Arsenal V West Ham United – Reserves – Match Preview

Neil Banfield’s impressive Reserves side host West Ham United this evening at Underhill, In Reserves League South, still smarting from the 5-1 demolition handed out to struggling Derby County last Monday.

The London Derby will provide an electric atmosphere, as well as a tricky test for Arsenal youthful outfit, with West Ham often fielding a mixture of experience and youth against the young Gunners in recent encounters.

The match is something Boss Neil Banfield and his players have been looking forward to:

“It is always competitive and always a good game. They will have a senior team as they always do and we are looking forward to our next couple of games because in this side there is some real talent and the way they play, it will be a good test in the last games of the season.”

Arsenal are unbeaten in the last five Reserves fixtures and that run of results, has kick fired Arsenal’s push up the table. The title looks out of reach but a strong finish is a must especially with our resources.

We may not be able to win the title, however he can have a huge say in it, West Ham need a win tonight to make sure they put themselves in the hat. leaders Aston Villa face the Gunners in the final game of the season a week tomorrow.

Part of the superb form, has been the inclusion of first team players and that trend has continued tonight.

Johan Djourou will partner skipper Havard Nordtveit at centre back, and after playing 90 minutes for England Under 17’s at right back last week, Gavin Hoyte starts on the opposite flank.

The midfield is packed with talented and experience, Abou Diaby served the final game of his suspension for the first team on Saturday, and in a bid to keep up fitness he starts, replacing James Dunne who has played every single match this season.

Armand Traore and the super impressive Jack Wilshere will offer support to Rui Fonte and Nacer Barazite, with Under 18s captain Jay Emmanuel-Thomas offering a powerful attacking option from the middle.

However Banfield will have to make do without, Kerrea Gilbert (Injured) and Henri Lansbury (Lack Of Fittness) added to James Dunne (Rested) and Lukasz Fabianski (With The First Team).

The Confirmed Team

Mannone
Rodgers – Nordtveit (c) – Djourou – G.Hoyte
Wilshere – Thomas – Diaby – Traore
Barazite – Fonte

Subs – Szczesny, – Steer, – Ogogo, – Murphy, – Sunu.

Prediction – Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Watch out for Jack Wilshere and Jay Thomas tonight, should be an interesting watching Jay alongside Diaby too with recent comparisons.

Remember to check back shortly after full time, for a full in depth report.

Article By – J.Sanderson

33 thoughts on “Arsenal V West Ham United – Reserves – Match Preview

  • April 21, 2008 at 2:36 pm
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    Diaby in the middle, damn, that must be the first time for Arsenal (ok maybe second), finally we might be able to see just what he can do when he is played is proper position. Are they showing the game live on ArseTV

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  • April 21, 2008 at 2:45 pm
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    yes they are mate arsenal tv online and normal arsenal tv.

    Diaby and Jay Thomas is a mouth watering combo

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  • April 21, 2008 at 2:50 pm
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    lets see what diaby does in the middle… any chance of you posting the highlights for us?

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  • April 21, 2008 at 3:03 pm
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    i would love to mate, but the highlights are property of Arsenal FC.

    I dont have the licence to post them, and if i do its copyright theft.

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  • April 21, 2008 at 3:22 pm
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    alright thats pretty sad… looking forward to the match report then.

    thanks.

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  • April 21, 2008 at 3:27 pm
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    but isn´t Thomas a more defensive than Diaby atleast he has been used in the under 18 at centerback. And one more thing Anderson when you post a message and you forget to put either your name or your mail you can not return to what you have writen down and loose everything, please sort it out I have lost two messages becourse of it

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  • April 21, 2008 at 3:30 pm
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    thanks ck, if you e-mail me, i may be able to sort you out.

    and Thomas is attack minded thats why he gets so many goals from defence.

    Unfortunatley its a issue with the skin, i would suggest copying your message so if it does do that, then you can paste it back, or simply take a few moments to check.

    Reply
  • April 21, 2008 at 3:37 pm
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    West Ham have played basically an Under 19 side nearly all season in the Reserves. Likely team will be:

    Walker
    Miller Spence Ngala Widdowson
    Stanislas Collison(c) Hales Edgar
    Camara Stokes

    No Wright, no Tomkins, no Spector, no Reid, no Sears, no Hines. Basically a reserve reserve side.

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  • April 21, 2008 at 3:39 pm
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    but I just don´t think Diaby has the workrate you need to be a defensive midfielder (actually think it would be hard for him to play in the middle becourse of this) what I´ve seen of Diaby he looks more like a playmaker almost a bit doing the same work as Zidane but of course far from Zidanes talent.
    Okey well checking is good advise

    Reply
  • April 21, 2008 at 3:41 pm
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    Mr Sanders Great blog by the way, I come from Africa and have been reading your posts for 3 months and i have noticed that you rate Jack Wilshere very highly, Have u got any vids of him or links of where i can see hhis vids please reply quickly

    Reply
  • April 21, 2008 at 3:42 pm
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    i agree, it seems Diaby is not defensive enough to be a holding midfielder, but not attacking enough to be a play-maker.

    So the fact he has signed a new contract recently, seems to suggest Wenger has a plan for him.

    Tonight is just about him keeping up fitness and energy levels.

    Reply
  • April 21, 2008 at 3:46 pm
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    Thank you Chiku, i believe somebody i making a video of him, if i find one or on its completion i will post it.

    Reply
  • April 21, 2008 at 3:47 pm
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    but can I ask you do you think Traore will do better on the wing than Eboue has does he have better end product than Eboue, well I tought Eboue would do great up on the wing but he has dissapointed me there but some how I still think Traore is better up there

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  • April 21, 2008 at 4:00 pm
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    i thought Eboue would be good, and he hasnt been too.

    Traore’s end product is poor, and when his crosses dont reach people, he trys to take people on and often looses the ball.

    I cannot see him making it as a winger, but he is going out on loan to Portsmouth next season, so we will learn then about his true qualities.

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  • April 21, 2008 at 4:06 pm
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    okey thanks Sanderson great blog by the way.

    Reply
  • April 21, 2008 at 4:08 pm
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    who’s gonna backup clichy then?

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  • April 21, 2008 at 4:10 pm
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    No problem, and thank you very much.

    Gallas can play there, plus Justin Hoyte.

    Pedro is a left back too, but he will spend next season on loan again so no obvious choice.

    Reply
  • April 21, 2008 at 4:29 pm
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    its a very atatcking taem tonight, maybe a bit too attacking, we might be hit on the counter a few times. we will play all the football and probably lose!

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  • April 21, 2008 at 6:31 pm
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    RUI FONTE!!
    Arsenal 1-0
    In the 25th minute

    Reply
  • April 21, 2008 at 7:01 pm
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    keep up the updates gooner chris and cant w8 2 hear about who played well..esp diaby and johan who i hope both start vs derby..

    Reply
  • April 21, 2008 at 7:07 pm
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    I’m tring to watch this game online on ArsenalTv but the image keeps freezing and buffering. So frustrating!!!

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  • April 21, 2008 at 7:12 pm
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    Jack Wilshere and Jay Emmanuel Thomas are looking good.

    Reply
  • April 21, 2008 at 7:12 pm
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    whats happening.. how is diaby playing in the middle? and traore?

    Reply
  • April 21, 2008 at 7:14 pm
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    how are bondz ngala and anthony edgar playing for west ham, both went to my school and ngala recently signed pro. also edgar is jermaine defoe’s cousin

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  • April 21, 2008 at 7:46 pm
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    lol.. don’t tell me its a hamstring

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  • April 21, 2008 at 7:50 pm
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    Hmm, update any1? :)

    Hows Nordtveit doing? Anyone know what kinda player he is?

    Heard that he is a good playing centre back, with some technique and a good touch, in addition to good defensive skills.

    How is his pace? And strength?

    Reply
  • April 21, 2008 at 8:04 pm
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    3-0

    RUI FONTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    30 yard bullet

    Reply
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