First Team Watch – Randall Features Against Sunderland

Arsene Wenger kept his policy by including a bench full of Reserves and Youth players for the final game of the season, for the trip to Teeside to take on Roy Keane’s Sunderland. The surprising news ahead of kick off was Kieran Gibbs was left out with a suspected injury, he was replaced by Reserves skipper Håvard Nordtveit.

Top scorer Nacer Barazite was also included alongside stopper Vito Mannone, winger Armand Traore and the fore mentioned Mark Randall.

The Confirmed Arsenal Team

Fabianski
Djourou – Senderos – Song – Clichy
Eboue – Denilson – Gilberto (c) – Walcott
Bendtner – Adebayor

Subs – 40. Mannone, 35. Nordtveit, 30. Traore, 36. Randall, 43. Barazite

Mark Randall was nearly involved with just three minutes gone, as Emmanuel Eboue had his ankle kicked out. After being taken of on a stretcher Eboue it seemed could not continue and Randall was warming up. However shortly afterwards he returned.

Sunderland has some nice early touches, and two free kicks which were eventually wasted. But then Arsenal stepped up the tempo and bagged the opening goal. Gilberto picked the ball up in the centre of midfield and poked it inside the Sunderland back line, Walcott raced on to it and as Martin Fulop advanced Theo clipped the ball beyond him to give Arsenal a 24th minute lead.

The second half was a more relaxed affair between the two sides, and at times it seemed both sides had half an eye on the summer break. But following a mix up between Danny Collins and goalkeeper Marton Fulop Arsenal won a free kick from just 6 yards out.

Bendtner, Adebayor, Walcott and Gilberto all stood over it, with the latter coming up and smashing it well wide of the target in a bizarre incident. Then Pat Rice signaled two changes for the Gunners.

Mark Randall > Nicklas Bendtner (81)
Armand Traore > Emmanuel Eboue (81)

The TV commentators then made jokes about Randall’s hair cut even saying it looks like it was cut with a knife and fork! haha. Walcott pushed up front with Randall on the right wing, and Traore taking the position the left flank.

Mark and Traore had one or two touches as the tempo edged out and the game drew to a close. Arsenal controlled the ball towards the end of the game, with a flowing passing move involving Randall, Gilberto, Denilson, and Walcott. Arsenal first goalscorer then toe poked the ball through to Randall who slotted beyond the goalkeeper, only for the referee to give it as offside. It would have been the perfect reward on his Premiership debut.

With minutes left the Gunners searched for another goal, Walcott and Denilson played a neat 1-2 who fed Adebayor. Then Randall was brought into the play in midfield, and was not daunted by the atmosphere and struck a powerful drive which Marton Fulop grabbed.

Lukasz Fabianski was particularly impressive, he was sharp of his line and made several decent stops to deny Sunderland an equaliser. But the referee blew for full time.

An impressive 9 minutes plus three minutes of injury time for Traore and Randall, with the latter showing signs he could be a real prospect for the club. In other news Jay Simpson looks set to leave the club during the summer transfer window.

Article By – J.Sanderson

46 thoughts on “First Team Watch – Randall Features Against Sunderland

  • May 11, 2008 at 4:11 pm
    Permalink

    Im very sad because of Jay. He shuold have played

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 4:22 pm
    Permalink

    could randall play central with febregas in your opinion?

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 4:27 pm
    Permalink

    Randall seems good we gotta keep him but it’s a shame about Jay Simpson though, we didn’t even get to see the guy play for goodness sake. Arsene come on man what’s all that about?!
    If Simpson leaves then surely that spells the end for Eboue, this guy is one of the worst Arsenal footballers in history!

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 4:29 pm
    Permalink

    Where would jay go? and do you thnk mark will play more regularly in the prem next season? sounds like he had a decent game… gna try wtch a repeat if possible…

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 4:51 pm
    Permalink

    I know Theo’s a good player but i think even he would struggle to play both right and left wing (think you might have made a mistake in your team formation ;)

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 4:53 pm
    Permalink

    sanderson u dont know what ur on about who said simpsons gonna leave ur just saying all of this because wenger never mentioned simpson.so what,he never mentioned fonte or t.cruise,bartley and loads of other players

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 4:54 pm
    Permalink

    They didn’t show the game here in America. I’m really glad that Walcott got a goal, that should really boost his confidence. He finished the campaign with 4 league goals, which is more than Hleb’s average over the 3 years he has been with us. I can’t wait for next season now, thankfully we have the EC to make the wait better.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 5:00 pm
    Permalink

    Yes but the diffrence is that Fonte Cruise and Bartley are all 17/18 and still have time. Where as with Simpson he is 20 and if he was goign to be involved he would of been mentioned.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 5:01 pm
    Permalink

    do anyone have any info on the arsenal cup in america and which teams were at the atlanta cup.im tearing my hair out to find out plz tell me anyone

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 5:04 pm
    Permalink

    dis is for jonty,randall barazite nordtviet are all 17/18 but they were mentioned and look at ian wright he starterd football really late

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 5:04 pm
    Permalink

    yeah it sucks that it was broadcasted here in NA. any ideas where we can watch the highlights? cant wait for next season! too bad abt jay tho. esp. since he won player of the year

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 5:06 pm
    Permalink

    is there any info on a match that is meant to take place as a pre season friendly against the sundowns.they r a team from south africa

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 5:11 pm
    Permalink

    WTF WHAT DOES SIMPSON AV 2 DO

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 5:23 pm
    Permalink

    Wenger recently said you have to play in the Championship at least to play games with the Arsenal senior side. Simpson didn’t play in the Championship…

    That could be it but I really think he should’ve been given a chance. He looks like a quality prospect.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 5:38 pm
    Permalink

    OK seriously, can people stop losing it over Simpson? Do you really think you are better at evaluing talent then Wenger? I’m sure the majority of people are basing their opinion of Simpson on his PFA award. It was for division 1 you realise? Yeah its great and you couldn’t ask for more in the circumstances, but since when has being the best player in division 1 been a good indicator of being Arsenal class?? I looked up the previous winners, as far as I can tell only 2 players have even played in the prem, Earnshaw and Zamora, neither of which you’d want anywhere near our squad. In fact the only other player I’d even heard of was Billy Sharp, the winner the year before Simpson who was only a year older when he won it than Simpson is now. Anyone think we should of picked up Sharp last year? Didn’t think so. By the way he isn’t exactly lighting up the championship this year so its probably just as well we didn’t pick him up. My point isn’t to devalue Simpsons achievement it is merely to put it into perspective. ANY player who wants to have any sort of career here better hope they would be at least one of the best in division 1, and even if they are the best, it in no way means they are good enough to play here.

    In my opinion Simpson was no more deserving than any of the youngsters that were selected, and it seems Wenger would agree.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 5:50 pm
    Permalink

    Wenger rates Eboue over Simpson, so now Jay will leave. QPR are apparently very keen on his services.

    Its disapointing of course, but lets look to the future.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 6:01 pm
    Permalink

    Well Curtis Davies won it and to my knowledge wenger wanted to sign him,Something is wrong at arsenal please explain to me players like GILES SUNU AND FONTE get a pro deal in there first year at the club while Jay had to wait till he was 18 and hes been there since he was eight ,ARSENAL SENT HIM 2 MILLWALL HE DONE EVERYTHING THERE WAS 2 BE DONE WITH A CRAP CLUB.WHY SEND him out if you feel it wont benefit him enough to play in a game which has nothing riding onit.EXPLAIN againsts Inter in the emirates cup giles sunu was selected in the squad and even then Simpson was not called in they then turned to Rhys Murphy,SO THIS SHOWS SOMETHING IS WRONG

    ITS REMINDS ME OF A CERTAIN ANDY COLES STORY.

    IF SOMEONE CAN GIVE ME A VALID REASON WHY HE WERNT AT LEAST ON THE BENCH PLEASE TELL ME .WHAT THE POINT OF HAVING A ACADEMY IF WONT GIVE YOUR PLAYERS A CHANCE ESPECIALLY ONE THAT BEEN VOTED PFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN LEAGUE ON AT 19 ITS NOT HES FAULT WENGER HAS NOT GIVEN HIM A OPPURTUNITY

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 6:04 pm
    Permalink

    look at fraizer campbell, 15 goals in the championship this season, same age as Simpson, i know some people will also say that Jay has been playing on the right wing, which is not his favoured position and still got 8 goals, i fully accept that viewpoint

    When Bendtner was at brum he scored 11 goals, if Simpson scored more than Bendtner in a lower league then i feel that he would have got a seeing to, i have also heard that he was lucky to beat Beckford to win league 1 player of the year

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 6:08 pm
    Permalink

    I say give Simpson on loan to a Championship club (Premiership if possible) and if he does well there over the four months or so, bring him back for the carling cup. The problem seems to be that n o Championship club wants him because Wenger would’ve surely tried to get him into a team in a higher league. Not to mention Millwall were the ones who got him and they’re low level League 1.

    “Wenger rates Eboue over Simpson, so now Jay will leave”, sounds like Jay’s leaving simply because Eboue’s in front of him and so he’s ashamed of that:).

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 6:11 pm
    Permalink

    I recall Paul Jewell saying he would look into taking some Arsenal youngsters on loan next season, any chance Jay going there for the first half of next season?

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 6:13 pm
    Permalink

    Actually Bendtner scored 13 goals for Birmingham last year deepak, but some good points.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 6:17 pm
    Permalink

    WELL GIBBS N RANDALL WENT CHAMPIONSHIOP and got hardly no playing time WHAT A ACHIEVEMENT.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 6:19 pm
    Permalink

    Randall was injured alot, and Gibbs made 6 starts in 3 months, so not bad.

    Barazite is a biggest and younger prospect, so Wenger will focus on him.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 6:28 pm
    Permalink

    The reason Simpson was not on the bench was because Wenger puts Randall, Gibbs and Barazite in front of him. I think people are getting too emotional because he is a local kid. Does anybody of you want Jay to slow down the progress of Barazite e.g.? The best ones play, and obviously Wenger does not think Simpson is good enough.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 6:36 pm
    Permalink

    Why play Eboue in this game when you have Barazite, Randall, Gibbs, Simpson and Traore all with something to prove??????
    Clichy could have been rested too.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 6:37 pm
    Permalink

    Stone, i think you should take this into account

    Gibbs (Midfielder) was ill and late on replaced by Nordtveit (Defender), im my eyes, Wenger was going to put Gibbs on the bench as an attacking option, why would he not replace him with another attacking option (Simpson) if Gibbs were to pull out?

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 6:59 pm
    Permalink

    What happend to Gibbs i thought he travelled and I noticed he wasn’t on the bench.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 7:06 pm
    Permalink

    well someone explain this

    Jay GOT HIS PRO DEAL FAIR ENUFF

    adebayor gets injured early on against WBA .Simpson and Traore on the bench brings on Traore.

    then Liverpool ARSENAL 6 – 3 Randall Lansbury Connolly Diaby thats the bench.There was adebayor who was injured but yet no Jay in the squad , lansbury was there even yet no 1 had seen him play and hard not deserved his chance

    Arsenal VS Ajax Dennis Bergkamp game .V.V.D Berg was included ahead of Jay and everyone knows hes crap

    Emirates Cup . G.SUNU RHYS MURPHY were all selected ahead of him so this show something is rong even though SUNU had been in the country a matter of weeks

    WELL SOMEONE EXPLAIN AND I DONT WANT 2 HEAR HES NOT GOOD ENOUGH CUZ HE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GIVEN A PRO DEAL OR SENT ON LOAN.AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SAID HE WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH for that championship he came back from the world youth cup in malaysia once the season has started so he had no time to discuss with clubs and he had offers in january and decided to stay AT MILLWALL to help stay clear from relegation

    SOMEONE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THEN

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 7:32 pm
    Permalink

    Anthony Stoke remember him. He had a great season in SPL. He was sold to Sunderland without getting a chance to play for us and some fans were questioning AW. Was AW wrong no, the boy has been useless since.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 8:12 pm
    Permalink

    Its simple Gooner147. Wenger doesnt rate Simpson, i trust his opinion on young players, like Shingo said.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 8:18 pm
    Permalink

    Curties Davies won the football league player of the year award I believe, he didn’t win the pfa fans award which is the one Simpson won. Beckford won that award this year. Curties Davies is a good player, but my point wasn’t that a player that wins it can never be good enough for Arsenal, my point was that just because a player has won it, it doesn’t automatically mean they are good enough. HUGE difference. Billy Sharp is an excellent example. He won both awards last year aged 20, not much older than Simpson. Look at the season he had this year in the championship. Apparently his 2 league 1 player of the year awards didn’t count for much even in the championship.

    If Beckford wins both awards like many people think he should have, we’re not having this conversation. Let me ask you this, if Beckford was available on a free would you want him?

    Other people have addressed Randall and Gibbs loans, I’d just like to add a couple of points. Apparently another problem, particulary with Randall, is their play was too good. I know that sounds strange, but think about it. These too have trained with the Arsenal first team for the best part of 2 seasons, their passing and movement style has to be in tune with the best footballing side in europe, its not that much of a stretch to think they might be completely out of sink with players at Norwich and Burnley (with the greatest respect). Remember they were chucked into settled squads over half way through the season, and were only there a couple of months, thats not a great amount of time to settle and adapt. Also theres a reason those 2 have been training with the first team that long, thats why they deserve a chance.

    To answer the post above, Simpson is good enough to get a contract and therefore a chance at his dream club. However that doesn’t mean hes better than any of the players you mention. Randall, Lansbury, Traore and Diaby (obviously) are considered better than him, thats why they were on the bench for those games, and thats why Traore was bought on and not Simpson when Adebayor got injured. I think you’re really grasping at straws when you complain about the bench at the emirates cup, but i’ll answer it anyway. Sunu had just been brought in for £2m, they obviously think reasonably high of him, and Murphy is a pretty good Player too, maybe they like his potential more. Or maybe Simpson was already on his way to Millwall then. As far as I’m aware only you really care about that. To address why they bothered giving him a contract at all if they’re not going to play him, well the answer to that is simple too. There are a lot of players under contract at the club, many of whom never get a look in. They must see something in him to keep him around, that doesnt mean they have to play him, its ludicrous to suggest it does.

    You obviously like Simpson a lot, presumably you rate him higher than all the players just mentioned too. If your opinion is based on more than the award I respect that. I like the player too. However if its based mainly on the award, I really think you should gain some perspective on what that award means in terms of Arsenal quality.

    Please lose the caps lock by the way.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 8:24 pm
    Permalink

    fair enough but send him away for a year he surely deserves to play a in a game hich has nothing riding onit do u not agree ?

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 8:25 pm
    Permalink

    yes, i wrote a post about the fact he deserves a chance. He has not got it, and will now move on.

    Dissapointing, but plently more prospect.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 8:26 pm
    Permalink

    wow, sorry for the long post again!

    P.S. thats a great example seabass, and in my opinion what Stokes acheived in the SPL trumps Simpson too.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 8:26 pm
    Permalink

    Yes he is a fan, loyal sevant and he would have injoyed playing that game even if it was the only one he would play in

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 8:45 pm
    Permalink

    Wenger sees Jay everyday in training while all we know about him is that he won an award in League One and have watched him on Youtube once or twice. Wenger is one of the worlds greatest talentdevelopers while we sit on the Internet just because we are crap on the pitch and are jealous on Wenger and his fantastic brain.

    Just saying.

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 8:51 pm
    Permalink

    Well said mrjustice but wenger goes home and watches vidieos and analaysises of football to learn how his team are doing, how to beat teams and who to sign so dont dis us sitting on the internet

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 9:21 pm
    Permalink

    Wenger won’t be ignoring simpson because of a grudge or anything, why do you think he got sent to league 1 when gibbs and randall were sent to champ sides.
    As for Lansbury, he must have impressed in training as he hasn’t shown anything yet on the pitch

    Reply
  • May 11, 2008 at 11:29 pm
    Permalink

    I don’t why all the focus is only on Simpson,his case is very easy we now have Rosciky, Hleb, Vela, the new creative player that Wenger mentioned before, so these are 4 wingers, and if the case requires more we have Gibbs and Wilshere, so where shall Simpson play next season? Wenger knows that if he played it will be harder to get rid of him next season, so he opted to act as if he is not here, and in the wingers above I didn’t mention Eboue, hoping that Wenger finally get rid of him.
    I was very impressed and surprised by Randall, I don’t know who will replace who, but it could be that he, Henry Lansbury and Merida will have a big fight with Diaby, Gilberto and Denison, and that is purely based on the skills of theses players, it will be a healthy competition and the best should win his place, not remain on the bench like the case of Eboue playing shit and still have a place in the first team.
    For me I went crazy with the formation that Wenger choose to play,I couldn’t understand from what he was afraid?
    If some one can answer my questions maybe I will calm a little.
    1) why did Djourou play as a Right back when we have Eboue?
    2) why did Eboue play as a right winger when we have Walcot and Randal?
    3) why Adebayore played the whole match?
    4) why Traore replaced Bendtner and not Barazati?
    5) what message could Wenger have send by pulling Bendtner out and leaving Adebayore, despite his negative influence on the team especially Walcot?
    Actually I was very happy that Walcot stood like a man and wasn’t afraid to do what he wants on the pitch, he acted like a forward who usually tend play by him self a little and it worked wonders for him that Adebayore was so jealous and went crazy with pointing his hands left and right.
    Adebayore is acting like he is the star of the team and should always have the ball to score, I really rate every one of our forwards above him, even the commentator was attacking Adebayore for his treatment of walcot, and it reminded me of how Henry treated Reyes before he left, luckily Walcot is form England and can’t be scared by another player especially if he thinks that he is better than him.
    Wenger must really have wanted a result and opted for experience.
    He is still the Boss and I respect his decisions, but I felt that we could have played so much better if he wasn’t stubborn with his selection.
    I am really excited for next season, just by mentioning the names of Vela, Gibbs, Randal, Lansbury, Merida, Traore, barazati, Song, Nordtveit and Fabianski along with two other signings and that would count like at lest 6 new players to the team, that could solve our injuries problems and replace our shit players such as Adebayore, Eboue, Senderos, Djourou.
    sorry for the long post but I was very frustrated and excited at the same time, so take it easy on me.

    Reply
  • May 12, 2008 at 12:25 am
    Permalink

    jeez reyes you expect me to read that post, are you trying to bore me?

    (I hope people realise I’m joking, check out my bad boy a bit above)

    Good post mate, I didn’t see the game today but from what I’ve seen before Randall is a classy player. Its surprising he hasn’t got more international recognition. Its funny you make the Ade Henry comparision. Watching the Everton game he was just wandering around a lot, complaining about the standard of others play and trying flicks everytime the ball came to him even though none of them worked. My exact thoughts then were “its like having Henry back (except obviously Henrys a lot better than Ade)”.

    I think Wenger really wanted to win the game and get to 83 points, I assume thats why he left in some experience to help with all the youngsters.
    1)I think its just a case of wanting to get Djourou in the game, I also think Wenger wanted to try him at RB again to see if hes comfortable there, because if he is that gives him more on the bench with that versatility. Also there may be a little bit of no longer trusting Hoyte at RB, or Hoyte being alowed to leave to get regular football, buts thats pure speculation. Part of me is hoping he makes Eboue redundant! (the other parts are more realistic)
    2)I wouldnt of played him! Just to play devils advocate though, the theory could be that if Eboue is EVER going to develop into a winger, he needs games to do so.
    3)I don’t know, didn’t see the game but unless Bendtner was playing badly I don’t get it. Especially considering the African qualifiers.
    4)Traore is a fringe first team player already and is ahead of Barazite in that respect, I’m not suprised he choose Traore, I’m more suprised Traore didn’t start with Clichy playing as many games as he has and going to the euros. With the rest of the backline as it was though it would of been pretty inexperienced to say the least! Also as it was only 1-0 you can maybe look at wanting to win the game still for this too.
    5)again don’t know see answer to 3

    Hope that helps calm you a little mate so you can concentrate on being exited!

    Reply
  • May 12, 2008 at 12:38 am
    Permalink

    any time i saw simpson play for the reserves he looked poor even tho he was one of the more experienced players. if he was good enough he’d have gotten a chance by now. randall was impressive today. not sure if he’ll get the opportunity at arsenal though he could be another bentley and be a success at a smaller club first before moving back to the top level

    Reply
  • May 12, 2008 at 8:35 am
    Permalink

    I felt sorry for Randall as he should of had a goal on debut as i watchd the game and the replays showed he wasnt offside how annoying for the young guy :@

    Reply
  • May 12, 2008 at 11:44 am
    Permalink

    Bentley could have made it maybe if he had stuck to it. Randall isn’t as outspoken as bentley was. Hopefully he will learn from Bentley and Pennant, that he should get his head down and work. Maybe a loan to Fulham next season would serve him well

    Reply
  • May 12, 2008 at 4:02 pm
    Permalink

    plz can someone answer my questions about which teams were in the atlanta cup and is there an arsenal cup in america and arsenal meant to play that south afrikan team the sundowns for the pre season friendly

    Reply
  • May 12, 2008 at 4:09 pm
    Permalink

    Just watched the game and was very impressed with Randall, his goal should have stood… he was onside, i guess thats just how things are. I really hope he stays and fights for his place and doesnt pull a wuss manouver and piss off to some crap team! He actually caught my attention unlike Denilson, hes gone backwards this season and really doubt he will ever become a regular at Arsenal. In my humble opionion i think Randall is all round better than him, i know ive only seen him twice but hes really impressed me both times, Randall should hopefully become a regular in the CC next seaosn along with Barazite, Merida etc..

    In the next few season it will be a fight between Randall, Merida, Diaby etc and i have a feeling it will be one of the younger players to take that place, would of course like to see Cesc alongside Mark/Merida. either one of them can easily overtake Diaby or Denilson.

    Exciting times ahead, really looking forward to next season and the younger players comming through!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *