Neil Banfield’s impressive Reserves side host a struggling Derby County this evening at Underhill, looking to keep up their strong finish to the season and help put a final nail in to Derby County’s coffin in a season which has seen them be beaten comprehensively week in week out in the Premiership, as well as Reserves League South.
Part of the good form has been in the inclusion of various first team players, including goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and defenders Johan Djourou and Armand Traore with the latter two featuring in midfield, both start again tonight, despite being on the bench for the first teams trip to Old Trafford, further experience is added in Brazil international Denilson and Justin Hoyte.
Banfield experiments with Gilles Sunu and top scorer Nacer Barazite up top meaning the “little and large” partnership could be prolific, and with the steel of Dunne and Ogogo it seems the young Gunners have everything covered for the 7pm kick off.
In other news, Kerrea Gilbert and Henri Lansbury are out injured with the pair both expected to miss the rest of the season, Gavin Hoyte is away with the England Under 17s squad, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Rhys Murphy both pulled out of that team and were on the bench for the weekend win over Bristol City, both take places on the bench, along with Jack Wilshere, Rui Fonte is away with Portugal Under 17s, meaning an extremely strong team take on the Divisions worst outfit.
The Confirmed Arsenal Team
Fabianski
Rodgers – Nordtveit (c) – Djourou – J.Hoyte
Ogogo – Dunne – Denilson – Traore
Barazite – Sunu
Subs: – Mannone, – Steer, – Thomas, – Wilshere, – Murphy
Neil Banfield issued caution after last weeks 1-1 draw with Tottenham, and urged respect for Derby despite the fact the Rams have only picked up three points all campaign:
Derby have an Academy that they work at, and they put out a really young side, virtually their youth sides. Although they have been whipping boys they have a way of using the reserve level for development, much like we have been doing. It will be tough because they have good some young players.
Despite this, the strong looking Arsenal side should be more than enough to collect all three points against this dreadful Derby side.
Prediction – Arsenal 3-0 Derby
The game is live on Arsenal TV and Arsenal TV Online from 7pm, if you do not get to see the game, check back shortly after full time for a in depth match report.
Article By – J.Sanderson
so denilson back from the dead
indeed, he has been injured, and has recovered enough to start, lets hope he can some minutes and maybe a goal or two ;)
and offer the first team something
im from australia so i cant see the reserves on tv. do u know how i might be able 2 see highlights of the games. also is nordtveit gd enough next year to be in the first team. thanxs
BARAZITEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
1-0
what type of goal was it?
???
Wilshere and Jay Thomas are really good
thought that they were on the bench?
match report now added guys :)