Arsenal’s Dutch technician Nacer Barazite has hailed his Reserves team, after a stunning 5-1 victory over Derby County on Monday night, in which Barazite stuck his 20th goal of the season with a 38th minute opener.
In an exclusive interview with Arsenal.com the 17 year old even went as far as claiming it was a “Perfect” game:
“It was nearly a perfect game, With all respect, Derby are not the strongest side we have played this season, but they are a very young team. We stayed focused on the job and played the game our way and we won in style.
“For us to win so well was a big boost to the Club because the Reserve team is an important part of Arsenal. It showed the way we play football runs to all the levels.”
This season has seen Barazite explode in to goalscoring form, for club and country. 20 goals for Arsenal’s Reserves and Under 18s, added to 2 in 2 for Holland Under 19s have led to calls the former NEC Nijmegen starlet should be included in the first team for the remaining Premiership fixtures.
Nacer also confirmed Reserves coach Neil Banfield wants a strong finish to the season, with an added incentive that Arsene Wenger has been watching recent matches, and will continue to do so.
“Neil [Banfield] had told us to strive for a high finish in the league. If we win the next two games we can finish second or third I think and that would be a huge achievement for this young side. It is testament to how much we have improved. But we have done well already anyway.”
Development remains the the number 1 target for the Reserves, however having that added quality that first team players such as Lukasz Fabianski, Armand Traore, Johan Djourou and Denilson has added confidence, as well as an added threat:
“We have had a few experienced players in over the last few games and they helped lift the team,” continued Barazite. “It can be especially good for the young pros because it raises their game and they learn more too. [On Monday] everyone demonstrated what good football we can play.
“Last season there were a lot of the same players used at this level and you have been able to see the improvement over the season. It has been a big one.”
In other news, Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough United have confirmed they are hosting a mixed Arsenal 11 tonight in a friendly encounter.
Some Under 18 fringe players will join some of the Under 16s, to make up a team to face “The Posh”, so expect a side similar to this.
Shea
Byles – Nicholas (c) – Obed – Brisnal
Banton – Carrurthers – Aneke – Deacon
Afobe – Freeman
So a strong looking team to take on Peterborough’s Under 18’s side, meaning for players like Aneke, Afobe, Banton, Byles, Nicholas and Obed they will get a taste of life in the competitive Academy League.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Cant wait to see Barazite in Emirates cup V Madrid and Juve. If we dont see him before the end of the season of course. Is Traore likely to start LM against Reading do you think?
And are there many other trialist who maybe snapped up by Salamaneese or Osusana of this world?
How about Trsor Mtuptu.
Bet AW wishes he ad this in place when Yaya Toure was trialing with us.
Patrik the Young Brazilian i spoke about before, he looks set to go there,
and Mputu had many chances to impress and did not, so i doubt he would sign, it seems Arsenal Analysis are making a parade about something that does not exsit.
LOL Ogogo’s a joker. I just finished watching Young Guns Academy and they had an interview with him.
They asked him: Can you tell us something that no Arsenal fan will know?
He goes: I’m going out with some girl called Kirsty
hahaha, Abu is the joker of the Reserves, did they show the highlights?
Hey Sanderson! lets say that arsenal is secured on finishing 2 or 3 when one round is left of PL (or earlier), who do you think might(do you think any youngsters might be given a run? like the other years, some youngster have been given a run in the late season, like ryan garry, jermaine pennant etc etc. And last year did Marty Mart Poom of all people get a start between the sticks.
I guess barazite, djjourou and traore has a decent chance, but the likes of fabianski, denilson, murphy, sunu, maybe mannone?
the obvious ones would be Barazite, Djourou and Traore are first team players anyway so that doesnt count.
Nordtveit should get a look in and maybe Sunu.
do you think that barazite will get a go this season
Well after Chelsea’s recent slip, we still have a chance to get the second place. And although most fans don’t see a big difference between 2nd and 4th, I bet that PHW does. He will rather want to go straight to the CL rather then facing a chance of early knockout. Remember Everton the other year? They got Osasuna (when they were good) and were knocked out in the 3rd qualifying round.
it was Villareal actually
who is Carrurthers?
Neil: my bad. I remember it now. the year we went to the finals