Arsenal’s Under 18’s avoided a potential banana skin this afternoon by salvaging a point against a talented and hard working Fulham outfit at Motspur Park.
Fulham have always offered a fantastic challenge to Bould’s boys – indeed, it took a late Thomas Cruise strike to rescue a point from the reserve fixture last year. Injuries and International commitments limited the Gunners options ahead of this one, but in form strike pair Luke Freeman and Roarie Deacon offered a dangerous strike force, they had 5 from the last 3 between them.
Shea
Obed – Blackwood – Bartley – Evina
Frimpong – Ayling (c) – Eastmond – Rasmussen
Deacon – Freeman
Subs – Sam Byles – Benik Afobe
The early stages were of a physical and scrappy nature, the new formation was clearly being adjusted to by the youngsters. The competitive style of some of the challenges added up to a great spectacle, until two mistimed and dangerous collisions robbed Arsenal of the services of goalkeeper James Shea and striker Luke Freeman.
Luke Ayling was forced to play between the sticks, Sam Byles took his place in the middle. Freeman’s injury meant Benik Afobe was free to make his debut up front, his impressive form finally warranting a promotion.
The horrendous bad luck would continue as Fulham snatched the lead, and despite some rallying from the visitors, Gary Brazil’s team took the advantage into the half time interval.
However, one of the Gunners’ most vital weapons in recent weeks had been the team talk at the break, Bould’s wise words paid dividends as Benik Afobe thumped a firm header into the corner to level the game, setting up an exciting finish.
Afobe and Rasmussen had Fulham scrambling to hold on, before Benik’s neat effort was cleared off the goal line with the keeper’ beaten. It finished 1-1 at Motspur Park, a potential defeat was safely avoided, butt Arsenal will feel disappointed they had failed to take the points late on.
Article By – J.Sanderson
I take it afobe is going to be really special i haven’t seen him play but he always seems to score and impress
He seems like a goal machine!Hows hes alround game?
A young man heading for the very top!. He is just a finisher, composed and so lethal.
Afobe seems really good, but Lupoli also had an amazing goal scoring record. So i’ll wait until I’ve seen him play a couple of times before I judge him..
How many goals has he got this season and in how many games
This site is more than a blog, you should move it away from wordpress.
Afobe seems really good, but Lupoli also had an amazing goal scoring record. So i’ll wait until I’ve seen him play a couple of times before I judge him..
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didn’t bendtner get better record than lupoli? i’m just collecting his reserve stats in 0506 (haven’t finished yet). it looks amazing that he had either goal or assist or both every game. bendy was very impressive when he was subbed on for rvp in cc game against doncaster 2 seasons ago. I knew he would make it here at that moment.
why is there only 2 subs for the game?
just added Jack Wilshere as a friend on FACEBOOK. OMFG!
Great game..very dramatic..we should’ve won it easily…before their stupid goal. That leveler was even lucky..I guess it’s same old Arsenal from first-team to kids.
http://arsenalspot.webs.com
Benik is a level above Lupoli!He has everything!Pace,power,touch and scores goals with head and both feet.
I made a Facebook account too yesterday and the first thing I did was search Jack Wilshere lol. Which one is he? There’s like five people named Jack Wilshere!
There doesn’t have to be a set amount, it’s just we only had two extra players fit.
I’m intrigued to hear about Luke Ayling who had a good match at right back for the reserves the other day. He played centre mid today for a while. How good is he at the moment and how did he play in goal?
Afobe looks to have everything and he scored a header too according to Arsenal.com. I hope he improves his link up and movement though.
BloodBore8, Hes the one with the picture of him in the home shirt and he’s running. You should check the friends of the people. I’ve got Sanchez Watt and BENIK AFOBE TOO! LOL
Yeah, I sent him a message asking him if he was the real “Jack Wilshere” and saying that I’m the biggest Arsenal fan ever blah blah blah…no reply yet though.
Thx, Velahattrick
is there really any chance it is wilshere not someone messing about though
I think Wenger want Afobe at Colney to work with him more and may be some 1st team training once a while because all U18s, reserves and 1st team are based there unlike U16s based at Hale End. Isnt him and Aneke very big for 16 yr old.
I think Wenger want Afobe at Colney to work with him more and may be some 1st team training once a while because all U18s, reserves and 1st team are based there unlike U16s based at Hale End. Isnt him and Aneke very big for 15 yr old.
how tall is benik?
Benik is 5ft 10″ and will be playing in the u18’s as soon as he is 16.
How come Sunu and Coquelin didn’t play? Is Sunu about 6ft 2 now? I heard that he’d grown 3 inches plus. And he used to be 180cm tall which is 5ft 11, so by the math i get 6’2, because he doesn’t seem as stocky this year as he did last.
until two mistimed and dangerous collisions robbed Arsenal of the services of goalkeeper James Shea and striker Luke Freeman.
–are they alright? after henderson/watt, we really don’t need any more talents out.
SO STOKED ‘BOUT AFOBE.
is zac ansah good?