After coming from a goal down to edge out Manchester City in the first leg of the F.A Youth Cup Semi-Final at the City of Manchester Stadium, coach Steve Bould and midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong have both had their say on the win.
Bould was critical of the first half performance, but after a little bit of tinkering at the break, the Arsenal stalwart feels his young charges turned up the tempo effectively.
“I have to tell you, after the first half, I didn’t think we’d get this result. But at half-time I moved Jack behind the front two, and he looked very dangerous. Sanchez went out wide, and we needed some more urgency.”
When quizzed about how far the Gunners can go in the competition, Bould seemed bullish yet confident in his analysis.
“They’ve got some arrogance about them, which is sometimes a bit too much, but there’s a lot of character here. We’ve got lots of great attacking players, Sometimes defensively we’re not great, but we’re getting there.”
“Let’s hope we don’t get carried away and think it’s won, because it (the tie) is far from over.”
Emmanuel Frimpong put in another all action display in the centre of midfield, and whilst he didn’t have the best of games, the England Youth International knows the responsibility that comes with his position.
“I enjoy making tackles, its part of the game, you have to do it. The responsibly is down to me and Francis to get the ball back.”
“Most of us have been playing together since we were 9-years-old, so we all know about each others qualities.”
The 17-year-old finished with his analysis of the fixture.
“It shows the character of the team. In the first half I would have settled for a 2-0 defeat, but Steve talked to us at half time and explained where we were going wrong.”
“I think there was a lack of attitude in the first half, but they knew exactly how we were going to play.”
No confirmed date for the second leg has been set, although the 22nd of April has provisionally been penciled in.
*All quotes courtesy of Arsenal TV Online*
Article By – J.Sanderson
Ramsey was rested so he wasn’t on the bench for Hull – so of course he’s not going to be playing tonight either.
J, a couple questions:
The u18s have seem to have changed to playing 4-2-3-1 at the same time as the first team – is this because of either:
a) the lack of attacking options
b) pile up of midfielders deserving to play
c) a further attempt at settling into a future arsenal first team formation?
d) possible combo of these
Also, any info on the game at the Emirates? Can non members get tickets, and how much will they cost, etc. etc.?
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Interesting blog, I’ll try and spread the word.
J
Will Setanta or ArsenalTV be showing extended highlights of this game. Also, what will the TV coverage be for the 2nd leg?
Thanks
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i didnt see the match but its a fantastic result grat for the team
Samuel. I think it’s an indication of he future Arsenal formation.
This blog’s great!! Thanks :).