Whilst news of transfers dominates the headlines around Arsenal today, Neil Banfield’s Reserves kick off their season with a home clash against Chelsea.
The Gunners come into the game boasting a seven game unbeaten run in Reserves League South, a run extended to 11 fixtures in total over pre-season. But Chelsea will offer a stif challenge for Banfield’s boys, with The Blues also taking Youth development seriously in recent years.
Arsenal will boast a strong side which includes star midfielder Jack Wilshere. Fran Mérida, Mark Randall, Jay Simpson and Kieran Gibbs also feature, they all return to London after gaining experience on loan.
Wojciech Szczesny makes his bow as Reserves number one, in front of an athletic back four led by new skipper Gavin Hoyte. Francis Coquelin is being tipped for a big role in the team this year, he debuts in the centre of the park.
Confirmed Starting XI
Szczesny
Ogogo – Bartley – G.Hoyte (c) – Gibbs
Wilshere – Coquelin – Randall – Mérida
Fonte – Simpson
Subs – Shea, Thomas, Rodgers, Murphy, Dunne.
Chelsea will bring a squad packed with big names, with Didier Drogba reported to be set to start following injury. Exciting winger Scott Sinclair could face his England Under 19 colleague down the right flank in a new look side.
Both teams couldn’t be separated in this game last year, with Alexandre Song’s pile driver cancelled out by Franco Di Santo’s deft flick. Arguable both outfits are stronger this year, and a high quality game is in prospect.
The fixture is a 7pm kick off at Barnet’s Underhill Stadium, with the game being broadcast on Arsenal TV and Arsenal TV Online. Should you not be able to watch, a full Match Report will be available immediately after full time, with Photo’s to follow.
Prediction – Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Article By – J.Sanderson
why no landsbury in the squad? if dgrogba really play then gavin hoyte can make a name for himself if he managed to keep drog out of scoresheet.
Not sure mate, no Sunu either. Too many good, fit, players to choose from for this evening. It’s a strong well balanced side.
hes going on loan to crystal palace
Has Fran played much on the left? I dont take him as a winger. Im sure he has the dribbling ability but not sure on pace.
Think I may just have to watch this one tonight :)
nr790 – Who is? Sunu isn’t going anywhere.
Frichie – He prefers to play centrally because he is not very quick, but he is a great passer, and can crop up in the box.
he probably means lansbury
I thought Fonte was going back to Sporting Lisbon for the year J?
Randall needs to turn it on. his pre season was average but he is better than that. improvement needed from him.
Chelsea team:
——————-Taylor———————–
—Ofori-Twumasi–van Aanholt—–Bridcutt—-Bruma—
—Sinclair——–Magnay———Mellis—–Stoch–
—————-Drogba———-Tejera———–
Tejera is alot like Merida, but in my opnion Fran is better. Bartley and Hoyte are in for a tough night but it will be great experience for them Sinclair and Stoch are very quick and the lad who won football idol Magnay is playing in midifield.
I heard Lansbury was busy wrestling bears in France, but that’s just a rumour.
In all seriousness though, i wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of that starting XI to be withdrawn as some Championship clubs will undoubtedly enquire about getting them on loan.
Cheers Jay, good stuff. Bold prediction all the same!
Randall was average in pre season because he is an average player and always has been.Will probably not be any more than a championship player
lol does anyone want to see a fight wid ben arfa n diaby type inben arfa den go to date added on youtube fight from 12 but its in french i need sum1 to translate
You sure we are going to beat a team with Drogba in it? I know he needs match fitness and the rest of the team isn’t too special, but still, the best defenders in the world can’t handle him (on off days!), I’m really intruiged how our CBs do. May watch this one.
how come drogba is involved?i thought he is injured?
So Thomas is to sttart on the bench,yet he is good enough to start or the first team preseason. Doesnt make sense, surely he will start ahead of Coq or Randall
Nick P – Don’t start with the bears mate :D
gooonahoon – He is coming back from injury.
This is just one player for Chelsea, Gael Kakuta is injured so i believe this side has more than enough to get a result.
Thomas has been playing for the Under 18’s so is benched.
where is lansbury, his he going out on loan
Your Chelsea formation is completely wrong there jonty, it’ll be
——————-Taylor——————
Ofori-Twumasi—Bruma–Magnay—van Aanholt
——————————————-
—————-Bridcutt——————-
————————Tejera————-
————–Mellis————————
Stoch——————————Sinclair
——————-Drogba——————
of course that well known 4-1-1-1-2-1 formation Phil…. Must say I’m quite looking forward to tonights match, should be a good one. It will be a good experience for the kids to play against someone like Drogba.
It’s more of an argument between Diaby and Ben Arfa when they were younger. It looks like it might have been planned fight as the camera is so clear. How did they get hold of it?
lets see if hotye and bartley can deal with drogba’s strength…
is our midfield techniqually better than chelsea’s ??
i hear they got some promising midfield players there at chelsea
i want to see sinclir vs gibbs..will be interesting battle
If it’s a similar Chelsea side to the one that played Man U it’ll be a very strong one.
Coquelin will have to get hold of Tejeria, he is there main player in midfield and will be looking. to supply Sinclair Stoch and Drogba. I expect Simpson and Fonte to cause the Chelsea defence many problems with their pace and power. I expect it to be a game where the forwords are on top.
its going to be cool,seeing Drogba again after a while is just interesting.Blus 4 Life
if rene steer isn’t going to get much of a look in for the reserves and is to old for the u18’s, aren’t we best to loan him out to a lower league team to still get match time
I think Sunu is being rested after the U18s match on Saturday, so don’t be surprised if Jay Thomas isn’t used either. By the way, how come they don’t get 7 subs like in the Premier league?
any streams?
1-0!!! Great goal by Randall!!!! Cum on U Gunnerz!!
That was great piece of trickery by Randall in the box for the goal.
Oh N it’s D 11th minute :D
Am I allowed to do dis J???
Ooooohhh almost, great build up!!!
Off D upright by Fonte!!! Great shot!!!
Damn U whatever your name is, damn U!!! 1-1 42nd minute :(
http://de.justin.tv/chavstulmb
:(
Looks like we won’t be getting Iago Falque. He’s just been snapped up by Juventus.
great freekick by fonte
arsenal lost 3-2
gre goal from fonte
ne1 no who scored the goals in tonights game i started to watch it but had to go out if sum1 cud let me no please thanks
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