Contrasting conditions of both blistering sunshine yet torrential rain greeted Arsenal as they wrapped up their pre-season against Non-League Boreham Wood. Neil Banfield’s Reserves are unbeaten over the summer and are yet to concede throughout their preparations.
Banfield was able to call upon first team stopper Vito Mannone for the clash, but the squad had a strong youth feel. Fran Mérida returned to training only 10 days ago and started in the heart of midfield, alongside Dunne, Barazite and Lansbury.
Rui Fonte has had a solid pre-season and would partner captain Jay Simpson in attack. Goals were certainly on the cards.
Mannone
Rodgers – Nordtveit – G.Hoyte – Ogogo
Lansbury – Dunne – Mérida – Barazite
Fonte – Simpson (c)
Subs – Szczesny, Steer, Bartley, Frimpong, Watt Murphy
Arsenal 4-0 Boreham Wood – Report
The Arsenal players shared a joke in the tunnel ahead of kick off and appeared to be composed and excited with the new season approching fast.
Right from the off the visitors went for jugular, but found Boreham Wood to be resiliant. Nordtveit’s long ball picked out Barazite on the left, he tricked inside before feeding Dunne, James slipped on the turf and Boreham Wood turned over the ball. Solid defending from Gavin Hoyte helped snuff out the attack, but the hosts began in an offensive and confident manner.
Arsenal were dominating possession in the early stages and began to pass and probe. Mérida showed some brilliant touches, but after just 10 days of training, looked a little rusty.
Rodgers would then bring the ball into midfield before picking out Fran, he played a stunning reverse pass for Lansbury to race down the flank and whip a deep cross – which was deflected away.
Banfield had clearly instructed his side to use the width, with Henri Lansbury begging with several dangerous crosses. However, the neat passing would be ended as Mérida worked an angle and smashed a stinging drive to win a corner.
The shoot-on-site policy continued with Barazite and Lansbury both trying their luck, and once more some shabby keeping nearly offered the chance for a tap in. Dunne and Rodgers physical elements saw Arsenal boss the right hand the side, and after Dunne snatched the ball through to Simpson, Lansbury was able to cut inside and shoot.
With 20 minutes on the clock corner number four would arrive, Mérida’s sliding tackle produced Barazite the chance to feed Simpson, allowing the former Millwall forward the chance to hit a powerful shot, which was tipped behind.
Fran Mérida may have only been in training for a matter of days, but his confidence in shooting was their for all to see. Two quickfire efforts would nearly work the opener, first a deflected chance before a glove stinger tipped away.
The Gunners would then win a free-kick is a perfect angle, after Lansbury’s trickery saw him kicked down. Mérida pushed himself to the front of the Que, and curled a low drive towards the bottom corner, but nobody managed to get a decisive flick.
With nearly half an hour gone at Meadow Park, the goal would eventually arrive.
Fonte pushed the giant Boreham Wood defender off the ball on the edge of the box, and after finding nobody free to pass, he smashed a low drive neatly in the corner to hand Arsenal the lead. Sloppy from the hosts but the goal had been coming for some time.
Goal – Rui Fonte (27)
It seemed after the first strike went in the visitors would find their flow. Lansbury collected Barazite’s short corner, before elegantly dancing into the area, but his pull back missed the arriving Simpson.
Arsenal were comfortable as half-time approached, but Havard Nordtveit nearly had a shocker to let Boreham Wood back into it. Mannone played a simple pass to the Norwegian, and the 18 year old tried to be clever and dance beyond the attacker, only to be barged off the ball. Luckily James Dunne spotted the danger and mopped up.
Arsène Wenger will have been no doubt watching on, and the second and crucial goal would be one he would have loved. A swift break saw Fonte, Simpson and Mérida combine, before Lansbury was picked out down the right. He cut in field before playing a 1-2 with Fonte, Rui sneaked in to the area and was on hand to side foot Henri’s pull across after getting around the back. A tidy finish from the Portuguese talent who looked bright and aware.
Goal – Rui Fonte – (43)
Fonte’s second would be the final action of a confidence building first-half.
Half Time – Arsenal 2-0 Boreham Wood
Arsenal would be looking to press home their dominance during the second period, but with changes looming for both sides, the flow would surely be disrupted.
Wojciech Szczesny replaced Vito Mannone for the second-half between the sticks, but it would be opposite number who would be worked next.
Nacer Barazite collected possession in the centre of the park, he stepped on the gas bursting inside and as Boreham Wood backed off, the Dutchman coolly slipped it back for Simpson to drill home from 20 yards.
Goal – Jay Simpson (51)
60 seconds after his stunning strike Jay Simpson was replaced in a hat-trick of substitutions.
Sanchez Watt > Jay Simpson
Emmanuel Frimpong > Fran Merida
Kyle Bartley > Gavin Hoyte
Nacer Barazite would now push up front with two goal hero Fonte, Watt would tuck in on the left wing. Stand in skipper James Dunne would now be allowed to push on, he nearly found the fourth with a curling volley. With an hour gone a further two adjustments were made by Neil Banfield.
Rene Steer > Henri Lansbury
Nacer Barazite > Rhys Murphy
With the manager now having played his complete deck, the following side would now complete the fixture.
Szczesny
Rodgers – Bartley – Nordtveit – Steer
Dunne (c) – Frimpong – Ogogo – Watt
Murphy – Fonte
Newly signed professional Rhys Murphy was working hard for the cause, and he nearly turned away after a clipped ball from Rodgers. Murphy would then have two chances in 30 seconds, firstly chipping a shot although he was offside, but then had a sharp volley well saved.
Rui Fonte had ran his socks off all night, and as on trial keeper Zac Barrett took a back-pass, Fonte darted quickly towards him charging down the kick. The re-bound profited for Murphy who slotted home with a lovely right footed finish.
Goal – Rhys Murphy (64)
Frimpong’s passing was far from convincing in a spell which saw Boreham work their way back into it. The goal didn’t arrive, but Szczesny would be worked on three occasions.
The final 15 minutes was all about re-establishing the previous dominance shown in the first-half. Fonte would go close to getting his hat-trick after some silky skills from Watt, but 4-0 seemed rather fair.
Lewis Donavon smashed the bar with a glancing header, and then Szczesny tipped the re-bound away. The composure had disappeared from the Gunners play, but the threat on the break was still very real.
But it would finish as we predicted in our Match Preview, 4-0. A solid work out for the boys who at times played some devastating football, and will have no doubt taken confidence from the performance.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Fonte was very good, needs to put in that kind of performance every week if he wants to make it, not sayin he has to score 2 every week mind (although i wont complain if he does), just saying he showed great work rate and desire today, which he often lacks.
Nice to see Murphy and Simpson on the scoresheet aswell, good performance from them and Barazite. Overall very impressive, not a bad performance from any1 in my opinion.
Missed the match, anywhere I can see the highlights already?!!
Who was man of the match?!! (Fonte?)
can i please just ask where luke freeman is?
I think the problem with fonte was when he first came on he was playin with the under 18s and scoring goals for fun but when he tried to play for the reserves he got to physical for him. I think if we loaned him to a championship club he would be brilliant
i dunno moushin in my opinion I wil say Rodgers , Barazite Simpson Fonte Dunne Were AMAZING
that was a good win, quite easy to be honest…I must say James Dunne was good tonight and Rui Fonte showed good determanation ofF the ball for Rhys Murphys goal.
stevo – He has been away with England and is still only 16. He will play for the Under 18’s this season.
James Dunne was brilliant today he has clearly been working hard in pre-season, he now looks composed on the ball but still rugged.
Great game. Watched it on Arsenal TV via the great Internet.
did henri lansbury play tonight
cheers j.sanderson. I also just saw that wilshere has been named in a squad for an england u17 tournament. But will he still be playing with his 1st team commitments?
the kids were amazing. gd 2 see Merida playing. he was unlucky not to score.
Fran was brilliant this evening, lacking some fitness but still brilliant.
Stevo – thanks mate, i would doubt it that he would travel.
Hi Jamie,
Do you think Rui Fonte can be more than a Reserve player at Arsenal for the futur??
He did well today.
sorry jamie i mean’t how did henri lansbury play tonight
Why wasn’t Nordtveit captain after Simpson went off?
I’m assuming it’s ‘cos Dunne was nearby when Simpson was being substituted.
It was quite a good game, because Borehamwood was not a opponent on our level!!
Fran was short in train, but played well, only impressive thing for me was the great finish from Jay Simpson to gave us a third. Also i think Abu Ogogo made a great performance as left back!!
what was fonte’s second goal like was it quality
J, how do you think Wenger sees Fonte?
I just have this gut feeling that if we release Fonte now or in the near future like many are suggesting, we will end up regretting the decision. His progress hasn’t been so quick, compared to someone like Vela for example, but the talent is certainly there. Some strikers only really blossom when they get to age 22-23, Adebayor for example. I can’t really see Fonte being released from Arsenal and then us never hearing about him again.
Official site says Rui Fonte hit a hat-trick?
Blackstock, fortunately Arsene is more patient than some Arsenal fans, and he will not let promising players go lightly.
Fonte first goal was placed , second goal was a tap , simpson had a 20 yard drive , and murphy placed the ball home from just ouside the box ,
Arsenal.com wrote fonte got a hat trick so dumb
I don’t rate Fonte he will never see the 1st team. Rhys Murphy is more talented imo, hopefully he’s fit and can be 1st choice in the reserves this term.
apparently merida’s on his way back to sociedad but the deal is being delayed because they want the loan to have a view to a permanent deal whereas we obviously don’t!
Harry I would highly doubt that because surely Merida would have more ambition than playing for a Segunda team and Sociedad would realise that. They’d practically be taking the piss if they tried that and it’d mean they might get fewer loanees in the future.
Nice win. But i’m worried with the first team. The growing injury list is a cause for concern. Esp cesc out for 2 games
Fabregas’ Dad: That was exactly what I thought. Was just writing what i had read on setanta. I didn’t say it was true. Just passing on the never ending rumour mill!
e. woode, how can you say that? Fonte and Murphy both have their strengths so I don’t see how you can be so quick to decide who will make it. A lot depends on where the opportunities lie and what type of player we are looking for at the time they might be ready for the step up.
Harry, I hope we are not prepared to let Merida go as he looks like a very promising prospect. If Real Sociedad guarantee to play him regularly, he can only benefit from another loan spell, like Simpson has, but I really see a future for him at Arsenal.
James Dunne is quality. He doesn’t get much hype like some of the other players, but his workrate his absolutely phenomenal. He’s very versatile and plays with no fear. I hope he makes our first team. I think he’s better than Coequillen.
you lot worry me about your football knowledge … no mention of lansbury.. he was instrumental tonight… you only ever want to slag him off… he was class tonight and hopefully getting back to his best
Ive always been a fan of Dunne is its nice to see hes getting some regocnition. J is right, hes rugged. But he has superb drive and physically hes perfect, good strength, good pace, good height and good in the air not to mention hes got a super powered shot. Technically and mentally (by mentally i meen tactics and keeping control of his temper) he needs to improve, but technically he looks like hes been making improvements, and although he nearly lost it at one point today, he managed to avoid getting aggressivly physical or doin anythin else dumb that would get him a straight red.
I think he’ll become a premiership quality player, he actually reminds me a bit of Sidwell, i duno if he’ll make it here thou.
Landsbury was also good, still think hes sub-performing in terms of his own standards, but that only tells u what u great player he is. Better in the middle but he did very well out wide tonight, best performance ive seen from him pre-season in my opinion. Hopefully hes getting back to his best.
Excellent performance, lost a bit understandably after all the substitutions. Dunne, Barazite, Merida very impressive. Judging by the ridiculous lack of depth in our first team squad (don’t get me started……) they could get more first team games!
I think Lansbury started pretty quietly but after that he was running the place. The once that surprised me though were Murphy and Dunne. Dunne was much much better than I would have hoped, although his very poor technique rule him out as a future Arsenal player. I don´t think he is quite good enough for the EPL either, but championship I think.
Murphy is a great striker and I have a renewed faith in him. I am starting to feel that he might have the best chance of making it here of all the reserves strikers. He got skills with the ball, outstanding finishing and is a really clever player. Barazite on the other hand did not impress me. He sure is fast and strong and can skip past players easily, but his football brain is not good enough. I see Wilshere and I think he is already much better than Nacer. Sure I am not writing him off but he tends to go for it too much and doesn´t often get others involved. His pass to Lansbury for the second goal was brilliant and that´s what he can do, but his teamwork needs to improve. He passes the ball but he usually goes past one or two players first.
Fonte did good but I think many here are reading two much into his two goals. He is a clever forward and often does things that his teammates benefit from, those invisible things. I don´t see much future for him here but who knows. If he bulks up he could turn out to be a revelation.
Nordveit and Hoyte did well as a pair, most of the time. They are both pretty far from being ready for the first team though, Nordveit close though. The Norwegian would probably be better in our defence than the Toure-Gallas partnership.
The Pole in the goal (I will learn to spell his name next season when he gets promoted over Mannone) was really good. He did everything so well and was really assuring. I think he is a much better talent than Mannone.
Ogogo barely touched the ball (isn´t he the one everybody say is the funniest guy at London Colney). Steer was invisible. I was dissapointed with Watt. He looked so nervous and I thought he didn´t do very well. He does look like a 13 year old though.
So are everybody ready for Ramsey and Denilson together and Djourou to partner Gallas tomorrow? Eboue on the right and Walcott on the left is more worrisome, I think.
I can never see Arsenal letter Fran go. We all know his talent and his great potential. I am sure if we can all sure it, then obviously Wenger can as well and would never let a good talent go, especially at his age. Fran honestly would have played little to no time in the first team (although with the injury list growing, who knows, he might as well stay) and the reserves are going to cut it anymore. I think this loan spell is by far the best choice for him to make and I think he knows as well as Wenger that he isn’t going to be sold.
Didnt read my last post over before i submitted it..there are a few type-os…heres what i mean.
I can never see Arsenal letter Fran go. We all know his talent and his great potential. I am sure if we can all see it, then obviously Wenger can as well. Besides, he would never let a good talent go, especially at his age. Fran honestly would have played little to no time in the first team (although with the injury list growing, who knows, he might as well stay) and the reserves aren’t going to cut it anymore. I think this loan spell is by far the best choice for him to make and I think he knows as well as Wenger that he isn’t going to be sold.
why was this game not telecasted?
wow. great article. and very accurate prediction j. arsenal 4 boreham 0.
i kno this aint the place to talk about our first team….but im worried…
eboue,ramsey,denilson,walcott in midfield
lacks creatvity….
walcott’s going to be running and losing the ball as he cant play on the left
eboue is going to be the same (invisible)
ramsey i really dont kno…but i doubt he will do anything special, hes only 17
denilson is our only star in midfield….
ARSENE U NEED TO DO SOMETHING, WE SHOULD’NT BE HAVING A INJURY CRISIS ALREADYYYY….
ITS GOING TO BE THE SAME OLD STORY FOR ARSENE DIS SEASON…
J, i just wanna inform u that fonte sored the first 2 goals, and simpsom and rhys murphy added the second half goals.The arsenal website says fonte scored a hattrick; which is wrong.
FAO Storey – nice comment about Murphy and the overrated Barazite. Mind you I haven’t seen the tape of the game yet.I’m hoping he looks back to what he was before he left school.
Pingback: Top Posts « WordPress.com
Great Post. Keep up the good work.
Pingback: Top Posts English « ابرلینک
Hey! Great stuff. +1 tnks :) Visit my blog too.