Huddersfield 1-2 Arsenal – Friendly – Match Report

Although Huddersfield may appear to be relative minnows compared to the sides Arsenal had faced in the last few days, the West Yorkshire outfit are the most advanced team in terms of fitness as their season begins on Saturday against Stockport, meaning the Gunners would face a competitive and physical encounter.

Whilst there is a trophy at stake this evening, Arsène Wenger named an extremely young squad for the fixture, with the average age of the being just 18. The Hoyte brothers would join skipper John Djourou and England winger Kieran Gibbs at the back, with Reserve starlets Randall, Wilshere and Lansbury over a competitive midfield.

Experience was added in the form of Carlos Vela, Theo Walcott and Lukasz Fabianski, but the side has a strong Reserve feel about it.

Fabianski
J.Hoyte – G. Hoyte – Djourou (c) – Gibbs
Lansbury – Randall – Ramsey – Wilshere
Walcott – Vela

Subs – Mannone, Bartley, E-Thomas, Fonte, Frimpong, Nordtveit, Watt, Simpson.

Arsenal’s young stars appeared relaxed and confident ahead of kick-off, with Mark Randall and Henri Lansbury looking particularly focused.

Huddersfield made the first attack of the game, but after Arsenal turned posession over, Theo Walcott went racing down the middle. His pass found Jack Wilshere on the left, who teed up Randall to curl one over.

The Gunners began in a lethal manner, imposing their passing game. Ramsey and Gibbs combined to send Vela through on the left, he took his time and saw his firm drive put behind for a corner. The set-piece was wasted, but the manner in which Wilshere’s pass tore apart the hosts defence was encouraging.

Two quick-fire attacks nearly worked the opener, as Lansbury attempted to volley Gibbs’s cross, before Walcott was snuffed out after another cross from Gibbs. But it was Huddersfield who would come the closest.

Danny Cadamarteri would thump the post after slack marking from Gavin Hoyte, before Jim Goodwin’s dinked cross saw Cadamarteri work Fabianski from range. The defensive element of Arsenal’s game was missing as Huddersfield looked to bag the opener.

Another swift break saw Walcott smash an effort wide, as Wenger’s men struggled to adapt to the tempo.

However, in Aaron Ramsey Arsenal had a pass-master and it was his searching balls to Walcott and Vela which looked to un-lock the hosts, but solid defending had seen them snuffed out so far.

Huddersfield had shown great defensive awareness, which was something the Gunners had lacked. Luke Beckett raced through 1-1 with Fabianski, but Gavin Hoyte’s pace saw him catch up and make an excellent recovering tackle.

Walcott would then have a stinging shot wide, but Theo’s overall performance was on the whole poor. He had failed to hold the ball up, and his distribution left a lot to be desired.

After a bright spell of possession, Ramsey found Vela on the edge of the box, the wriggled away before seeing his left footed shot well caught Matthew Glennon. The Town number one would be worked again seconds later, as Lansbury hit a tame low drive.

Jack Wilshere’s ball-watching nearly cost Arsenal on two occasions, with the 16 year old showing he is still learning the game. The amount of times careless mistakes had given possession away was frightening, as Gibbs and Ramsey played poor balls, with the later releasing Michael Collins to shoot.

Wilshere was having mixed fortunes, after first a jinking run in the area nearly broke the resistance, he then failed to release Vela during a 3-3 break.

With minutes left on the clock, Walcott would have two shots saved, before Lansbury failed to convert the spilled rebound.

Half Time at the The Galpharm Stadium, and with the teams level, the Herbert Chapman Trophy looks set to be decided on penalties.

Half Time – Huddersfield Town 0-0 Arsenal

Both sides made whole-sale changes at the break, with the Gunners bringing Frimpong, Thomas, and Watt on for their first appearances for the first team.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas > Gavin Hoyte
Emmanuel Frimpong > Aaron Ramsey
Jay Simpson > Carlos Vela
Nacer Barazite > Theo Walcott
Sanchez Watt > Jack Wilshere
Vito Mannone > Manuel Almunia

Mannone
J.Hoyte – Djourou (c) – Thomas – Gibbs
Lansbury – Frimpong – Randall – Watt
Barazite – Simpson

Simpson and Barazite started the half in fine form, with several tricks and flicks designed to tease the Huddersfield back-line. The pair combined well for Jay to work an angle, his low drive was inches away.

The young starlets had a similar impact to the Barnet game, but the chance and goal mouth action had dried up.

With an hour on the clock the best chance so far arrived. Kieran Gibbs raced down the left wing, and after neatly keeping the ball in, his pull across found Sanchez Watt in the middle who lacked composure to finish.

Three further substitutions were then made.

Henri Lansbury > Havard Nordtveit
Johan Djourou > Kyle Bartley
Justin Hoyte > Rui Fonte

Just as the new boys managed to settle in, they would find themselves behind in disappointing circumstances. A long throw was not cleared correctly, with the ball bouncing to Michael Flynn, who’s crashed drive deflected in via Kyle Bartley.

Goal – Michael Flynn [5]

Wenger would now be looking for an instant reaction, and just three minutes later he would get one.

Jay Simpson raced down the right wing, before pulling it back for Sanchez Watt who first saw his shot blocked, but reacted quickly to volley home from 14 yards.

Goal – Sanchez Watt [78]

The swift equaliser saw Arsenal raise their game and press for a winner. Barazite set up Gibbs to blaze wide, but Huddersfield found themselves press back.

Earlier in the week we questioned if Wenger was over-looking Barazite, and the Dutchman showed his true class with a stunning strike to put the Gunners in front. He picked up Randall’s pass 25 yards out, before unleashing a powerful drive which was parried in.

Goal – Nacer Barazite [88]

Nacer’s winner would prove to be the final action of the game, with Arsenal winning the first ever Herbert Chapman trophy. The Youngsters once more proving their worth.

Article By – J.Sanderson

93 thoughts on “Huddersfield 1-2 Arsenal – Friendly – Match Report

  • August 6, 2008 at 7:59 pm
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    once again, very fast.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 7:59 pm
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    You are insane J!! lol, great comeback from the kids there. I really think that there could well be a kind of goldne crop of players coming through. We could be seeing the first players to have benefited from Arsene’s training techniques. I was very impressed tonight.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:00 pm
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    WOH JS DAT WAS MUY RAPIDO (BERY QUICK!!!!!!!!!)

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:01 pm
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    Thank you everybody, brilliant come-back from the boys, and once more Nacer Barazite in fine form.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:05 pm
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    that was a fast post by you j. arsenal played really well. good comebackand performance by z arsenal.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:05 pm
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    Hmmm not our best performance. But very understandable. Hope we not using up all our luck pre season

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:06 pm
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    does anyone know if nasri will play on friday and saturday

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:06 pm
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    I only managed to catch the second half but I wasn’t particularly impressed with our defence, although Gibbs looked good going forward.

    Randall impressed me with his passing in the middle, he seemed very composed and creative.

    Simpson was brilliant and Sanchez Watt was impressive as well. Fonte wasn’t as impressive as Barazite, Simpson and Watt were when he came on.

    Mannone wasn’t very assured and I wouldn’t be comfortable with him in goal for a PL or even FA cup game based on his showing.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:06 pm
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    nice to see barazite on the scoresheet, lookin’ good. hope he is seriously knocking on the first team door.

    any news on veloso/moutinho/barry, JS?

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:07 pm
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    Sanchez Watt and Gavin Hoyte were nice suprises today. I don’t actually feel any of them had a bad game. Gibbs was brilliant and I would prefer him at left back than Traore.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:08 pm
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    Mark Randall looked pretty good in the second half. He hasn’t looked that good so far pre-season but I think he’s shown some ability today. Interesting he was given the armband too.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:08 pm
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    randall gave some baddddddddd…….. passes today, but ramsey was brillant.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:10 pm
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    wilshere didn’t play at his best today.faianski looked assuring and confident to attck crosses and corners.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:11 pm
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    i didn’t see the game but judging by the result and the report for the age of the side we had out that is a very good result. Also how long did fonte get on the pitch and did he impress like last week?

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:13 pm
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    Fonte had around half an hour, and looked reall quite poor. He doesnt seem very brave or strong.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:14 pm
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    Great stuff once again J. Wa pleased to see ramsey play well. He really does like to dictate the play and commands the ball which is great for someone of his age. Only bad thing for him is I can only see him as a replacement for cesc and not a partner. Hopefully he can prove me wrong. Another thing that stood out was that it seems Arsene has been coaching the team to defend more as a unit. Lots of closing down even from the front which was good to see. Might this be his way of replacing flamini with what we already have?

    Missed the second half unfortunately but glad to hear barazite and simpson did well.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:15 pm
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    J.Sanderson what you think of simpson

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:17 pm
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    the gamee was craap, 90 minutes of my life i’m never getting back. Iagree the idea of Mannone on goal for a PL game is frightening. Theo kinda let me down today but at least they are getting some games in

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:18 pm
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    love Ramsey, but he wasn’t that good defensively or was he? could he get a chance with cesc?

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:18 pm
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    Jay was outstanding, really outstanding. His pace and power in the second half helped drag us to the win.

    His run for Watt’s goal was brilliant, quick feet and neat skills opened Huddersfield up.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:21 pm
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    I would say that Jay Thomas is the type of player we need in central midfield. The type I mean, in terms of physic. Tall, strong, get stuck in.

    Overall, I was pleased with the way we’ve passed the ball, but in a lot of ocassions, we should’ve been more focused as we’d been giving ourselves some hard times due to our own mistakes.

    I was pretty impressed with Barazite, Simpson, Gibbs, Jay Thomas and Watt to some extent. Wenger might’ve been pleased with the competitiveness of the game, having seen his young reserves team coming from behind to claim the Herbert Chapman trophy.

    Well done, guys! :)

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:21 pm
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    I rate Jay Thomas he could be a great player but yeah Gibbs was great today

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:21 pm
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    I wanna see Jay be able to replicate that performance against a PL team.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:22 pm
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    merida, gibbs, barazite, and wilshere are the best non first team members. mentally u can tell they just have more mentally although id like to add that if randall can get it together he could also be a class above

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:26 pm
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    man you are too god-damn fast, j. too good

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:27 pm
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    I want to see , Barazite , Simpson , Merida , Gibbs go to the amsterdam tournament

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:27 pm
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    i acutally think the level between Barazite and Simpson Compared to Walcott and Vela is not that high

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:29 pm
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    I’ve just noticed that Wilshere is still young enough to be a Junior Gunner member. Crazy.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:29 pm
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    Good report as usual Jay. I’m still worried about our lack of a No.2 keeper if Almunia got laid off for a stretch. Fab is too young and Mannone….not yet.

    Barazite and Simpson look set to push for the first team now which is great. Not sure where they’ll fit though.

    Ramsey also looks like he’s got his eyes on that CM spot next to Cesc. Intersting to see how long before he passes Denilson and Diaby for selection.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:31 pm
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    I forgot this match was on tonight damn Lol

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:32 pm
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    Walcott seems really out of place up front now because he doesn’t seem to have the strength to turn, something Simpson did very well.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:32 pm
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    aaron ramseys passing range is amazing, much better than randalls, aaron is quality.

    simpson looked great aswell, quick, skillful and can hold the ball up..however at arsenal you need to be a very very good player, playing international footall if you want to play in strike… the question is will jay be that good?

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:43 pm
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    SOME1 WHO WATCHED THE GAME PLEASE TELL ME

    HOW LANSBURY PLAYED??? GOOD OR NOT
    WILSHIRE??? GOOD OR NOT, IS HE REALLY READY FOR THE FIRST TEAM??
    GIBBS…IS HE BETTER THAN TRAORE REALLY AT LEFT BACK??

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:46 pm
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    What’s up with Nordtveit, why is Thomas in subbed before him? He didn’t play any bad in the matches he has played in the pre-season. Seems like Wenger is pulling a Barazite on him or something.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:50 pm
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    phader, if you would just read you would have the answer to your questions

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:50 pm
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    Lansbury was decent, he worked hard for the team but stuck out on the right stifles his creative elements.

    Gibbs was awesome, i prefer him defensivly to Traore.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:53 pm
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    The Dutchmaster, Some passes made by Randall were mistaken for Ramsey by the commentator although majority of then impressed with some part of their abilities.

    BUT BUT, a probable future star has been born tonight, I have seen alot highlights for the U18s last year and I thought he is only really had strength, stamina, tackling & power. Emmanuel Frimpong showed he can also dictate play with his passing, he has more similarities to Vieira than Diaby. WATCH THE SPACE

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:54 pm
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    Sanchez Watt will never make it at Arsenal although he scored a goal apart from that he kept giving the ball away and his passing was poor. Barazite played well when he came on but i think Simpson was better he was a real danger and did some great things from the wings and upfront. Gibbs also looks like a great option for us at left back he both defended very well and attacked like Clichy. Randall also played far better when the players he plays with in the reserves came on he looked far more comfortable. I also felt that Emmanuel Frimpong played really well when he came on in the CDM role ( hes abit like Essien) and Jay Thomas was good at CB too.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 8:59 pm
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    Arsene also played him in his preferred position straight away compare to the way he has developed other players and only 16 so he has plenty of time to develop into a MONSTER

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:00 pm
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    I agree with you guys who think that Frimpong could be a future star. Have seen him play for the U18s and he plays with so much passion every time. He is also very strong in the tackle and a good passer. I also prefer gibbs to traore at LB and wouldn’t be scared if he was to play a few matches there in the prem. He still gets caught out of position sometimes but so does clichy and at least it’s not as often as traore! He is also very composed on the ball and offers a lot going forward.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:00 pm
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    Simpson was good , Rafeal from Man U looks like a amazing prospect

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:01 pm
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    I’ve said it many times I’ll keep repeating that Kieran Gibbs is the next Ashley Cole talent-wise. He has tons of composure, strength, pace, and being a trained left mid means he has a lot of attacking instinct. I am very pleased with him and to be honest I think he is just as first-team ready as Jack Wilshere is.

    I really wish Randall would pull his head out because I keep going back to the Blackburn game where he looked like a Cesc/Scholes hybrid. He has technical ability and awareness he just needs to focus more. Hopefully that will come with time.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:02 pm
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    Frank, Kieran Gibbs is a better player than Rafael imo. I watched the United friendly and they were creaming their pants about nothing. Can you honestly compare he and Sagna?

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:03 pm
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    Frimpong did well, his corner was pretty poor (the one that went over everyone out for a Goal Kick.)

    Watt and Thomas impressed me personally, Sanchez finished well after a good move and Thomas showed his passing ability with a couple of good balls sprayed across the pitch.

    Finally, Barazite and Simpson upfront worked well, technically Barazite is very assure and comfortable on the ball while JS relies more on his work ethic and pace than pure technical ability.

    Good result against a top League 1 side.

    COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:06 pm
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    I am very impressed with the Midfielders that the academy is producing, and Richard Money the Newcastle Academy Director said on Skysports recently that there are alot of talents in our U16s & below so future is DEFINATELY bright

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:08 pm
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    Watt looked impressive IMO. He looked to take defenders on and scored a good goal. He is still a young player but its good to see young players be brave and take the initiative. Lansbury has been too cautious and always looks too pass instead of trying to create. The announcers were suggesting that Lansbury got a telling off from Wenger at half time, because he definitly tried harder in the 10 to 15 minutes he got in the second half. I doubt Arsene is happy with what he is seeing from Lansbury so far. It wasn’t long ago that he compared Henri to Gerrard. I hope Lansbury improves over the next few months because on current form, how could he make it at Arsenal.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:10 pm
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    ctroberts89, i agree with u about the Silva twins, i also watched Man Ure V peteborough match, they are very poor defensively but they were technically alright.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:10 pm
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    Traore should start to look over his shoulder as Kieron Gibbs has looked excellant in his two games at L/B.Henri Lansbury should be playing in C/M instead of Randall.Manny Frimpong is the next of Jack Wilshere’s year to step up.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:23 pm
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    Summed up beautifully Chris.

    The Silva twins were in a similar position to Vela i believe, Carlos got solid experience at a top level and looks quality.

    They both looked decent but not as special as people are making out.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:23 pm
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    I would like to see Vela and Simpson on the wings! Barazite is better in the center, as second striker, and Lansbury is not either a player of wing! Good performance in together! Contained the context, Gibbs and Frimpong have were excellent!

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:32 pm
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    Seems we have a young midfield General in the making Frimpong, only 16 and he bossed it in the second half.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:37 pm
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    Barazite pure quality for me the next big thing

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  • August 6, 2008 at 9:45 pm
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    Gibbs was very good, much better than traore at left back, and I think he is a good backup for clichy.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 10:01 pm
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    J. Sanderson, how old is Chuks Aneke?

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  • August 6, 2008 at 10:04 pm
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    so you lot all think that gibbs is a left back rather than letf mid??

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  • August 6, 2008 at 10:04 pm
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    I was impressed with Gibbs. He’s solid, focused and not flashy. He needs to play more short passes though. Positionally much better and more reliable than Traore

    Wilshere & Vela looked abit tired I thought. I liked what I saw of Fabianski, Ramsey was man of the match though. He’s more Cesc than Flamini so we need another player in there

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  • August 6, 2008 at 10:08 pm
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    I have to agree with ash about ramsey, and about vela being tired.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 10:26 pm
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    do we think LB is gibbs new position?

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  • August 6, 2008 at 10:58 pm
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    WHAT HAPPEN to the b.wood game

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  • August 6, 2008 at 11:08 pm
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    Barazite and Simpson combination worked out to be far more productive than Walcott and Vela. Barazite seems a great prospect, with an eye for the goal it seems. A pleasure to watch. Simpsom has got an incredible pace and power when he comes on. Gibbs was impressive too. I realy hope to see them again!

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  • August 6, 2008 at 11:15 pm
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    who knows what wengers plans are but i think traore is the new left mid apprentice and gibbs is being groomed to be clichys back up. i really cannot get over how mentally strong he is-he took last yearr emirates cup in stride and since then has gone from strength to strength and he now looks to be a budding star.

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  • August 6, 2008 at 11:29 pm
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    Gibbs is great , Simpson Was great today , Barazite was great

    BUT WTF is going on with Fonte He Is Slacking and wil get bullied if he goes out on loan

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  • August 6, 2008 at 11:40 pm
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    gibbs is like a new ashley cole. hopefully with a different attitude

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  • August 7, 2008 at 12:00 am
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    JS, do you think our current midfield is too crowded? We already have Fabregas, Ramsey, Denilson and Diaby in the middle… Do you think this will affect the chances of Randall and Lansbury?

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  • August 7, 2008 at 12:25 am
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    I think… J was writing this article when watching the game… That’s why J has the arsenal lightning pace haha

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  • August 7, 2008 at 12:43 am
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    kh, I’m sure I don’t have to remind you of how crowded it looked last season when all of a sudden, Fabregas, Flamini and Rosicky got injured all at once. Then we were very thin and started dropping points. Arsenal are very unlucky with injuries, when it rains it pours.

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  • August 7, 2008 at 12:46 am
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    lol barazite kissed the badge when h scored

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  • August 7, 2008 at 1:30 am
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    Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:05 pm Post subject:

    ——————————————————————————–

    Bid to bring back Jay and Jem

    Wednesday, 06 August 2008

    By Toby Porter

    MILLWALL manager Kenny Jackett has approached the clubs of both Arsenal’s Jay Simpson and Reading’s Jem Karacan this summer, but without success.

    Simpson was voted League One Fans’ Player of the Season, played 46 times and was joint top scorer alongside Gary Alexander, with eight goals.

    Karacan, 19, whose uncle Dean Thomas is a season ticket holder, made seven impressive appearances for the Lions last season on loan from Reading.

    “Simpson played all three of Arsenal’s games on tour in Austria last month but did not feature at the weekend,” said Jackett. “I am not saying I would not follow that up. It is their choice. But you can’t focus on outsiders too much – my job is looking at our team, making them into a unit.

    “I asked about Karacan in the summer. I saw him score for their first team. I asked if Reading would sell him but was told no – it might have been different if they had stayed in the Premier League. So we have to move on with our plans and wish them all the best.”

    More details on Tuesday’s fans’ forum in Friday’s South London Press, including: * Does Jackett have to sell before getting anyone in? * What is happening with Lenny Pidgeley and Dave Brammer * Jackett on why a good start is vital * Manager on how he wants youth system to work for the Lions * Marcus Bignot on players’ determination to put things right * How club is generating more income from The Den – and how regeneration of the 15 acres around the stadium can in the future

    http://www.southlondon-today.co.uk/tn/Sport.cfm?id=12650

    Apparently Wenger intends to keep Jay, I think that is the right call.

    seems like millwall still want him

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  • August 7, 2008 at 1:56 am
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    Special mentions have to go to Simpson, Thomas and G.Hoyte in my opinion, all who stood out, and all except Thomas have shown improvement over this pre-season, I meen except Thomas as this was the first time he played a first team game orcastrated and watched live by Wenger.

    No1 played bad, Fonte and Vela were slightly dissapointing though. Vela just couldent really settle into the game, made some good touches and promising signs but gave the bal away far too easily. I think he was a bit thrown by the physicality and the pace. Fonte just didnt get an early touch and suffered, never looked like doing anything of note and was pretty inconspicuious. Reminded me of Owen at the 2006 world cup.

    Side note. Does any1 know what Bischoff actually plays like? Cuz im editing my old CM, simply cuz im too cheep to buy the new one and too lazy to get it with non-league methods, so im adding in the signings, but i have no idea what position he favours other than that hes a midfielder and his style of play.

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  • August 7, 2008 at 1:56 am
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    Just an idea but i feel that Randall will play better if he has all first team players with him like Blackburn and Sunderland last year. The movement by the players is much more and so therefore he is able to pick out the passes more easily.

    I clearly feel that Wenger sees something in him as he has been captain twice now and continuosly gets the nod ahead of Lansbury in the middle

    What do you guys think?

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  • August 7, 2008 at 1:59 am
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    Barazite also played well, just too add him to my special mentions. But that kind of performance is what we’ve come to expect when he runs out on the picth either for the reserves or first team.

    Hes developed a distinctive style of play, technically hes nearly ready if not completely ready, physically hes come on alot and is again, probably completely physically able. Consitancey is good, performances are always of good standard. If Simpson wants to be an Arsenal player he will have to push Barazite or Wenger wont go for him. At the moment Simpson isnt showing enough consistancy in his game. The forward positions are congested enough as it is. One young player getting the odd appearence? Maybe possible. Two? Not bar a mass of injuries.

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  • August 7, 2008 at 2:02 am
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    “I clearly feel that Wenger sees something in him as he has been captain twice now and continuosly gets the nod ahead of Lansbury in the middle”

    Randall is a great passer and hes also versatile, you can play him left or right and he’ll give u a good performance, and centre hes at his best. Wenger loves players that can fill multiple positions, and he loves good passers. Thats why im not suprised Wenger rates him highly. He was brilliant against Sunderland last season and did consistantly well for the reserves. Not had a great pre-season but today was slightly better.

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  • August 7, 2008 at 2:09 am
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    with this kind of quality, we should hve won everything at youth level last season. i wonder if landsbury injury and some player going out on loan weakened our side a bit. but we still got barazite. i think many his teammates can’t keep up with him if he pace up his game (it looks to me he just play casually). i like his movement and vision, really kind of pires. makes me wonder why wenger yet to decide his role in first team. technique wise, he and wilshere about the same level, but physically he better. really a strange situations. i think gibbs just jumped ahead of randall and landsbury in terms of development. but his game still lack urgency and tenacity, which make both our fullback ( sagna and clichy) the best in prem league. he just too casual and lack determination at times. maybe a year as clichy understudy could help him a lot. others, nothing really wrong with their performance but they need to step up, work on their mentality. most of time, the different between top class and average is their mentality. i like jay simpson, he don’t have huge talent like wilshere but his determination and believe should be follow by others. i think that’s why wenger still keep him, to give him every chance to impress. loan spell really help him tough up his mental.

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  • August 7, 2008 at 2:45 am
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    Derrick- Yeah, I know that. But in the long term? Buying Ramsey was good, but I can’t help but wonder if Lansbury and Randall won’t make it into our team any time soon…

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  • August 7, 2008 at 3:16 am
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    Lansbury will but Mark Randall will not make the grade here IMO

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  • August 7, 2008 at 3:26 am
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    “Frimpong looked like a physical enforcer!”

    Frimpong was one of the stand-out players for the U18s last season and i cant wait for him to make the jump from U18s to Reserves. Good at free-kicks, strong, good tackling, good in the air, relativly skillfull on the ball and a good passer, decent shot and gets a few goals.

    Similar to Jay Thomas in a way, physically and positionally but slightly different approaches to the game. I prefere Jay Thomas but Frimpong is very talented aswell.

    “Buying Ramsey was good, but I can’t help but wonder if Lansbury and Randall won’t make it into our team any time soon…”

    “Lansbury will but Mark Randall will not make the grade here IMO”

    There a possibility none will make it. However Ramsey is above both Landsbury and Randall atm, more complete in his game and puts more into his individual performance. However dont write off Landsbury or Randall. Landsbury was being talked about in a similar way to Wilshire (not quite as highly rated but definatly considered a bit special) a couple of seasons ago and hes still not back to his best yet. Randall on the other hand is highly rated by the boss and on his day a brilliant player. Great passing ability, good on the ball and gets a few goals. He just needs to up the consistancy a bit.

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  • August 7, 2008 at 3:32 am
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    Watt disereves credit for the goal aswell. Kept cool under pressure when it counted. He needs to show that hes on the same level as the hype that surrounded him a couple of seasons back. However he is talented and has the potential. Extremely skillfull and versatile although he didnt really show that today. Played well thou and got a goal which is something he often fails to do (gettin a goal i meen, not playing well, he does that quite often).

    I repete my question, does any1 know what Bischoff’s playign style is, and how fast, strong, good in the air, good at finishing he is? All or any would be a help.
    Does ny1 know if hes likely to play any time soon aswell? I know he wont make the first team for the amsterdam tournament or the CL qualifiers but is likely to play the reserve friendlies before the season starts or is he still gaining fitness?

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  • August 7, 2008 at 8:02 am
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    J. Sanderson, that must mean Chuks Aneke is one of the 14yr old that Arsene wenger was referring to last season and also i noticed he was part of England under 17s squad last season while he was 14 yr old just like Wilshere. Very interesting

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  • August 7, 2008 at 9:17 am
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    i agree with your comment 100% g0on3r….about jay simpson and how he does not have huge talent like wilshire but has the determination.i saw how he set up the goal for watt..beat the defender and had end product to it. which i dont alwayz see from walcott – end product.
    i think arsene should keep jay simpson, as he could play in a number of postions for us. and hes a arsenal lad by heart

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  • August 7, 2008 at 10:09 am
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    Think you Arsenal lot should be a tad embarrassed at that performance. Although it was your youth team with a few first boys, they showed few hints of class I was expecting to see more of. The Town were solid in defence and organised in midfield if not a little weak on the left – but overall Experience versus Youth…….showed in realms.

    You did seem to turn on the ON button tho once we went ahead, which shows a little complacency of which won’t get you anywhere near a title challenge this season.

    Good night tho, good to see plenty of you made the trip.

    HTAFC – League One Champions 2008/09…….hopefully!

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  • August 7, 2008 at 12:02 pm
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    HTAFC- Embarrassed? Are you having a laugh? You got beat by our under 18’s in the second half. We had 2 16 year olds playing. Its you who should be embarrased and worried about relegation mate.

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  • August 7, 2008 at 1:01 pm
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    Dave – The fact is this. We fielded a side not short of a knackers yard whereas you had a side of supposedly one of the finest crop of youth players in the world. But yet they showed no class, no penetration of our defence and only put 1 more goal past us than we did to you. I expected 12-0 to the Venga Boy’s, but they failed………so that’s why it’s embarrassing. Simple! Ohh……..and then there’s the cost of your side………I won’t even go into that!………….

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  • August 7, 2008 at 1:50 pm
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    your blue and white…. And your absolutely shite…. Huddersfield ! Huddersfield !

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  • August 7, 2008 at 3:20 pm
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    Mr C, The cost of our side? Besides Ramsey and Theo our side is made mostly of players who came up through our academy or were bought as 16 year olds for chump change…

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  • August 7, 2008 at 10:07 pm
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    mr c you sound like a right tit this was arsenals under 18’s against your first team also how can you bring up the price of the squad rubbish most of these youngsters have come through the youth set up

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