Arsenal’s Under 18’s surrendered their place at the top of Academy League Group A this morning after losing their first game of the season to a hard working Reading outfit.
The defeat leaves Steve Bould’s boys without a win in two games, and facing a difficult period before Christmas with games against West Ham, Chelsea, Fulham and Norwich in quick succession. Performances have been far from the Gunners usual standard in recent weeks, but star quality has seen them through by the skin of their teeth.
However, despite being able to call on Wojciech Szczesny between the sticks, an extremely young side was named by Bould to take on a productive Reading side, which has seen many youngsters graduate into the first team.
Rhema Obed, Oliver Nicholas, Sam Byles and Roarie Deacon all made their first starts of the campaign, Emmanuel Frimpong and Sanchez Watt shook of injuries to take their places in the starting XI.
Szczesny
Obed – Nicholas – Cruise – Evina
Byles – Frimpong – Rasmussen – Thomas (c)
Deacon – Watt
After a quiet start, the young Gunners found themselves behind for the first team this year – a real test of character for the young Gunners. But the impressive Roarie Deacon put the finishing touches to a flowing team move to level proceedings, the goal handed the momentum back to Arsenal.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas managed to bag his third of the season, but the inexperience in a tenacious Academy League showed through. Reading forced two goals in the second half to seal the game in there favour, giving the Royal’s there first 3 points of the term.
Whilst the Under 18’s went down 3-2, the Under 16’s had even less fortune, losing 4-2 in the Berkshire sunshine. Benik Afobe notched a brace for the Gunners, but it was in vein on a tricky morning for both Academy teams.
Article By – J.Sanderson
why would deacon start upfront instead of afobe?
Because he is a year older and has a scholarship, Benik is still a school boy whilst Deacon is now a full time scholar.
Sanderson, what have you heard about Merida? Is he still in Arsene’s plans? Haven’t heard much about him of late, considering the hype that first surrounded him as the next Cesc.
He has played in the last two Reserves game Kep, he is still in the plans. Comparing him to Cesc is stupid, he is his own player, i would expect to see him in the CC soon.
I said that Reading have some good young football players at that particular club
Yeah, and they are also willing to promote them. They have alot of talent bought from abroad though, but yes very promising, shame the first team isn’t as good :P
What happened to the ‘Next Henry’, Sunu? Is he injured again or being kept for the reserves fixture?
Sunu is not the next Thierry Henry and from what i saw of him at the UEFA U17’s Championships a couple of months ago he runs alot and looks a good team player but he does not look to have that X factor but he is still quiet young so he has time
Why wasn’t he playing? Kent Paul, Sunu didn;t have a great u17 championships, if you saw him in the match against derby reserves kast year or even the matches hes played this year, he has a whole bunch of that something and then some.
Sunu is more in the mould of a Cisse type player, big, strong, powerful and skillfull. Hopefully unlike cisse he can prove to also be a player who can hold a good run of form, although sadly so far he hasnt convinced in that area.
Some notables ommisions in that starting line up for the U18s, so may be some of them will the make the bench for CC match.
JS could you write an article about Ramsey and Randall ? From what I’ve heard, Mark seems a good player, he’s older than Ramsey and can play in the center better than Aaron IMO, how come does Wenger still use Aaron in the first team more than Mark ? I admit Ramsey is a good player and he created the 3rd goal of Ade at Ewood Park but I still think Randall can do the same. I look forward to the visit of Sheffield next Tuesday to see what our youngsters can do and hope that Randall won’t let us down. By the way, your blog is now getting more interesting. Great work, J.
I was at the U18 game and was quite disappointed with the performance. Before the game the team were being drilled by Steve Bould in quick, one touch, pass and move football which was great to watch. According to a Reading supporter Chelsea had cut them to ribbons with such football the previous week so I was looking forward to seeing the same from the Gunners but no … when the game started they were trying 30yd passes and blasting shots from way ouside the area! One down after 30 seconds the ‘young guns’ were not patient and soon were arguing with every referee and lino decision. The number 4 (Frimpong?) got booked for mouthing off and did not appear in the second half. Jay E Thomas is a really cool, collected player but no captain, he did not lead his team. After the equaliser the team began to play really well and show their skills and the Arsenal way of playing – Thomas’s goal to take the lead was brilliant close control. However, they left big gaps at the back and the pacy Reading forwards took advantage. After Reading equalised Arsenal lost their way again playinf frantic football looking for the winner they deserved but again left gaps at the back and Reading took the lead with only 15 seconds left. Kick off, five players forward and then the wistle. This team needs to learn patience and resiliance.
Johnny, what you forgot about, that Sunu has which Cisse maybe doesn’t is that electric pace. Add the pace to those attributes and you have an Henry like player. IMO
deacons a friend of mine jus wonderin j hw did he play n hu did he look lyk neva fort of him as a striker bt dats football lol
CC teams anyone
Just listening to Wenger’s Interview for Pre-Bolton, he said when asked about the CC starting again “I ‘m very excited because it will be the new generation with Wilshere Randall, Gibbs and so on”. I presume they those 3 players will start the game plus other definate starters like Djourou, Vela and Ramsey.
I also think Fabianski should still be starting because Mannone is still very young in 1st team goalkeeping terms.
Have to agree with jay frimpong thomas and watt all lost their heads and where more interested in moaning than playing. However both watt and thomas stood out in the second half though along with cruise to
Another two from Afobe eh.
Jay Thomas is on fire, what does he have to do to warrant a reserve place hes miles better then James Dunne