Arsenal kicked off the brand new Reserves League South season this evening with a London Derby against a strong Chelsea side at Underhill.
Before kick off The Gunners were boosted with news that Kieran Gibbs and Mark Randall had both signed new four year contracts with the club, they celebrated the announcement with starts. Jay Simpson and Fran Mérida returned from loan spells to claim a starting birth alongside midfield maestro Jack Wilshere.
Chelsea boasted star striker Didier Drogba in attack, offering Kyle Bartley and new skipper Gavin Hoyte a firm challenge. 7 English boys made the starling lineup for Arsenal, with the bench made up of a further 5 home grown talents.
Szczesny
Ogogo – Bartley – G.Hoyte (c) – Gibbs
Wilshere – Coquelin – Randall – Mérida
Simpson – Fonte
Subs – Shea, Thomas, Rodgers, Murphy, Dunne.
Match Report – Arsenal 2-3 Chelsea
Jay Simpson and Rui Fonte kicked off the new campaign, in a season which Neil Banfield has once more challenged his young charges to mount a serious title challenge.
The Gunners made an instant impression as Mérida found Fonte on the edge of the box, but he failed to convert. Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair fizzed a shot off Ogogo for a corner in an instant response, before Miroslav Stoch worked Szczesny from range.
The decent size crowd were treated to a frantic start as both sides attempted to keep possession, but the competitive style meant this was almost impossible.
Simpson looked bright in attack, he chased and harrowed the nervous Chelsea back line, eventually forcing a foul on the edge of the box. Fran lined up a curling shot, but saw his effort deflect off the wall. Chelsea looked dangerous on the attack, with van Aanholt catching Ogogo cold down the left, until a fantastic recovering tackle from the former Fulham man stopped a certain cross.
But the visitors would then be punished for their attacking exploits. First Fran lashed at shot at Rhys Taylor, before Randall found Coquelin on the edge of the area, Francis stabbed it back to Mark in the box, he shifted beyond two Chelsea defenders before flicking inside the advancing Taylor from 6 yards.
A terrific piece of skill from Randall, and a perfect way to celebrate his brand new contract.
Goal – Mark Randall (10)
Sensing the opportunity to bag the second, Arsenal kept up their relentless attacking. Wilshere and Fonte combined on the ‘D’, the new number 19 attempted a deft chip but got his angles badly wrong. Coquelin then robbed Jacob Mellis in the centre, before the Frenchman came thundering forward to play Mérida in, but the Spanish play-maker crashed over.
Chelsea came back with two attacks, but were snuffed out by Szczesny and Ogogo. It seemed every time The Blues tried to hurt Arsenal, they hit back with full force. Rui Fonte proved this as he tricked his way past Bruma and curled a stinging drive off the post. Mérida then stung the palms of Taylor from range, it was total one-way traffic towards the visitors goal.
Francis Coquelin was superb in the middle, his non stop running power had helped dismantle the struggling Chelsea midfield, who found it a task just to play passes through the 17-year-old debutant.
Seth Ofori had no change out out of Gibbs, but Sinclair nearly punished the Gunners high line. His cross saw Drogba work Szczesny, but he parried the effort back to the winger. Scott lashed the ball back across the goal, and only a last ditch interception from Ogogo stopped the equaliser
Shocking defending from Kyle Bartley should have levelled the scores, but Arsenal’s number one Wojciech Szczesny had other ideas. First he rushed out to make a perfect challenge on Drogba, before Sinclair smashed one at the giant Pole, he again saved expertly. The hat-trick of saves was completed as he caught Sergio Tejera’s free kick. A truly exceptional start to the new campaign.
An elegant ‘Maradona’ turn from Randall helped ease pressure in the corner as Chelsea kicked on, Drogba bullied Bartley out the wing, allowing space for Sinclair, he lobbed Szczesny but also the frame of the goal. Tejera was then booked when he really should have been sent off for a wild swipe at Mark Randall, the Gunners starlet scrapped hard for possession, but the Spaniard didn’t like the manner and preceded to take a pop at Randall’s neck.
Any bad fortune for the lack of a red card was rewarded moments later – Ogogo appeared to shoulder charge Stoch to the floor, but the referee gave nothing.
Arsène Wenger was spotted watching on from the terraces, was he taking a break from signings? or preferring to bolster his squad with Reserve players? the next hours will tell.
With half time approaching Drogba had a firm chance to bear down on Szczesny’s goal, but Gavin Hoyte wanted the ball more and made an great tackle to dispossess the giant striker. However, the Ivory Coast forward would play a part in the equaliser, he barged Ogogo over down the right flank, a neat pass across the face of the goal found Tejera who slotted home.
The strike was rather contentious as there was a solid case for Sergio to have been sent off minute before, but the effort stood, and Chelsea were heading for the break level.
Goal – Sergio Tejera (42)
Half Time – Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea
The second period began with Banfield issuing clam to his players, the young Gunners were urged to keep the ball and look for a probing pass.
With just minutes of the half gone it should have been 2-1 to Chelsea as Tejera found Stoch 6 yards out, but the Slovak drilled his chance wide. A huge let off for the now complacent Reserves.
Jack Wilshere had a very quiet first half, but exploded into life with two delightful twists and turn down the right flank. But his passing was erratic at times as the previous high tempo fell away.
Randall was next to come close, a 25 yard free kick hit a hand in the wall and bounced off the cross bar, but Gavin Hoyte failed to finish the rebound.
With an hour on the clock the two danger men were withdrawn, Drogba and Tejera were replaced with Michael Woods and new signing Fabio Paim – who like Rui Fonte is on loan from Sporting Lisbon. Neil Banfield also shuffled his pack, James Dunne replacing Frenchman Francis Coquelin.
On 62 minutes Chelsea would snatch the lead, and it was the double substitution which would pay dividends. Paim’s 25 yard cross field ball found Stoch in acres of space on the left, he layed the ball across and Michael Woods tapped beyond Szczesny.
Goal – Michael Woods (62)
The second strike had really killed Arsenal, who now seemed lethargic and frustrated. Rui Fonte was lazy in attack, Fran Merida’s passes were not sticking, and the lack of a defensive midfielder left the Gunners exposed.
Seven minutes later it was game, set and match. Jacob Mellis darted into the area, Gibbs’ tackle only profited the ball for Scott Sinclair, he curled beyond Szczesny into the corner for 3-1.
Goal – Scott Sinclair (69)
A frustrated Gavin Hoyte lashed out at Stoch on the edge of the box, and the diminutive forward nearly punished him from the resulting free kick. Kyle Bartley performed well against Drogba, but when facing the pacy Paim and Stoch, he looked average. However, it was Bartley’s excellent passing range that offered the greatest chance of a conciliation effort.
Banfield was looking for a reaction for his boys, and he got one. Wilshere released Jay Simpson who was scathed down for a free kick, another certain red card that the referee let go. Bartley bullied the wall out of the way, and Rui Fonte curled a stunning effort perfectly into the corner. Game on.
Goal – Rui Fonte (77)
Mark Randall was then replaced by Rhys Murphy, and the true character of the boys came out as a fight back began. Simpson won a corner following an electric run down the right, but Wilshere wasted the chance to score.
A succession of further corners tested Chelsea’s defence, with Kyle Bartley nearly clipping home Dunne’s cross. Arsenal had there fight and belief back in there play, and in Rhys Murphy one of the best young strikers in the country. He tried to work an opening with Gibbs, but Chelsea were just holding on.
They managed to ride out the storm and Arsenal’s 7 game unbeaten run in the Reserves was over.
Article By – J.Sanderson
robinho to city…
DONE
is there anymore news about lansbury going on loan that was on this site earlier.
a bit late Manuel
Alonso looks like a done deal.
lol fuck off we’re only interested in incoming transfers here!!!
Liverpool are still doing business but are not bringing anyone in? the only player who could leave is Alsono and a French radio station has mentioned this as well.
fucking man city goons on skysports news. this investing is utter bollocks.
arsenhollis u are chatting shite
Funny how we’ve turned this article into transfer speculation.
OKAY ONLY SAY DONE DEAL WHEN YOU KNO SUMMIN IS DNE. OVAWISE DNT.
I belive any transferconfirmation won’t be until after 12.30
Gully but those players can be replaced by the fring players
Lehmann — Fabianski
Helb —- Nasri
Gilberto —- Song/Denilson
So we just really need one signing to replace flamini really
NOT TRUE MAN–ARE U SERIOUS MATE?? FABIANSKI IS NOT READY–DENILSON IS INCONSISTENT ALTHOUGH A GREAT PLAYER AND WILL BE WORLD CLASS SOMEDAY AND NASRI I AGREE WITH-HE IS BETTER THEN HLEB BUT GILBERTO SENDEROS AND FLAMINI NEED REPLACING–SILVESTRE IS NOT A REPLACEMENT-JUST AN EXPERIMENT
fab’s dad I am responding to a message earlier 1 or 2 and we can win the league, lets be real our strikers Adebayor needs to prove his commitment and that last season was no fluke, RVP needs to prove he can stay on the pitch longer thah he stays on the ttable, eduardo needs to prove he can comeback, walcott needs to prove he can cut it, bendtner vela ditto keepers almunia fabiankski and mannone come on! centre halves have yet to have a clean sheet together against the rest of the top 3. Eboue reserve right back before enough said, silvestre reserve left back man utd bought 3 left backs while he was there so fergie didnt fancy him that much and I havent even started on the children in the middle of the park. I cannot see it mate but I hope ur right!!! I want trophies not good end of term school reports.
A bit odd to say Silvestre is an experiment. I don’t think I’ve heard of experiments that are over 30 before.
George mate ive been optimistic 4 the last three seasons mate but now im depressed. wenger has lied to us, i remember him being asked at the start of the summer if he would replace any players that we lose and he said ‘certainly’. Gilberto, Flamini, Senderos, Lehmann, Hoyte all not replaced. Its shocking, people have 2 accept nearly every side in the top 10 have 11 quality players but its what u have after that and the reality is we dont have enough quality or quantity. sorry but diaby, eboue, bendtner, denilson just aint good enough
20 mins to go. Who knows, we could have signed someone already?
manuel wait and see, alonso is in the bag, has been all day dude.
J.S Wants Ur Email need to tell u somethiNG QUICK
veloso alonso barry, we’ll probably got a bigger chance signing gary glitter than them
Arsenehollis whats your source?
By saying he would replace them does not mean that he would sign someone new. I think he meaned that Denilson etc could step up.
WELL THATS WHY YOU WOULDN’T KNOW THEN GEORGE!! IM LOVING ALL THIS TRANSFER BANTER!! WE’RE ALL IN THIS 2GETHER LADS!! DO NOT PANIC THE SIGNINGS ARE UMMING AS I SAID BEFORE!!!
ALONSO OR VELOSO–IM STICKING TO MY GUNS (GET IT!??) CAMAAAANN!!!
J said his email is mental-acid@hotmail.co.uk
Veloso Played for S.Lisbon today, don’t think it’s him. Gerrard out, Don’t think it’s Alonso. That means…
VIERIA HAS COME BACK!. I bet!.
no george i saw the interview on tv online and he was asked would he replace from within or buy and he said he would buy. The guy is a great manager but is a liar, he contradicts himself every day. its not fair on the fans. i was at the game on sat and lets be serious here denilson is not ready 2 step up. the only player we have capable of replacing flamini is coquelin but hes still 2 young
T gully how r u gonna feel when we dont sign no one mate?
stewdog all the managers lie, that is not news.
i didnt see it…
My source on the alonso rumour was t-gully, he said he had a reliable source.
going slow now
I cant believe we are all doing this while wenger is in bed safely tucked up thinking about the two 18 year olds who he “signed” today. Its obvious we wont sign anyone its back to school tomorrow for our potential signings they have all had to have their bath and hairwashed and put our their new uniforms. Im off for a cocoa ………cocoa who does he play for?
RECORD COMMENT 226!!!! GEORGE IS THE WINNER LOL!!!!!
Don’t get disappointed if nothing’s been announced at 12 ‘cos it might take a while to announce any sort of transfer. 13 minutes to go…
Stew, maybe Wenger had agreed a price already, but the club kept raising it?. Either way, no signing i can be alright with. If Denilson/Song doesn’t step up, Remember, there’s always Jan.
we are not giving denilson a good crack and i am backing him to prove all of us wrong
What is the source? Just say it or else most of us won’t believe you.
To t-gully
Alonso is not a done deal that’s crap
Just listen to Clichy…he believes in our team.
Ten minutes left for Wenger to buy…
haha bc i couldnt agree more, except he is probably tucked up with some 15 year old starlet from burkina faso!
Personally i don’t think we’ll get anyone but you never know!
Don’t start with the pedo shit StewDog
Steera, Agreed. Benetiz always wants more, maybe he’s happy with the signings he made and won’t miss Alonso?. Maybe, he’s pissed about Barry, or Maybe he just wants Wenger to look bad and led him on until 11:59pm when he shouts, “YOU’VE BEEN PUNKED”.
Let’s just stay calm and hope for Jan.
#
T gully how r u gonna feel when we dont sign no one mate?
StewDog said this on September 1, 2008 at 10:46 pm
I’L FEEL GREAT MATE—JUST HEARD WE’RE DEFINATLY ANNONCING A SIGNING FROM RADIO!!
seedorf i agree that if we have no signings we can have an okay season but all im saying is that we wont anything this year with the current crop unfortunately. it would be naive to think otherwise.
FUCKING YES!!!! IS THIS DEF T-GULLY?
someone hurry up and shut that window wengers snoring is keeping me awake
Remember we had to ask for a 2 hour extension to sign diarra last year….nothing is fucked here dudes.
T gully what u been smoking mate?
Did it say who?
T-GULLY WHICH RADIO????
George, dont listen to T Gully i bet he is a spud tryna wind us all up
If we do not sign anyone then our club is a joke IMO
Please don’t say this was bullshit
Less than 5 mins… I don’t seee no signings
Veloso came in as a sub for Sporting tonight.
hahaha we will see very soon
TALK SPORT RADIO
One minute left. Hurry Arsene!
Less Than a minute Still No Signing
If we do not sign anyone then our club is a joke IMO
Kent paul said this on September 1, 2008 at 10:55 pm
———————————————————–
Your Opinion is a joke.
Nasri
Coquelin
Ramsey
Bischoff
Silvestre
WTF do you want, one signing would be good. It won’t make us shit if we don’t get one. Don’t be a fucking tosser and make it out how we’ll be a joke. Bitch.
I fucking hope you’re right mate. Look at me getting all edgy about this lol.
2 left it aint gonna happen
Dunno bout u guys but i think we got the wrong abu dhabi at arsenal
Its Midnight
Well…
Don’t come on here acting like the big man Seedorf. He said IMO meaning it was HIS opinion.
Fuck right off t-gully. u r a tosser u spud prick
Btw, instead of Refreshin Arsenal.com repeatedly, Try Sporting/Liverpool, other plays teams we’re heavily linked with. Real broke the story before Man C. Maybe the same could happen?
IF THAT IS. IF.
lol Seedorf mate
Arsenal
Nasri
Coquelin
Ramsey
Bischoff
Silvestre
Man City
Kompany
Wright Phillips
Robinho
Jo
Zabaleta
I think that says it all mate
Don’t come on here acting like the big man Seedorf. He said IMO meaning it was HIS opinion.
George said this on September 1, 2008 at 11:00 pm
———————————————-
Big men act, i threatened, I wasn’t hating his opinion, i was hating the REASON for his opinion. And besides, ever heard, “A” and “B” convo, “C” yourself out? :D
any news guys???
bear in mind any late deals still need to be reported.
T-gully if it was on the radio they would have had a name mate.
TALK SPORT online is not saying anything (listen free online–google it).
I meant Arsenal related
Cheers for getting my hopes up T-Gully I genuinely believed you for a second seeing as you’ve been on here for ages.
why all so quite.
He said it’s on TALK SPORT but still nothing yet
George, STFU.
I was hating the reason for his Opinion, not what he said. We aint got a Sugar daddy and we’re use to this. Haven’t you heard, “A” and “B” convo, “C” yourself out?. :D
T Gully is a spud
errrm…
hate to say i told you so,
but i told you so…
we arent signing anyone. and we are falling behind.
what i would do 4 robinho :(
well that was fun wasn’t it. Well time to go to bed night all!
George, shut it. I wasn’t hating his Opinion, i was hating the reason for it. We’ve never bought 10 players a season, and why should we start now. Keep your nose out of it anyway, Douche.
Manuel it wasn’t that people doubted you, but it’s human nature to remain optimistic. Conceding defeat is for foreigners not English.
what i would do 4 robinho
StewDog said this on September 1, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Nothing illegal i hope. :D
george.
what i am is a realist.
Seedorf it’s really not impressive. Can you not hold an adult conversation without resorting to abuse? If not then that really says a lot more about you thsn the immaturity you have just shown by responding with childish names.
Diarra was not confirm until1 12.45 last year so still hope
so no news guys?????????//
dnt wrry u lot yet, coz transfers wont be fully published until 2-3 in da mornin.
We only sign petential players, look who Manchester City have just bought Robinho who do we buy some portugese waliking band aid in Biscoff a washed up center half in Silvestre a couple of 17 year olds and Samir Nasri who may turn out to be a good player
Who is going to be really Piss*d off if we dont get a DM!
Anyone a bit concerned about the game against chelski tonight?? Considering all we do is go on about our kids and you never hear chelski going on about theres! I think overall the chelski kids were a bit better then ours and these kids are what we are relying on to do the business as we wont buy anyone! Considering how much we go on about these kids surely we should be whipping any other kids and winning the youth cup each season!! all the talk of these kids is to give us fans some false hope. the reality is we are a team that is not going to win anything! we have some great players but look how injury prone they are!! Fabregas is not going to stay for much longer and without him we are nothing! Theo is Sh*t!!!
lol im thinkin about assassination seedorf
haha Manuel I have seen that for the last few hours!!!
George, i didn’t point my finger and call you a girl. I called you a Douche. Difference. It’s not a conversation when one includes themselves without a reason to. I wasn’t tryna impress you, if you want to be impressed i suggest you look elsewhere.
So you’re suggesting you had a reason for interfering and I didn’t. That is really hypocritical.
Kent Paul, i’m sure if we had a Sugar Daddy you’ll be getting what you want. The fact remains we don’t, and most likely won’t as long as the board is obsessed with cash. We might get a player, but Densilon hasn’t been excatly shocking in the EPL. Wouldn’t you rather wait and give him a chance and if all goes wrong, there’s Jan?
sickened. simple as.
oi girls! talk about football!
only good thing about today…
i certainly wouldnt want to be a spurs fan right now.
other than that its been utterly disappointing.
kent paul i agree except nasri is a class act already and vela looks exciting. If we added 2 more i would have been more optimistic. fact is though rosicky and van persie will not stay fit, eduardo wont be fully ready this season and bendtner is dog shite, baptista’s got a better touch! lol
George, It’s not sane to have a conversation alone. I was starting one, you were butting into one. Difference.