Due to popular demand, Young Guns will be covering Arsenal’s exploits in the League or Carling Cup this season. Read on to see what you can expect in the coming months.
In the coming weeks you can expect in depth coverage of the usually brilliant competition, including team news, Match Previews, Match Reports, and after game analysis. In this first article we will give a general insight to the Cup and it’s significance to Arsenal, as well as studying which youngsters could feature.
The Carling Cup is simply Arsène Wenger’s opportunity to give promising youngsters the chance to play in a first team environment, finding out if they can cut it with the big boys. It’s relaxed yet competitive nature means Wenger can play some of the young players who have previously impressed in the Cup, but are not currently in the first team.
It’s important to highlight before we start that the tournament is NOT an extension of the Reserves team, it’s primarily about second string first team players, and then Reserves to fill the gaps.
However, last year saw large numbers of Under 19 players competing, with several making it big time. Last year saw the Gunners reach the semi-finals, and despite that terrible defeat to Tottenham, it was the youngsters in the previous rounds who helped ease some of the pain.
Kieran Gibbs, Henri Lansbury, Fran Merida, Mark Randall, Vito Mannone, Gavin Hoyte, Nacer Barazite and Havard Nordtveit were all in the various squads last year, 5 of them made appearances, and the latter, Nordtveit, was penciled in to start against Newcastle until injury ruled him out at the last moment.
Wenger already knows what many of his charges can do, indeed, many of them featured over pre-season, with the Reserves playing at Barnet, and the Under 18’s at Huddersfield. Expect many of last years crop to now be pushing for starting places, including Randall and Merida. Vito Mannone is also expected to play between the sticks – as the third choice ‘Cup keeper’ idea continues.
But also the likes of Francis Coquelin, Kyle Bartley, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Jay Simpson and Rui Fonte will all be hoping for first team chances.
Sheffield United offer the first test tomorrow evening at the Emirates Stadium, they have proved some what of difficult opponents in the past, but after being on the end of a thrashing last year, a win is firmly expected.
Early team news is as follows, Francis Coquelin has been ill all week is doubtful to feature, but Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Aaron Ramsey will take heart from already being involved in the first team, they all should start. Carlos Vela and the in form Nicklas Bendtner should lead the line, with decisions still to be made on the flanks.
The boss could go with Simpson and Wilshere, or Simspon and Merida, or Wilshere and Merida, whoever plays should expected competition from Amaury Bischoff when he returns next month.
Predicted XI
Mannone
Djourou – G.Hoyte – Song – Gibbs
Simpson – Ramsey – Randall – Wilshere
Bendtner – Vela
Feel free to give your views on the Carling Cup and the team in the comment section, a more in depth Preview will be available tomorrow afternoon.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Take Mannone and Simpson out of that line up and replace them with Merida and Fabianski.
At what stage do you reckon Meridas at
is he ready for first team?
Merida definetly needs to be given a chance to impress in this match. He’s had very few first team chances so far.
Jamie, Frimpong and Coquelin are in the squad ;)
The team sould be:
Fabianski,
G.Hoyte, Bartley, Djourou (c), Gibbs
Lansbury, Randall, Ramsey, Wilshere
Bendtner, Vela
Bench: Mannone, Thomas, Frimpong, Coquelin, Merida, Fonte, Simpson
emmanual frimpong is in tomorrows team, i have it on good authoity from the man himself.
Id be really disappointed if Merida isnt involved from the start. After coming back from Real Sociedad he doesnt seem any closer to the first team. J, do you think Fran is still lacking in something which is prohibiting his development and if so, what area do you think he needs to improve and do you think he will be knocking on the first teams door later in the season?
thomas where did you get the squad from?
Surely Fabianski will start this. Why give your 3rd choice keeper
…a game before the 2nd choice has had a start
I think with the rate that the first team squads average age is dropping, it won’t be long before the CC is used to showcase our talent at under 12 level!!!
Sean is the team that I thought it would be to.
Thomas there are only 5 subs on a Carling Cup bench.
Is it live anywhere other than online?
I want to see more of fabi, ramsey, wilshere, merida and vela so i hope they all start, which it looks like they will.
Fonte is at a natonal team training camp with Portugal.
The game should be online somewhere, not sure how legal the streams would be though. If i find something legit, i will post it up tomorrow.
by the way, I think djourou will play in the middle and that lansbury will start a RB..
I wanna see…
Fabianski
Gibbs – LB
Hoyte – CB
Song – CB
Djourou – RB
Merida – LM
Ramsey – CM
Randell – CM
Wilshere – RM
Vela – ST
Simpson – ST
Fabianski
Gibbs – LB
Hoyte – CB
Song – CB
Djourou – RB
Merida – CM
Ramsey – CM
Randell – RM
Wilshire – LM
Vela – ST
Bendtner – ST
Bench – Mannone, Emanuel Thomas, Lansbury, Simpson, Fonte,
js who do u rate more merida or randall. i really like merida and hope he gets a start in the CC. having watched him in the U17 worldcup he was a talented player with great visoin and a great range of passing.
…………..Fabianski
G Hoyte…Song…Djourou…Gibbs
Wilshere..Ramsey..Randall..Merida
……….Vela….. Bendtner
I think they are different players really, Fran is a little slower but a better passer, Randall can get forward and score more.
But yes, Merida is very talented, i think he will get a chance this year.
GK: Fabianksi
CB:djourou
CB:G.hoyte
RB:Silvestre (if fit and needs match experience)
LB:Gibbs
CM:Ramsey
CM:Song
RM:Wonderkid Wilshere!
LM:Simpson (Not my first choice if traore wasnt on loan)
ST:Bendnter
ST:Vela
Subs: Merida, Mannone , Randell, Lansbury , Denilson , Nasri
Going to this and looking forward to it :D
arsenal.com claims no channel in the whole world will be broadcasting the game but you can watch it in repeat on Arsenal TV/ATVO from midnight (1:00 CET).
btw. I really hope that Simpson will be given a chance.
For me the stongest team we could field is
____________Fabianski
Hoyte____Djororu__Thomas__Gibbs
______________Song
Wilshire_____Ramsey___Randall__Merida
______________Vela
I would like to see Lansbury instead of Randall though but feel the above team is close to what le boss wil pick.
Fabianski
Hoyte RB
Djourou CB
Song CB
Wilshire LM
Ramsey CM
Merida CM
Lansbury RM
Vela
Bentdner
Are the tickets sold out yet?
I know there were some available still on the weekend
JS. why do u think mannone will be in goal? fabianski needs a game surely? there will be more first team palyers involved than u guys think.
JS do you honestly reckon that Thomas can come straight in at this level and do a job for us – or is it asking too much too early from him?
Gobbygooner – http://gobbygooners.blogspot.com/
Nice read J! I know it kinda goes against the principles of the blog but the kids have to grow up sometime.
I wanna see Merida, just like everyone else, and Simpson, but I’m not sure if either will start.
gobby: i know you asked j but my 2p says he’s just be on the bench for the start.
Hey ppl dnt think we shld play Ramsey & Randall in the centre midfield together as we need a strong ball winner type in there really like song/thomas/lansbury even. cos both of them are to smiliar. Shld be a gd game im going dwn to see it. Hope Merdia and and Vela start both exicting players.
Yes, last year when Lehmann was second choice, he was made to wait until the FA Cup to play.
The general rule is that the third choice players in the Carling Cup, and the second choice in the FA Cup.
No worries Samuel, players going into the first team is great, it helps the interest of the blog, and all the people who have followed them since they have been young can feel a little proud of the boys.
This is the end of RODGERS , STEER , DUNNE .
I feel if Simpson doesnt participate or even make the squad he will leave when you have players like frimpong who are rated ahead of dunne and is 2 years older , also Gibbs was not mentioned in arsene quotes online soo I dunno whats up
It’s remarkable that Wenger doesn’t name Jay Simpson among any of the players he’s talking about on the latest article on arsenal.com. I really hope he’ll play.
And he also said: You’re likely to see Abu Ogogo.’
I think Ogogo is shit. And Simpson should get a chance, he was voted the best player in League on for ffs.
Mr Sanderson,
I have said it before and i will say it again, I think this is the best and most professional arsenal blog on the net. Kudos to you dude.
Do you think Randall, Merida, or Lansbury will ever make it first team all seem to be a little stuck at the same point they were at a year ago?
Surely Fabianski will play??? No point giving Lehman matches in the kiddy cup last year, but fabianski still needs games, more so than mannone.
Very shocked to see Abu Ogogo in there, i personally prefer Paul Rodgers over Abu.
arsenehollis – Thank you very much mate, from reading Wenger’s quotes he looks like he will go with Fabianski, and leave Mannone in the Reserves.
What do you say about Simpsons chances to play now, JS?
Just because he didn’t mention him doesn’t mean anything, if i remember correctly he wasn’t spoken about ahead of the Barnet game and over pre-season, but he was still taken and did well.
The boss cannot say everybody’s names.
Thats crazy that the match isnt to be shown on tV!!! I bet its live in SA though!
I really hope he’ll get a chance
JS do you reckon fran will start now?
I feel strongly now that , James Dunne , Rene Steer wont make it and Paul Rodgers I feel were wasting a promsing prospect.Ogogo his performances in Reserves have been far from impressive especially considering what Drogba done to him.
Jay Simpson has done well so far in his Career , I feel if he dont play theres something behind close doors which no1 knows as Simpson has never played in a competitive match for Arsenal has hes 19 approaching 20 , and played 46 games for millwall last year and League one player of the year
WOW
im pretty sure that this will be the team or very simalier. mark my words
Fabianski
sagna
djourou
Song
Gibbs
Wilshere
Ramsey
Eboue
Theo
Vela
Bendtner
Theo wont play , I doubt Nicklas will complete 90 minutes , and eboue I doubt aswell
I don’t know he will manage it given Mr Ws statement re Song at CB but he needs one relatively experienced player in each dept of the team ie Fabianski, Djourou/Song, Song/?, Bendtner
theo will play. watch and see
Do you think Gilles Sunu might play after being left out of the U18’s match. Other than him i wanna see Henri, Aaron, Fran, Kieran, Fonter(maybe to partner Sunu) and of course, the next albeit left-footed, Joe cole, Jack Wilshere. P.s. thats just because i think he plays like him, i think he’ll be way better. But i do hope Sunu plays.
Emmanuel Yaw Frimpong is saying his in the team on his facebook page
Sanderson there is no ‘3rd choice keeper’ idea. Almunia was #1, Lehmann #2 and Fabianski was #3 but Wenger sees the cups as a learning curve so playing Lehmann, who’d be released in June, while neglecting Fabianski who needed games would have been silly, it wasn’t because he was 3rd choice, it was because he needed games while Lehmann didn;t.
2nd choice will play in the cup, not 3rd choice.
Fabianski
Djourou G Hoyte Song Gibbs
Wilshere Ramsey Denilson Fran (L)
Vela Bendtner
Hopefully.
Winning the pfa fans player of the year award for division one doesn’t mean and never will mean you are good enough for Arsenal. Frankly I’m tired of having to point this out to people, it should be blindingly obvious. Go ahead and look up who won it the year before Simpson, he was around the same age as Simpson when he won it, have a look at what he is doing now. Thats a reality check for you. The only other previous winners that have even made the premierleague are Earnshaw and Zamora and you wouldn’t want either of them anywhere near our team. Luke Beckett anyone? Thought not, but he won the football league player of the year award for division 1 and most people agree should of won the award Simpson got too. Winning that award, whilst fantastic for him to have done, means absolutely nothing in terms of Playing for Arsenal, please stop overrating it.
Mannone, Ogogo, Thomas, Lansbury, Randall, Frimpong, Simpson
Mannone won’t start. I’m not sure if Bendtner will start because at the moment he’s in better form than Van Persie and should be first choice against Hull based on his performance against Bolton. He may play 60 minutes or so but I would suspect that Simpson or probably Fonte will come off the bench to replace him if he starts.
I’m surprised that Silvestre isn’t in the squad. I’m all for playing reserves players in the CC but I don’t want us to get knocked out early and I don’t want it to become something where senior members become disappointed to be named in the squad.
How long does it take Van Persie to get fully match fit? I don’t remember him playing 90 minutes for us once this season. And why is Coquelin always injured? Bischoff, Coquelin and to a lesser extent Nasri-three more players in this summer who like to hog the treatment table (although Rosicky has had a firm grasp of it for the last couple of seasons).
Speaking of Bischoff, he should be back in a couple of weeks and will probably play the next carling cup game, that ought to be interesting.
Good post Pete, Simpson isn’t good enough and there’s a reason why Wilshere has been drafted into the first team ahead of him.
If he starts, in his non-faoured position, I’ll go mad, Wilts should be on the right.
Fabianski,
Djourou, G. Hoyte, Song (c), Gibbs
Wilshere, Randall, Ramsey, Simpson
Bendtner, Vela
Bench: Mannone, Thomas, Frimpong, Coquelin, Merida, Fonte, Agogo
You cant say simpson is not good enough, until he is given a first team chance and wastes it..put him in the deep end see if he can swim like young jack did , SAYIN HES NOT GOOD ENOUGH is a bit extreme
We will be very good.
Ogogo defo deserves a chance he clearly isn’t shit and is better than rodgers from what i have seen. Also he was our top appearanced player last season so he should be given a chance. And the fact drogba skinned him means nothing drogba has skinned tons of top international defenders including toure and gallas
Frichie, Arsenal.com says tickets are still onsale from the box office for the upper tier only £20/£10.
If you buy after 5pm tomorrow, they go up to £30/15.
Based on previous years, I think it is unlikely to be completely sold out.
Simpson just about keeps his head about water in the Reserves..
I worry Wenger will put out pure youth, Walcott should be on the bench. If we’re not winning, he can inject pass and danger into the final thrust, he should be ready just in case, he can always rest against Hull..
Song won’t be captain, Fabianski will.
Frank_Butcher, I see where you’re coming from but Theo and Vela are his age, who would you rather have in the first team? The fact is that he wasn’t even playing in the Championship, he was playing in League One and there’s a massive gulf in quality between the Premier League and League One. Even Wilshere’s ahead of him despite being three years younger. He can play as a striker or right midfielder but we have Bendtner, Theo, Vela, Wilshere and Nasri who are all of a similar age to him that can play in those positions.
I suspect Song, Djourou, Bendtner and Vela will start as well as Fabianski who all have experience against very good players. Wilshere and Ramsey also have some experience in the Premier League while all of the players have trained with the first team before.
But why keep him for so long , if he dont get to showcase what he has considering hes been there since he was nine he deserves to play at least one competitve match
arsenal official website have wenger words about this game, he may put youngest squad ever. from that the obvious who will be in the squad is fabianski, djourou, song, ramsey, wilshere, randall, merida, thomas, frimpong, vela, hoyte, ogugo, and bendtner just maybe? its soo freaking young. for once, i dont think we can guess correctly who will start the match. but i still wants to predict.
fabianski(c)
hoyte djourou thomas gibbs
wilshere ramsey randall merida
vela bendtner
sub: ogugo, mannone, frimpong, landsbury, simpson, nasri, silvestre
Hopefully Lansbury starts, and in his favoured position. I also want to see Wilshere on the right wing. Tomorrow’s game will be very cool. If we win it is a great confidence boost to our youngsters. Also they learn how it feels playing in front of a big crowd (hopefully).
Sheffield United have sold out all the away tickets they were given, so it’s gonna be a good atmosphere.
Wenger has already said last weekend that Silvestre and Nasri will only be back for Hull plus he will not play established 1st team players unless their comeback falls with a CC match.
Why would Wenger play a CB would has had [50 1st team games] at RB bcuz he of G Hoyte? G Hoyte will play at RB unless one of Song and Djourou doesnt start.
Djourou will captain the team surely
Whos Better ,
Fran Merida , Randall , Lansbury , Ramsey in CM
on teletext team it says team is from fabianski gibbs hoyte song djourou ramsey wilshere denilson randall bendtner vela mannone thomas lansbury merida simpson ogogo frimpong. Why no fonte?
I would say Ramsey is the closest to the first team atm and the best out of those four.
isn’t fonte on international duty or something?
randall86 hw accurate is that team
its on teletext on the arsenal section page 501 they are usually right with their squads for league games to be fair
IMO Fonte is just crap. Rhys Murphy is the real deal.
randall86//
Sky Sports?
sky sports what?
Yes, the channel you saw it on…
itv
okey.
I think the ‘senior'(!?!) players will start and then it will be a mix around them.
My prediction
Fabianski
Hoyte Djourou Song Gibbs
Wilshere Ramsey Randall Merida
Vela Bendtner
Subs: Mannone, thomas, agogo, landsbury, simpson (is it seven now as well? – if so then also frimpong and maybe silvestre)
What international thing is fonte at then? Is it a u19 friendly?
i think we would go with somethin like
Fabianski
Ogogo_______Djourou_____Hoyte_______Gibbs
Wilshere____Song______Ramsey______Merida
_______________Bendtner___________
_____________________C.Vela
OR
Fabianski
Hoyte_______Djourou_____Song_______Gibbs
Wilshere_____Ramsey____Randall_____Merida
____________Bendtner____________________
____________________C.Vela___________
Subs
Mannone
Ogogo
Lansbury
Thomas
7 subs are allowed not 5.
Team
Fabianski
Hoyte-Djourou-Song-Gibbs
Wilshere-Ramsey-Denilson-Randall
Bendtner-Vela
Subs Mannone,Ogogo,Lansbury,Merida,Thomas,Frimpong,Simpson
Mine is
Fabianski
Hoyte Djourou Song Gibbs
Randall Ramsey Merida Wilshere
Vela Bendtner
SUBS
J.Simpson
E.Frimpong
A.Ogogo
J.E.Thomas
V.Mannone
H.Lansbury
A couple of thoughts.
There’s plenty of midfield players to choose from in the squad and even those who don’t make the cut/aren’t available tonight. But not a lot of natural wide players – could be quite a narrow game we play and Simpson and/or Vela may end up playing wide late in the game.
Very impressed in the little I’ve seen of Frimpong – seems extremely strong for a kid and it says a lot for his potential if he’s in the squad without ever playing for the reserves. (And to answer someone above, there are 7 subs in CC.) Also sends a message to the 18 and 19 year olds that they have a limited time to make an impact or get overtaken and shipped out.
Re Ogogo/Rodgers – from what I’ve seen, Rodgers is the more determined and focussed, but Ogogo is a better athlete, which may be what appeals to Wenger.
JS – keep up great work with blog. Following today’s match, would be good to have a summary article on reserves and youths – and what their prospects are.
12. Carlos VELA (Age 19)
16. Aaron RAMSEY (Age 17)
17. Alex SONG (Age 21)
19. Jack WILSHERE (Age 16)
20. Johan DJOUROU (Age 21)
21. Lukasz FABIANSKI (GK) (Age 23)
24. Vito MANNONE (GK) (Age 20)
26. Nicklas BENDTNER (Age 20)
35. Francis COQUELIN (Age 17)
38. Jay EMMANUEL-THOMAS (Age 17)
40. Kieran GIBBS (Age 18)
41. Gavin HOYTE (Age 18)
42. Henri LANSBURY (Age 17)
43. Fran MERIDA (Age 18)
46. Abu OGOGO (Age 18)
47. Mark RANDALL (Age 18)
50. Jay SIMPSON (Age 19)
56. Emmanuel FRIMPONG (Age 16)
Wow, the line up is even younger than I thought it was going to be, I thought we might see Silvestre thrown in for a sprinkling of experience, but no, pure youth.
I predict this starting line-up:
Fabianski (c)
Hoyte – Djourou – Song – Gibbs
Simpson – Ramsey – Merida – Wilshere
Vela – Bendtner
The surprise there is that there is no room for Randall, but I can’t see him starting in place of any of those named in that midfield. Perhaps he will start in place of Simpson we will see in a few hours.
I love the Carling Cup :)
fabianski
hoyte djourou silvestre(c) gibbs
wilshere ramsey song merida
vela bendtner
subs: nasri, denilson, mannone, randall, lansbury.
Are there any live streams? Really want to watch the kids running around.
Fabianski,
Hoyte, Djourou, Song, Gibbs, Merida,
Ramsey, Le Coq, Wilshere,
Vela, Bendtner
I really really really wanna see Le Coq!!! :)