sanderson