Neil Banfield’s Reserves completed their pre-season preparations this evening with a 5-1 romp over Ryman Division one side Worthing. Goals from Henri Lansbury (2), Jay Simpson, Kieran Gibbs and Paul Rodgers wrapped up a comfortable victory.
Jack Wilshere was the surprise inclusion ahead of kick off, and started on the left hand side of a hugely exciting midfield quartet. Fran Mérida and Mark Randall offered a creative and technical influence, but would face a challenge to match up to the rugged demands of the non league outfit.
Szczesny
Rodgers – G.Hoyte (c) – Bartley – Gibbs
Lansbury – Randall – Mérida – Wilshere
Fonte – Simpson
Subs – Shea, Ogogo, Steer, Thomas, Dunne, Murphy, Watt
Following a 2-0 win over Crowborough last week, Worthing came into the fixture in good form, but were completing out classed and out played by Arsenal’s flowing football.
Although Worthing normally play in red, the Gunners retained their traditional colours and played in a traditional manner, with short -accurate a passes unhinging the hosts.
The game began at a fantastic tempo, and the opening goal only took 10 minutes in arriving. Fran Mérida’s lob over the top sent Henri Lansbury race through, he kept composed to slotted home. But a defensive mix up from a corner saw Chris O’Flaherty’s kick drift beyond everybody and into the corner.
However, Arsenal would hit back in quick fire fashion. Kyle Bartley followed Fran’s example with a ball over the top, Jay Simpson was the the grateful recipient, making it 2-1.
With barely half an hour on the clock it was 3-1, Lansbury had his second after great work from Rui Fonte, and it seemed the fixture was heading for double figures. 8 minutes later it was four, Simpson’s drive was parried by Mansfield, and quick thinking Kieran Gibbs lashed home the rebound.
Second half changes disrupted the flow late on, but shortly after the hour it was 5-1. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas worked an angle for a shot, his pile driver was again tipped away by Mansfield, and was again punished by a full back, this time Edmonton born Paul Rodgers with the effort.
A fantastic work out for Banfield boys who are still unbeaten over pre-season, and will be looking to defend their 6 game winning streak against Chelsea on Monday.
You can view a huge collection of pictures Here.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Im first to put u a comment ;)
Hey man, can u put me in your partners ??
Yep i will do it in a moment mate, working on the report.
Oh no, we’re doomed, we let Worthing score a goal, sack the manager, the players are rubbish etc etc! (I’m just joking for those who might take my comments literally!)
Will there be highlights on atvo later?
Nope. Arsenal did not broadcast the game nor Worthing.
Merida and Wilshere in the same line-up. The guy we’ve been hyping for two years and this year’s young upstart. I’d love to be a fly-on-the-wall as Wenger talks to Steve Bould about who is more talented !
who scored
Just a headline and no report?
Did you just wanna beat that other reserve player blog JS?
http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/worthing-sport/FOOTBALL-GALLERY-Worthing-v-Arsenal.4439273.jp
some pics of the game for anyone as bored as me…
For Real unlike Jays reports
any details on the scorers and assist makers. no disrespect on the report but I’m bored at work and wanted a bit of a longer read…
I might be wrong but from those pictures it seems that Simpson got 2, fonte 1 and lansbury 2
It will be updated again shortly, just to stop people like Spike from moaning :)
I believe Henri Lansbury bagged a goal.
lansbury got 2
gibbs got 1
Half of these players should be close to the first team squad.
Rodgers should be promoted now Hoyte’s gone.
Gibbs is 2nd choice LB with Traore away and Silvestre out.
Merida,Lansbury and Simpson should be utilised in first team games IMO. For some reason though I don’t think Wenger likes Simpson…
nice one J… want to add how much I like your blog, I’ve read it for a while but never commented. keep up the good work.
I think Wenger must like Simpson, as his transfer dealings this summer would surely have seen him accept the millwall offers otherwise. I also reckon Wenger must have some power of veto over the captaincy…
bigtimetopbannana
Jack Wilshere is more talented than Fran Merida and is two years younger
no way can you say jack wilshere is more talented den fran , FRAN HAS NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY
bring back limpar, the captaincy is because he is the longest serving player in the team.
I agree with james , I thin wenger dislikes simpson ,League 1 player of the year cant make bench
too many players of him thats why, he only chance of apperance in the 1st team this season is CC and may be possibly FA Cup
Nordveidt captained the reserves having been at the club about 5 minutes didn’t he? You could be right though I guess he hasn’t had much of a chance in the first team.
Neil Warnock was there tonight. Possible loan bid coming in? I remember Ashley C*le crossed the river on loan – that worked out OK. I could think of worse places for one of our youngsters to get a season under his belt.
Frank Buthcher
I agree with you mate, Wenger obviously dislikes Simpson.
Simpson should have been on the bench at Fulham since Vela was away.
Instead Gibbs got it yet Bendtner was the only forward on the bench.
And why weren’t some of the youngsters brought on against Fulham?
Jay here’s another report…
http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/worthing-sport/FOOTBALL-Arsenal-win-entertaining-friendly.4439274.jp
Actually, Gavin Hoyte was captain and if Niel Warnock was there that means one of those players will be moving to Crystal Palace on loan
How about this for an explanation of the Simpson, just an idea mind… Keeping a player of his quality in the reserves improves their chances and therefore aids the development and confidence of other youngsters. When another senior reserves player can fill the void, Simpson will be given more opportunities in the first team. He could be worth more to AFC as a whole starting and winning games for the reserves than he is bench warming for the first team.
The only draw-backs to this explanation is that the results have never been as important for the reserves/youths as the way they play and playing for the reserves midweek doesn’t mean you can’t be on the bench for the firsts. Just an idea though…
simspon bagged one, lansbury two rodgers one and gibbs one, match report here:http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/worthing-sport/FOOTBALL-Arsenal-win-entertaining-friendly.4439274.jp
Fully updated now.
Gavin Hoyte should skipper the Reserves this season after wearing the arm band over Simpson.
It may just be me but in those photos Wilshere has such a swagger on him. I’m not sure if it’s always been there or not…
Das a Par
I had this theory all along , That Wenger dislikes Simpson even with 7 subs he dont get even a bench role
Just accept it that there are 7 strikers ahead of him plus God knows how many wingers/ midefielders ahead of him as well. Arsene assesses quality and hunger not PASSPORT
Wasn’t moaning JS, just thought you were in a race with Jeorge’s blog to get a something about the match out first :D
That being the case he might as well have been flogged to Millwall with a juicy sell-on fee clause. We could have made some more money to NOT spend on anyone…
Is Coquelin still out injured?
Does a player have to be injured to get signed by us?
erm jay how well did merida play and do you think arsene is going to give him chances this year.
That team tonight could more or less be the Carling Cup team.
“7 Strikers Ahead of him”
“RVP Ade Bendenter Walcott Vela ” and Rhys Murphy and Luke Freeman
what crap are you chattin , its just because there academy products its like sayin if we bought merida now he would slot into the first team , dats just why ramsey is there now
RVP Ade walcott vela edu bendtner barazite, are you happy now, clearly you need to study maths again. I have nothing against him but i dont want anybody near the team that i support with passion if they are not good enough.
Spike – he has been fit for ages, if you bothered to check through the other articles you would see this question has been asked alot.
He is in France for a training camp, and had come through a training game last week.
and how is Barazite ahead of him when
He went to the first team training camp so in Wengers eyes hes not , chattin Bollocks mate
Spurs are linked with a move for Veloso. This stinks.
Come on AW, Veloso fits the bill and we have been reminded yet again by the board that money is not a problem.
I hope merida is in the 1st team this season..
Wenger shud give him the chance….
Maybe he can be the next Hleb.
Any truth in this De Guzman deal? I think it was pretty well said by Fizman that we can’t just put anyone in this system. I still think Wenger will buy…just a matter time now.
I am a Gooner from HK !!
Support Wenger !
Support Arsenal !
I am confused over Randall and Lansbury.
Who is the more creative central midfielder?
WHo will be that tough defensvie holding midfielder – Randall?
The De Guzman rumour was very strange since the newspapers confused him with his brother. The *good* De Guzman, whose name we’ve been linked with, is actually a right winger. The mediocre De Guzman is the defensive midfielder, and is his brother. We won’t get either.
Neither Lansbury or Randall is a holding midfielder but Lansbury is better at tackling.
Frank Butcher or what ever your name is, the only why Simpson went to Austria ahead of Barazite is because he hasnt been on loan yet, something Arsene consider a big part of development for players who have high competition in their position, unless you are Cesc or Wilshere.
Thats why eventually player G Hoyte and Lansbury will get loans moves as well probably in January till end of season or next season. So please think before you talk, look at players who have gone on loan and look at their competition at the time they left and you will soon come to your senses
Merlion96, Lansbury played DM for England U17s at the youth world cup & Arsenal U16s U18s and Randall is the more creative midfielder.
But i think Wenger is trying to turn him into full back because he already tried in pre season and i dont think he can compete with others players in midfield @ the club just like wenger is turning Gibbs in full back cuz he probably wont make it in midfield.
Also remember that Cashley and Agogo for Wimbledon was an striker in the youth team until they were turned into full back to watch the space.
SOO LANSBURY WONT MAKE IT AS A MIDFIELDER AT ARSENAL….I THOUGHT HE WAS ONE OF OUR BRIGHT TALENTS AT THAT POSITION…
WHATS HE LIKE IN RIGHT MIDFIELD THEN??….GOOD CROSSER OF THE BALL?? OR DOES HE JUST CUT IN LIKE EVERYONE ELSE
Phader, he is a decent crosser but doesnt drift enough to make himself hard to mark and not imaginative enough but because his key attributes are his stamina, tackling and okay passing range, so you can see him becoming a full back since those attributes are important for a full back.
Fonte can fu*k off, Murphy is twice as good.
I’m 57th to put in a comment,I must be some sort of God.ffs
Sounds good, strong side for this reserve season and you have to feel atleast 3 players can come out of that lot and make it at Arsenal. They really are a talented bunch of young prospects.