A superb second half display saw Arsenal’s Reserves dismantle Derby County this evening at Underhill, to keep up their impressive form. The win came thanks to goals from Nacer Barazite, Gilles Sunu, Rhys Murphy (2) and Jay Emmanuel Thomas.
Banfield switched the team and brought in Denilson and Justin Hoyte from last weeks game, with Paul Rodgers moving to left backand Sunu partnering Barazite up front in a “little and large” strike force.
Fabianski
J.Hoyte – Nordtveit (c) – Djourou – Rodgers
Ogogo – Dunne – Denilson – Traore
Barazite – Sunu
Subs: – Mannone, – Steer, – Thomas, – Wilshere, – Murphy.
Match Report
So to the game, it was obvious right from the off Arsenal would out class and out play Derby, and using Traore and Rodgers the early threat came down the left hand side, first Rodgers got it and over hit his effort, then the Frenchman Traore had a go but it had too much pace to cause any real problems.
Barazite had dropped off Sunu to test and tease the Rams back line, his link up play was superb and it was creating space for the newly turned professional Sunu, then came the best move of the half so far, a lovely quick passing triangle opened up the static Derby defence, allowing Denilson to clip a ball over the top for Sunu and Rodgers, fearing he would be offside Paul left it for Sunu who was in plenty of space, however by the time he had taken it under his spell he was crowded out and saw his effort blocked and cleared, but only as far as Denilson who drove an effort into the box however that was also blocked.
With the passing game becoming more difficult the ball went to Havard Nordtveit who played several long chipped passes over the back four, but poor control from Ogogo and Traore on the flanks made counter attacking difficult, the passing football then came back, and the Gunners ability to mix it up was almost deadly Traore was allowed to rampage in around the back, Sunu was arriving but his cross was turned away, in a frustrating spell.
Things nearly got worse as Derby came back into it, striker Robertson won a free-kick on the edge of the area after Johan Djourou had tripped him, his top corner bound effort similar to Owen Hargreaves effort yesterday had Fabianski scrabbling, but the Polish stopped clawed it out, then came a horror moment as both Hoyte and Djourou let the ball run and the fore-mentioned Robertson raced in, having nicked the ball around the keeper Lukasz clattered into him, with the referee appearing to point to the spot, but he then decided against the penalty and gave a goalkick instead.
Denilson then took the ball under his control, looked up and saw a parting in the Derby back line, he flicked it through but the goalkeeper gathered before Barazite could tuck it home, however fortunes would get better for the Dutchman, after picking the ball up 25 yards out, Sunu made a run around the back, both centre back followed him leaving Barazite a free space to stroll in to which he did, and as Hinchcliffe came out Nacer slotted it beyond him to give the Gunners a much deserved lead, on 38 minutes.
The Justin Hoyte came over to the touchline complaining of a calf problem, Banfield called Jack Wilshere over and the 16 year old came on, with Ogogo moving to right back and Wilshere taking the wing role, a free kick from Denilson brought the first half to a close.
Half Time – Arsenal 1-0 Derby
Right from the off in the second period, Arsenal were better than Derby, and keen to press home the advantage, Armand Traore came flying out of the traps he clipped and effort to Denilson who’s drive went behind for a corner, the signs looked ominous for The Rams.
Then Traore was clipped down on the edge of the box after a mazy run, Traore took the free kick himself, but it was high and over, then the super impressive Wilshere got going, he rolled two players with ease before his shot went behind for a corner, Denilson took it, and Gilles Sunu climbed highest but his header was cleared off the line.
However Gilles would get off he mark a little later, then Wilshere was at it again, the left footed wizard cut inside jinking beyond two players, however as he tried to place it it ended up in the stand, then as Banfield had explained in his pre match interview, Denilson would not be playing the full 90 minutes, an Jay Thomas came on with devastating consequence’s.
Wilshere and Dunne linked up well and the ball found Barazite in space, but Derby threw bodies in front of the Dutch forward closing him out, then Barazite got in around the back his flicked cross found Sunu who collapsed in a heap when it seemed easier to score, Jay Thomas took over for the next attack, he side stepped two players and when it seemed all he had to do was place it he cannoned it into the stand, the 2nd goal seemed difficult to come by.
The Derby threatened to equalise the impressive Robertson took on the whole back line until Abu Ogogo made a last ditch tackle, but if the visitors had any hopes of getting a point from the game, that was soon dashed when Traore destroyed the right back for pace, on the wing, stabbed the ball into the area where it seemed Sunu had over run it, but he kept composed and smashed it home with pin point accuracy, his first goal for the club, and the perfect way to celebrate gaining professional terms.
From then on it seemed the game would just be “how many” would the Gunners score, Wilshere and Thomas were running the show in midfield, and it was Wilshere who had the next big chance he danced inside fed Traore and as Jack continued his run, the Frenchman drilled the ball straight at the substitute Wilshere, a painful lesson for the school boy.
Then Nacer Barazite was withdrawn on 71 minutes, with Rhys Murphy coming on, with 19 minutes left, Traore’s trickery then won Arsenal a corner which was placed onto the head of Djourou, his goal bound effort only found the keepers gloves, then Derby came forward and won a surprise penalty as Robertson’s cross was handled by Ogogo, giving the Rams the chance to half Arsenal’s hard fought lead.
Robertson took it himself and sent Fabianski the wrong way for 2-1 on the 80 minute mark, however any anger over the penalty was dismissed just 60 seconds later, as Wilshere raced away from right to left, his delicate chip found Murphy’s head, he lifted it beyond the keeper for 3-1.
Arsenal had a taste for it now Rodgers and Murphy linked up well, and Rhys fired into the stand when he really should have passed to Wilshere, but the comfort of a two goal lead meant there were no hostilities, Wilshere then turned sharply and clipped James Dunne in, he lacked composure and rifled the chance into the stand.
There was time for more goals, Jay Thomas danced past two players before racing into the area, and as the keeper went down, Thomas side footed the ball beyond him for 4-1 on 87 minutes, Traore and Thomas linked up straight after the re-start but the cross failed to reach Sunu, then Djourou came flying out from the back he exchanged passes with Sunu before going through 1 on 1 and as the keeper dived down, Djourou rolled it across for Murphy to tap home for 5-1.
Goal of the night was nearly won by James Dunne, as Traore set the former Wimbledon midfielder in from 25 yards, his pile driver smashed the bar and went over.
Full Time – Arsenal 5-1 Derby
Goals:
Barazite (38)
Sunu (65)
Robertson (Derby)(80)
Murphy (81)
Thomas (87)
Murphy (91)
Article By – J.Sanderson
Excellent post mate, you should write the scorers at the bottom to make it clearer though
it was a good game felt sorry for derby but i thought Traore,Barazite,Wilshere,Denilson and thomas were on another level.Traore looks really good on the wing. He can show more of his skills and pace.Watching wilshere was like watching helb hope he keeps improving.Last thing Great to see denilson back
Yeah true, reports that he failed a drug test are over now!
Not Reports, Rumours i mean
nice report mate, but f*ck me, some decent punctuation in your paragraphs would make it easier to follow.
how was denilson .. match fit?
will any of them be included in the first team against reading?
traore should play against reading but i think he should play left wing but clichy needs a rest he’s been a monster all season lol barazite should aleast be on the bench
Denilson looked decent, he has some nice touches, and moved the ball well, it looks like he could do with another few games before being blood back into the first team again.
Barazite and Wilshere were top class, and the commentators picked up on the Hleb comparisions i made about 2 months ago.
lol… but does wilshere shoot?
is he english?
yeah i remember you saying that m8 about wilshere but i agree i think denilson needs a couple mre games before he can have first team
Yes he is English, and 14 goals this season, tell you he does shoot mate
neat… a hleb that shoots.. just hope that he is patient enough here… and english too.. lovely…
hi guys, just wondering if there is anyway to download reserve games, for those of us not fortunate to have setanta tv.
Maybe this service could be an addition to your sit?
anywhere to download this game?
Here is that Wilshere article if anybody wanted to see it
http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2008/02/22/jack-wilshere-the-new-alex-hleb/
yes i would love to offer it, but that is a part of Arsenal, not Young Guns, i dont have the rights to stream or broadcast the games, i can only report on them
You can watch it tomorrow at 9 again on Arsenal TV. LOL sanderson, i see you’ve followed my advice of puttin da scorers on eh?
very funny, thanks anyway sanderson and keep up the good work
is there any video of dis one guys pls post it here..
you suggested it mate, it was a good idea, so put it up ;).
no problem Lox
Good to see Sunu finally get on the score sheet even though it sounds like he missed a sitter.
Great to see Denilson back in action as well.
Sounds like Traore’s doing really well but I don’t really expect him to play at LB much because Clichy’s still young and brilliant, but I suppose he could compete with Vela/Rosicky for the LW position, unless he goes on loan.
Wilshere also appears great but he’s going to find it difficult to break into the first team because Cesc/Flamini could still be there in 4-5 years time at CM. Same with Lansbury and Frimpong, and Denilson and Diaby are ahead of them too.
I hate to say it but I just don’t think some of these players will be able to break into the first team and as a result will do well elsewhere, such as Rhys Murphy who has Barazite and our first team players ahead of him (and Sunu as well apparently). Hopefully they all stay though ;).
lox, if you pay for Arsenal TV Online, you can watch the reserves’ games on the internet.
I thought Nordveit looked really good, very composed, while Djourou wasn’t 100% concentrated. Wilshere looks like a great prospect; I agree – he is a little Hleb who has been taught to shoot… Sunu has great movement, he looks strong, pacy and determined with a great engine on him – if he improves his ball control, he can become a very good forward. Barazite looks ready for first-team football – he’s a very classy and intelligent player. Ogogo was better in defense than in midfield, while Rodgers played well in an unfamiliar position. Both look like decent players, although I’m not sure they’ll become first team players for Arsenal. Hoyte – I’ve seen him play better than he did today. If only Dunn had better technique, he could become a top player – I guess he can at best become a professional for a Championship side. Fabianski didn’t have a lot to do – but he certainly has to work on his distribution. Murphy looks very composed, but I don’t think he’ll become an Arsenal first-teamer – doesn’t have that spark on him. Jay Emanuel Thomas seemed like a grown man playing with kids – although he’s young, I think he can already be loaned out to a Championship side.
The young Derby players were really poor (except for their striker, Robertson, and their keeper), but it was a good performance by the team non the less. Taking into account we have Lansbury, Merida and Vela too, we have a great future. We now just have to make that very little tweak to make sure we have a great present too.
Oh, and I forgot to say – Traore was magnificent.
IL Gooner.. so you do feel that traore is better on the wing…
what is brazite’s position.. does he play well on the LW RW or striker role?
traore is clearly better on the wing he’s got tricks and bloody hell he’s fast lol i totally agree about thomas he looks very strong could easily play in the championship
Is there a reason that Gavin Hoyte hasn’t played recently? Is he suspended
Jay Thomas was wicked when he came on, so composed on the ball imo he shoul have started ahead of Dunne
Gunner
I hope you are wrong about Giles Sunu being a head of Rhys Murphy because i would be very disaponted in Arsene Wenger if this was true as for the likes of Wilshere, Lansbury and Frimpong not being able to get into the team they are still only 16/17 year old kids so they will not be involved in first team action for a good few years exept mabey for Henri Lansbury who i expect to make the step up to the first team squad next season because he is better prospect than Denilson who has gone backwards IMO
wilshire sounds mad any chance of carling cup action for him next year or is it to early
Murphy seems to have more end product than Sunu. He also has good trickery, though probably not as fast as Sunu.
I would hope that the more productive player gets preference. Heck, Murphy could become like Alan Shearer.
I doubt that Wilshire will feature in the CC next season. Fabregas was the same age when he started every game there as Wilshire will be next season. But Fabregas was something special, plus our CC squad is stronger now.
Wenger will probably have the same policy in CC as this year. That means that we will see Denilson, Djourou, Bendtner, Fabianski, Traore, Merida and maybe Vela, depending on how good he does. The CC squad is composed of players who are in the first team but do not see regular playing time. Then we had some reserves players on the bench (Mannone, Merida, etc.)
i can guarantee you that nordtveit is in the CC squad next yar.. it was injuries that kept him out this year..
what about lansbury
hi where do u get higlights of these goals aprt from arsenal tv and can u make a video on jack wilshere or nacer baarzite if u know how to. But my main point is we got some quality english younsters in thomas, crusie, lansbury, murphy, bartley, and especially wilshere. So good to hear
You can watch them on Arsenal.com, and there might be some repeats on Arsenal TV later in the week.
nordtveit was meant to play against Newcastle in the carling cup this season but got injured. I would like to see mruphy in the cc next season – I agree with the above poster about his comparisons to alam shearer.
Barazite is a world classe player beleave me he will be a super star we love you Nacer
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