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
Veloso played for Sporting tonight. So that cant be happening can it?
George, i started a convo, you entered somebodys elses.
arsenal website is down… maybe some news coming out
All of you – go to bed. When you wake up in the morning you’ll have a nice surprise. Got from a VERY reliable source that we’ve signed someone. Can’t say who though, it wouldn’t be a surprise then.
We still need a decent centre half and midfield player, I giving ten more minutes and that’s it for the night
George, i was starting a convo, you were joining into mine. Difference.
so seems T_Gully had us all on a wind up, Up the Gooners!!!!!!!!!
wait and see tomor when when wenger talks about belief in players. i’ll be at work and will just depress me.
this season is going to be shit for us! watch chelski and man utd have their own battle why we battle it out for 3rd!
what is happening at spurs is the only thing that is keeping me going right now.lol i heard they are getting heskey. lmao :)
Btw, Quality Display Pic J. :D
You were starting a convo…You must have had a really fucked up childhood to have to call people “fucking tossers” and “bitches” to start a conversation. However I don’t begrudge it on you, I merely pity your lack of social skills and hope that, in time, you can see the error of your ways.
steera,
id give up now mate.
waste of time and has been all evening. it was sooooo obvious we wouldn’t sign anyone and yet weve all sat here hoping for the hopeless.
rubbish window for us. all the teams behind us are catching us and quickly.
so as one window closes another one opens. Now for the usual rumour that Wenger has found a window especially for Arsenal. The bargain basement window is now open for players that we can sign hurrah unwanted buy their club or any other we look for free transfers, out of contracts, etc, etc. Roll on Blackburn away and another 12 hour round trip!!
glad someone else can see bendtner is shocking
Watched the second half. Gibbs, Simpson and Wilshire looked good. Merida`s passes on the other hand didn`t look up to scratch.
Fucked up childhood?, Hardly. I just got pissed and what he said, People who’re pissed tend to say awful stuff. And please, i don’t need you pity.
we probly have been busy today. no doubt our academy has signed a raft of 13 year olds, ‘for the future’
I know you don’t need my pity, I’m sure you have enough already. I’m just intrigued that you give me the pleasure of replying to anything I say like a hurt puppy.
you lot i say stay until 12:30, and if nothin is done by then, then it is fairly obvious that arsenal are struggling.
I wouldnt be surprised if we started snapping up babies with good genetic make up!
Dont the Arsenal board realise that our champions league place will go the way of the Dodo if we do not splash the cash because Manchester City have more money to spend than Chelsea do now and Tottenham Hotspurs and Aston Villa are on our shoulders now
Hurt?, enough but. Kids do not offend me so easily. And plus, we’re both replying. :D
do u think wenger actually cares about the fans? im not so sure. I was watching sky sports earlier and Utd fans were saying sack ferguson coz they hadnt bought a striker. lmao they done the double last year. I watched kompany the other day 4 city, the boy is class and he was playing DM. why oh why did we not sign him?
Kent, Tot’nam always will have more Transfer Money. They never use it wisely.
Any respect I had for you has now gone after that last incomprehendible comment.
this is shit!!!!!!!
And the fact that you know I’m a kid is even more embarassing as you’re taking your time to write to me so, honestly, that says it all.
well newcastle done their business. actualy every team has done their business today, but not arsenal.
BREAKING NEWS!!! ARSENAL HAVE SNAPPED UP A 9 YEAR OLD WONDER KID!! SHOULD BE IN THE FIRST TEAM IN 9 YEARS!!!!!!
What did i do to gain your respect in the first place?. Some people would call this harassment George, No means no. Besides, i thought my last comment was “well wicked”.
Who’s says i’m not a kid myself?
BREAKING NEWS: Arsene has just signed our death certificate.lmao
Who says i’m not a kid either?
okay im off u lot nice chilling wiv u. bless. my name is gnna change to arsenal gunner coz im gnne be on da PSP. bless . and we will sign some one, mark my words.
Manchester City are the new Chelsea now imagine who else they are going to buy in the january transfer market and Arsenal better wake up and smell the coffee now because we have a genuine fight on our hands now to get in the champions league IMO
In times like these, we can all relate to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTdBBVW9bTs
fuckin shit arsenal fuckin shit
lmao tottenham have replaced keane and berbatov with pavyluchenko and fraizer campbell. lmao fuckin brilliant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenal_F.C.#Current_squad
have a look you cannot win the title, or Champs League with that Mr Wenger who do you think you ar kidding. If we take the cups seriously for a change we might have anice day out at wembley, but we cannot afford to do that either as failure 5to be in the top 4 will mean the deaprtures of Cesc Clichy and Sagna our best 3 players
Diaby will embarass you all.
the only person diaby will embarrass is himself
We’ll see
who needs the Abu Dhabi group… when we have Abou Diaby!! :)
thank fuck for spurs. their ‘activity’ has made our lack of activity look good.
has anyone noticed the main pic on arsenal.com has just changed? Maybe something is going on?
oh man
Chris, i noticed too. I’m constantly refreshing now. :P
KEEP ON DOUBTING ME PEOPLE–I HAV ONLY DISSAPEARED 2 WATCH SETANTA DOWNSTAIRZ!! U MARK MY WORDS!! WE WILL SIGN PLAYERS TONIGHT!! JUST WAIT FOR CONFIRMATION!!
i have faith in you gully. i wont doubt you for a second.
trust gully he knows what hes talking about.
It’s quite clear we won’t sign anyone, there is a small chance that we left it very, very late to announce, but it’s becoming more and more unlikely that we sign anyone.
Stop kidding yourself Gully.
T-Gully, once again. You’ve failed.
what do you think about bartley? i think he did very well tonight against one of the best strikers in the world. he is 6 foot 4.. can he make it?
LADS DONT PANIC OK! WE KNOW HOW WENGER WORKS–HE JUST 2 DAYS AGO SAID HE WAS PREPARED TO DO THIS AND WAIT ALL NIGHT!
IF HOWEVER I AM PROVEN WRONG WHICH IS ALWAYZ A POSSINILITY MAY I B THE FIRST TO APOLOGISE TO ANY OF MY FELLOW SUPPORTERS IF I HAVE WOUND U UP…I AM ONLY SIMPLY PASSING ON INFO THAT I HAVE GAINED THROUGH A HARD DAYS RESEARCH FROM ALL KINDS OF SOURCES AND ALSO FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY RELIABLE SOURCES! I DO NOT LIKE TO NAME DROP BUT I HAVE A FEW FRIENDS WHO PLAY FOR TOP 4 PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS IN RESERVE AND FIRST TEAM AN IT IS SOME OF THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO WHAT I KNOW WITH THE TALK AROUND THEIR TRAINING GROUNDS FROM SENIOR MEMBERS! HONESTLY GUYS I WUD’NT WASTE THE TIME LYING OK!!
Well it doesn’t look like we have signed anyone. Although, I didn’t hear about the cashley and gallas thing until the morning after. As to all those criticising Wenger…stop being so pathetic, the guy is doing what he thinks is right. If he had signed a ‘world class defensive midfielder’ such as everyone is claiming he should have done, it would have basically mean’t the end of diaby/denilson having a real chance to develop in this team. I remember last summer, every Arsenal fan wanted Flamini to leave, and join Birmingham, everyone said he was not good enough, and look what happened. I know its a cliche, but lets just trust Wenger, if he thinks Denilson is better than anyone he could sign, I trust him. He has been more correct than most in the past on judging players…so lets not get excited and think we have all the answers…
Lol, Top four?. Not even Arsenal first team members know who’ being sign let alone Hyppia. Lol.
Well, Alright. just calm down though mate.
I have just heard Arsenal will be signing Stephen Appiah in the next couple of days, he is a free agent so there is no rush for the deal. Wenger thinks he can provide the experience and bite that our midfield has been lacking but again he is just coming back from a serious injury!
T Gully u chat shit mate
wenger is sooooo shrewd its unbelievable!! Appiah all makes sense
cant believe we aint signed no one. this is so shit. fans of man city and man utd can enjoy signings like berbatov and robinho. whilst we look forward to watching rubbish like denilson and eboue because wenger is a tight arse and wont sign anyone.
fuck sake.
arsenal could announce alonso too. check independent website
STEWDOG HOW CAN U TRY SAY I CHAT SHIT YA SPUNKY CUNT AY!?? LOOKIE HERE M8 IM TOO OLD AND TOO COOL 2 WASTE TIME SITTING ON HERE TIL 2 IN DA FUCKIN MORININ “CHATTING SHIT” TO SUPPORTERS OF THE THING I LOVE MOST –ARSENAL. I HAVE NOT EVER SAID THAT WENGER TOLD ME ANYTHING AND BLAH BLAH..I SIMPLY PASSED ON INFO I CAME ACROSS THROGHOUT THE DAY…NOW HOW DA FUCK IS DAT CHATTING SHIT!?? WOT DA FUCK MAKEZ U MORE CLUED UP THEN ME?? ARE YOU WENGER?? IF UR SO FUCKIN SMART U’D NO THAT EVRYTHING IVE SED 2NITE HAS GREAT VALIDITY IN THIS SITUATION!! SHOW SUPPORT…UNDERSTAND THE FACT THAT DUE TO THE FACT I AM NOT WENGER I COULD HAVE ONLY BEEN SPEAKING SUGGESTIVLY…MAKE A CUP OF HORLICKS FOR URSELF…AND SHUT DA FUCK UP!! THANK U
u should change your name to T-Gullable mate. believing all the shit u read
AWHAHAHAHAHAH!! THAT WOZ A GOOD 1…..NOT!! DAS ALL U CUD CUM OUT WIV COZ U NO WOT I SED IZ RIGHT!! AN UR ONLY PISSED OFF COZ WE AINT SIGNED NO1 AN U THOUGHT WE WOULD AZWEL!! DATS NOT MY FAULT!! GO EMAIL WENGER…TEL HIM U WANT TO SUCK HIS DOGZ COCK 4 ALL I CARE U STEWWWWWWWYYYY BASTARD LOL!! NO HARD FEELINGZ M8 YH!! ALL JUS A BIT ON BANTER! SERIOUSLY THO…I FEEL UR PAIN MAN!! UMON WE’RE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT HERE!!
could you stop typing with your caps lock on mate, it’s really annoying.
They played well so we cant fault them even though they lost. As for Chelsea, very impressive, but im suprised they have so many young foreign players in their reserves. Might sound a bit hypocritical but our reserve side is still around 60-70% english, where as they look more like 40% with the majority being foreign and i’d hate to know how much they all cost.
Also, i know they lost out on Robinho which is a big loss, but looking at Sinclair and Paim, surely they should be playing first team football and would get chances in most other sides. Malouda is rubbish, drop him, sell him (january), call them 2 up.
any transfer news mates??
Woah , you fellas had a long night !
Meanwhile I was in bed dreaming about the transfers, and we signed a little know brazilian striker called rodrigo dofodo for 12m, and some 12 year olds from bolivia for 50k.
Anyway, lets not get carried away by the lack of signings, it is frustrating but we still have hope.
Oh and if remember correctly, Denilsons signing 2 years ago was only announced a day after the transfer window!
You wanna read a proper match report…….
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3020266/reserves/arsenal-res-v-chelsea?tab=report
nah no signings. its over…
I’m glad we rejected abu dhabi group! it’s a disgrace that these people can come in and wreck out football just because of their money!! Surely they’re going to invest even more than Chelsea in the coming years so we get another team that wants to buy their titles. The smaller teams are struggling to get their players because of the ridicilous prices. I’m really glad we are not involved in that, we’re not selling our souls to strangers.
About the reserves match anyone can tell me where I can watch highlights of the match apart from ATVO cause I don’t have that?!!
About no signing (yet) well not really the forum to discuss this but with 370 comments you can’t be that annoyed JS can you, it’s a record isn’t it?!!
371 actually. lol ;)
well…Denilsons signing was announced on midnight two years ago on the sun and arsenal website but in small text, as far as I can remember. Seems like there is no signings, though I do believe having Vela here is an amazing signing. The midfield seems a bit light, though having Eduardo back would create that creative link. And not forget Van Persie free of injuries is the best signing we could get. What about Merida?
OK…
MAN CITY ARE THE NEW CHELSEA….IF ANYONE CANT SEE THAT THEN UR CRAZY…BY NEXT SEASON THEY WILL BREAK INTO THE TOP FOUR…
SOO IT LOOKS LIKE EITHER US OR LIVERPOOL WILL BE PLAYING UEFA CUP FOOTBALL…BUT IT WONT BE US….IT WILL BE LIVERPOOL
I HONESTLY CANT BELIEVE ARSENE DIDNT BUY ONE MORE MIDFIED PLAYER…WOT HAPPENS IF CESC OR DENILSON GET INJURED??…OK WE HAVE SONG BUT WE STILL NEED ANOTHER BODY
VELOSO SHUD BE A ARSENAL PLAYER….EVEN XABI ALONSO SHUD OF BEEN
NOOOO WAY IS DIS SQUAD GOOD ENOUGH….IM ACTUALLY P*SSED OFF TO BE HONEST WID ARSENE’S STUBBONESS
I HATE TO SAY IT…BUT IT LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER THROPHY-LESS SEASON….SOO IF ARSENE DOESENT SPEND BIG ON ATLEAST ONE PLAY NEXT SEASON THEN THE BOARD SHOULD LOOK FOR A CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT….LET ARSENE BE DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OR SUMMIN
Diaby, don’t forget is an amazing prospect that can really break through this year. And don’t forget Rosicky. Everybody who watched the match against Newcastle should see there is no doom here. There is potential and hope.
cant believe it lads….just cant believe it…im actually devestated
have heard that Stephen Apiah may b a shock free transfer signing!??
we’ve gt a gud enuff squad, nothing to worry about.
(http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=845824)
THIS IS THE ARTICLE 4 EVERYONE THAT DOUBTED ME LAST NITE!! PROVES WHAT I SAID ALL ALONG ABOUT ALONSO RIGHT!! OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WENT WRONG BUT HE SHOULD BE AN ARSENAL PLAYER RIGHT NOW!!
this is all fucked up and im really really angry with wenger for this!! it’s obvious we won’t win anything this seaon! and it hurt most to watch all the other teams parading their new world class players while we fucked about as usual! all this tight pocket shit has got 2 stop!! ive had enuough! this is 2008!! u must spend money if u want success!!
I think that RUI FONTE his pure class!!!
HIs free kick was sick!!!RONALDO
HE S playing well this season,improving every game he will be a massive player!!!
Got 4goals allready this season,the best goalscorer so far…If he becomes more stronger i can imagine him as the next fans favoutite for long time!!!
I really like this kid,what a good player!!!
well, what are we doing on the webpages of arsenal reserves and youth if we dont believe in the squad. I am amazed by the talent coming through and the football against Newcastle on saturday. DIABY, EDUARDO and ROSICKY are still out remember, and NASRI I feel is better than Hleb. Silva’s routine is gone, but players like DENILSON and EBOUE were amazing last match…and then there is Merida, Wilshere, Ramsey coming up as well as Randall and Gibbs. No reason to cry, these youngsters are coming and dont need an oldie occupying their space
are arsenal going to sign appiah because his on a free transfer
As well as any new player has got to adapt to the tactic and playing pattern, which will take time. The youngsters already know this, and need to learn from other sides. The attacks shown against Newcastle needs time to be adapted to. From my perspective, I believe they can, especially DIABY
VELA as well not to forget
i agree with you man totally.
cmon we need 400 comments!!!!!
18 to go
17
and Jamie, how do you feel about not signing anyone?
yeah i feel if arsene aint someone look for a experienced midfielder who is free
a player like appiah has played for big clubs in italy and turkey could bring that winning mentality in the team as well as being a great leader
does anybody have link about stephen appiah joining arsenal on a free transfer
we could still bring Stephen Appiah on a free hw wont coast anything and was a gd player a few years, worth a gamble isnt he? I mean at least he proven on some levels unlike that Bischoff. What do ppl think. cos he would rather join us than west ham!!!! Man City the new Super Force in england england now at least Chelski wont get every1 now.
Stephen Appiah any1 free transfer?????????????????
Hmm, of course a def. midfielder would be great, but I’m not too worried. Denilson is a good prospect, in my opinion he has the potential do become an even more complete Flamini.
Diaby is also a quality player on his days, though I have bigger hopes for Denilson.
Remember boys, our fullbacks, one of our central defenders(Toure or Gallas, pick one :P), Fabregas, Nasri, Rosicky(If he gets back to full fitness and class), and our classy strike force. Where we have great talents, and great starters and great depth.
And we have a lot of talents who perhaps could become starters this season, even Wilshere could get an introduction if he plays his cards right, and performs like hell in the CC.
COme on, relax boys :) I don’t think we are that lost. And remember, things can happen in the January too!
In the third paragraph i of course meant to say that all those are areas we have class players.
few more
so could we possibly get appiah
3
2
400!!!