Arsenal Win The Zinédine Zidane Tournament In Cannes

Arsenal Under 16’s won the Zinedine Zidane Tournament on Sunday evening with a single goal from Benik Afobe handing the Gunners the prestigious title.

Steve Gatting handed a debut to new signing Ignasi Miquel in the final, as Arsenal reverted to a more defensive formation against Olympique Marseille. The fixture was there fourth in just three days in the French heat, but in a true test of character, Afobe proved decisive.

Mann
Byles – Nicholas – Miquel – Brisnal
Frimpong (c) – Aneke – Özyakup
Banton – Afobe – Freeman

Luke Freeman’s goal against Paris Saint-Germain gave them an opening day win, and a place in the knock out stages was secured with strikes from Emmanuel Frimpong and Benik Afobe versus OGC Nice. Charlie Mann’s double penalty save helped the Gunners reach the final – with Girondins Bordeaux next to fall – setting up Sunday’s exciting finale with Marseille.

Afobe’s cool finish notched Arsenal in front, a lead which they protected for the remainder of the game to secure the Cup win. Benik also walked away with the top scorer prize in a very impressive weekend for the club.

They arrived back in England yesterday afternoon, and are in action against Bristol City later this week.

Article By – J.Sanderson

22 thoughts on “Arsenal Win The Zinédine Zidane Tournament In Cannes

  • September 2, 2008 at 2:15 pm
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    well done to the boys!! 1st of many cups for some of these players I think..

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  • September 2, 2008 at 2:21 pm
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    so how ignasi miguel performance compare to other central defender?

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  • September 2, 2008 at 2:30 pm
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    Great news. We need to get the trophy winning mentality back in the club again.

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  • September 2, 2008 at 2:33 pm
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    any pictures of the new boys in an arsenal shirt

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  • September 2, 2008 at 2:35 pm
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    in other news youngguns finally works on google reader! yay! keep up the good work.

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  • September 2, 2008 at 2:40 pm
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    The future is bright as always!

    Once new FIFA rules are brought in about club debts every club will be trying to follow Arsenals example, and we will already be 10 years ahead of them.

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  • September 2, 2008 at 3:07 pm
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    Great result for the boys! and i really hope that FIFA does bring in this rule as arse&nose said, but my only worry is that money talks and can you really see Manure and especially Chel$ki getting thrown out of the CL?

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  • September 2, 2008 at 4:06 pm
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    Arse&Nose, FIFA would need to introduce salary caps or transfer limits (as well as banning clubs in debt) and despite that people like Abramovich can always offer the players some ‘bonus’ money outside of their wages. Oh and are Man City actually in debt or did their new owners pay it all off?

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  • September 2, 2008 at 4:09 pm
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    I dont think it really matters if they’ve paid the debts, if they keep buying players like Robiniho for £35m i wont be long before they are in the red again. As for Chel$ki they will always be in debt, i think the last figure i saw they lose about £30-40m a year.

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  • September 2, 2008 at 4:12 pm
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    well done boys…

    who was the star peformer out of our team….freeman??

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  • September 2, 2008 at 4:21 pm
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    he is the new jack wilshire

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  • September 2, 2008 at 4:31 pm
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    I dont think it really matters if they’ve paid the debts, if they keep buying players like Robiniho for £35m i wont be long before they are in the red again. As for Chel$ki they will always be in debt, i think the last figure i saw they lose about £30-40m a year.

    ronaldiniwho? said this on September 2, 2008 at 4:09 pm

    Umm… do you know how much money oil makes? £35m is pocket change. They are supposedly offering £130m for CRonaldo like its nothing. SWP should be put on suicide watch. They will be the first billion pound team I tells thee.

    Glad we have a fucking academy to fall back on when the LOLs stop.

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  • September 2, 2008 at 6:33 pm
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    Sanderson, do you know if a player called Neil Johnston played in the tournament at all?

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  • September 2, 2008 at 7:46 pm
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    Hi Jay,
    Don’t suppose you have the line-up for the semi-final do you? I know it was 1-1 with Afobe scoring our goal and that we won on pens, but don’t know who played.

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  • September 2, 2008 at 7:51 pm
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    Mann
    Byles – Nicholas – Brisnal
    Frimpong (c) – Aneke – Özyakup – Meade
    Banton – Afobe – Freeman

    There you go mate.

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  • September 2, 2008 at 9:12 pm
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    On a scale of 1 to 10, just how impressive is it that the u16’s have won the cannes tournament and the one in italy.

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  • September 2, 2008 at 11:18 pm
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    Thanks for the article J. Did Ignasi Miquel impress?

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  • September 3, 2008 at 4:21 am
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    Correct me if im wrong but isnt that 3 goals in 4 games for Afobe in this tournament. Sounds like a massive prospect, again, just cant wait to see him for myself now.

    Well done to the lads, it shows how far our development system has come on now we can go and play clubs who are known to produce great young players every season, and dont forget, its thanks to wenger.

    Reply
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