First Team Watch – Arsenal 1-1 Szombathelyi. H

Although the majority of Arsenal’s first team returned to training this week, Arsène Wenger kept faith in a young side to take on Hungarian outfit Szombathelyi Haladás. Gael Clichy was once more the captain, and would have to marshal 16 year old Jack Wilshere who was granted an unlikely start.

Justin Hoyte partnered his brother at centre back, with Carlos Vela making his debut alongside Nicklas Bendtner. The bench was made up of Reserve team regulars, with Francis Coquelin and Jay Simpson the notable names.

Almunia
Sagna – J.Hoyte – G.Hoyte – Clichy
Wilshere – Denilson – Ramsey – Walcott
Bendtner – Vela

Subs – Mannone – Traore – Randall – Lansbury – Coquelin – Simpson

Szombathelyi Haladás 1-1 Arsenal – Match Report

After an attacking start from Szombathelyi, Arsenal stepped up and moved the ball fluently between the midfield. Denilson, Walcott and Ramsey all combined to slip Vela in, but he was bullied out of possession by the powerful Hungarian full back.

Wilshere was hugging the left hand touchline, and although he is only 16, drew the tackle expertly for an early free-kick. Nicklas Bendtner had a poor game against Barnet, but clearly wanted to put that behind him this evening. He raced down the left flank before floating the ball into area for an un-marked Vela. He chested his effort back to Denilson who rattled his effort of the cross bar.

Arsenal were beginning to find their passing range, but after some neat touches from Ramsey and Wilshere, Bendtner miss-controlled and Szombathelyi pounced to clear. Denilson would then snap the ball back and feed Ramsey on the right, his short cross saw Vela back-heel for Walcott to toe poke at the goalkeeper. A series of fantastic chances not taken by the Gunners.

Denilson and Ramsey were starting to run the midfield for the visitors, and the Welsh starlet won the first corner of the game with a curling drive. Gavin Hoyte had began in a poor manner, and the 18 year old allowed the hosts to trouble Almunia on two consecutive occasions. Wilshere and Denilson then combined with a short corner, which nearly saw Vela flick home from close range.

Szombathelyi would force a series of attacks at the youngster Hoyte, as they sensed Gavin could be the weak link in the Arsenal defense. Ramsey mopped up in front of the back-line, and looked assured and confident as a holding midfielder.

Bendtner was slowly becoming the brightest player on the pitch, with his direct and physical running power seeing him skip over three challenges, before Gael Clichy nearly side footed home on the left hand side. Full credit to Carlos Vela who spotted the Frenchman absence from defense and filled in.

As previously mentioned, the Hoyte brothers had began in a poor manner, and after a flowing passing move, the ball was lobbed behind Justin Hoyte for Krisztian Kensesei to race forward and chip over the advancing Almunia. Gavin Hoyte thought he had done enough to nick the ball off the line, but the referee awarded the goal to the Hungarians.

Goal – Krisztian Kensesei (24)

Arsenal were clearly furious with themselves, and quickly looked to force an instant equaliser. Vela had two excellent chances, before Wilshere’s corner found an unmarked J.Hoyte who should have done better from close range.

The frustration around the team was obvious following another foiled move, with Vela, Ramsey, Denilson and Justin Hoyte all being crowded out. Quick passing and movement was unhinging the hosts, and the Gunners came inches away after Bendtner and Vela sent Clichy 1-on-1, his low drive only found the keeper’s gloves.

A lack of concentration at key points was harming Arsenal, and after Denilson’s corner was dropped by the advancing stopper, Vela should have reacted quicker to tap home. He fell in a mess before Sagna’s cross was smashed away.

Jack Wilshere’s inexperience was showing clear signs, as he frequently drifted inside and ran into Denilson, leaving huge gaps on the left flank. Luckily Clichy was willing to patrol the position, but shared some words of advice to the 16 year old. However, he would have the next big chance, Vela and Bendtner worked well before the huge Dane crossed for Jack to volley inches over from 18 yards.

The frustration would eventually come to a close with four minutes of the half left. Clichy’s cross found Bendtner neatly control on the edge of the box, he slipped Walcott in down the right and the England International side footed home off the post.

Goal – Theo Walcott (41)

With the half coming to a close, Nicklas Bendtner was sent crashing to the floor with a careless swipe at the 19 year old, allowing Jay Simpson to go and warm up. Arsène Wenger looked worried as Nicklas received lengthy treatment.

The whistle brought to an end an interesting and often frustrating first half, the Bendtner injury seemed to be a real worry.

Half Time – Szombathelyi Haladás 1-1 Arsenal

Vito Mannone > Manuel Almunia
Mark Randall > Aaron Ramsey
Henri Lansbury > Gavin Hoyte
Armand Traore > Carlos Vela

Mannone
J.Hoyte – Sagna – Clichy – Traore
Lansbury – Denilson – Randall – Wilshere
Walcott – Bendtner

The new set of youngsters took a few touches to settle in before Traore and Wilshere released Randall who clipped inches over the bar. A promising section of passes saw Jack Wilshere crashed to the floor, before Randall’s curler forced Dániel Rózsa to make an acrobatic stop.

The European sun had now began to glisten the pitch offering scenic surroundings for Arsenal’s classy passing, as the young Gunners probed the tired Hungarians. Although it was the visitors who were in total control, the lack of pressure to press home the attacking prowess saw Szombathelyi stroll towards the hour mark.

Wenger reacted to the dip in tempo with two further substitutes in the form of Barnet hero Jay Simpson and France Under 17 International Francis Coquelin.

Francis Coquelin > Jack Wilshere (62)
Jay Simpson > Nicklas Bendtner (62)

Simpson would plow the lone furrow, but with receive regular support from Randall, Walcott and now Denilson, as Coquelin sat and protected the back four.

After Szombathelyi worked some space in the middle, Arsenal snapped the ball back and broke with pace. Coquelin found Randall with plenty of support, but the former Burnley Loanee opted to shoot and only found the stand.

Gabor Rajps found himself 25 yards out running at Bacary Sagna, but before he could create anything, Francis Coquelin came charging in and stole possession back for the Gunners. As the game descended into the final 15 minutes, the fixture had become an end-to-end encouter.

Randall’s misplaced pass allowed Péter Vörös to run at the Arsenal defence, in a game which seemed to be slipping out of either sides grasp. Coquelin was superb in midfield, and as he came thunding into a Szombathelyi defender, Simpson was sent racing clear before being clipped down.

A crowd of players gathered over the set piece, but Clichy pushed his way to the front of the que and curled a low drive which was easier stopped. The stand in skipper would cross for Simpson to try and volley, only to be snubbed out.

Full Time – Szombathelyi Haladás 1-1 Arsenal

Article By – J.Sanderson