Arsenal’s Under 18’s took on Manchester City’s Under 18’s in the first leg of the F.A Youth Cup Semi-Final this evening, with both sides looking to establish a firm advantage ahead of the second leg at Emirates Stadium.
Steve Bould’s young charges knew they faced a massive task ahead of kick off, with City being unbeaten in their last 21 youth games, and being the current Cup holders. An exciting evening of football was certainly on the cards.
Arsenal Starting XI
Shea
Eastmond – Ayling – Bartley – Cruise
Coquelin – Frimpong
Wilshere – Thomas – Watt
Sunu
Subs – Mann – Evina – Freeman – Deacon – Afobe
Match Report – Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City
The fixture kicked off in a strange manner. The 19,000 mixed crowd from the previous round was reduced to just one stand of 2,500 City fans, meaning the atmosphere was significantly affected.
The Gunners settled to the task quickly. Gilles Sunu bullied himself through the Manchester City back-line to work himself space, but the lack luster finish didn’t deserve the excellent build up.
The hosts, buoyed by the crowd, then found their feet, and with it, their dangerous form. Ahmad Benali won the first corner of the evening, but it came to nothing when Robert Mak was adjudged to have climbed over James Shea.
A second quick fire attack almost brought the opener. The Robinho-esque Alex Nimely-Tchuimeni exploded out from midfield, and had Shea at full stretch. But there was nothing the Arsenal number one could do about the next attack, as Gregory Cunningham slammed an effort of his cross bar.
Emmanuel Frimpong did his best to break the play up, but a rash challenge too far landed the Ghanaian born powerhouse a needless booking.
Eastmond’s deep cross was nearly stabbed home by Sunu on the half hour mark, before Dedryk Boyata clipped a simple header just over. The pressure was beginning to mount on the Gunners, and it almost tolled when the aforementioned Eastmond was forced to kick the ball off the line.
Coquelin was then complaining of an ankle injury following a 50:50 in the air, and in the after math, Man City punished the static visitors. Alex Nimely-Tchuimen was the grateful recipient of Chantler’s ball over the top, and as Shea advanced, the diminutive play-maker lashed home via the post.
Goal – Alex Nimely-Tchuimen (41)
Another of Steve Bould’s famous half time team talks was needed.
Half Time – Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City
The second period began with the same nervousness that the first did. Yet once more it was Arsenal who broke forward first.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas stepped out of midfield and lashed a 25 yard drive over, before Sanchez Watt wasted a good chance to shoot after tidy work from Sunu on the left.
Bould’s boys were struggling for attacking options. Sunu had his back to goal all evening, and cut a frustrated figure as time ticked down.
Wilshere then exploded into life. He firstly teed up Coquelin who won the first corner of the evening for the visitors, and secondly nearly managed to pick out Sunu with a jinking run through the middle.
Frimpong then had his manager fuming after attempting a long range shot despite admitting he’s shooting isn’t very accurate, but the Gunners were finding their feet again.
Luke Ayling then smashed the post, before eventually, the goal came. Jack Wilshere’s dipping corner was glanced in at the near post by skipper Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, to hand his team a vital away goal.
Goal – Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (72)
Man City were then pushed onto the ropes. Coquelin headed a Wilshere cross off the bar, and with the first leg coming to a close, it was Arsenal who looked certain to go and bag a second.
With 8 minutes left, the second and decisive goal arrived. Gilles Sunu showed quick feet in the box to work enough space for a shot, the resulting effort curled neatly inside Clegg and into the bottom corner.
Goal – Gilles Sunu (82)
Emmanuel-Thomas nearly made it a third quick fire goal on 85 minutes when he smashed a free-kick from 25 yards off the top of the bar. Just like yesterday’s Cup clash, the turn around saw tempers boil.
Sanchez Watt could have walked for a two footed challenge on Omar Elabdellaoui, but only a yellow was given.
The three minutes of injury time ticked past unnoticed – just as Arsenal would have hoped. The late show again rescues their season, and puts the young Gunners in prime position ahead of April’s second leg.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Brilliant.
Emmanuel-Thomas nearly made it a third quick fire goal on 85 minutes when he smashed a free-kick from 25 yards off the top of the bar. Just like yesterday’s Cup clash, the turn around saw tempers boil.
Sanchez Watt could have walked for a two footed challenge on Omar Elabdellaoui, but only a yellow was given.
The three minutes of injury time ticked past unnoticed – just as Arsenal would have hoped. The late show again rescues their se
Go on lads:)
Super comeback. But our bench seems weak. We invariably play the whole match without substitutions. Are Ramsey and Merida in eligible to play ?
is it away goals rule
thats fast
good work mr.sanderson
good stuff
just some observations from watching the highlights of various matches over the last 2 weeks. Frimpong seems to gett alot of good press here and other places, but whenever i’ve watched him he’s been pretty poor. gave the ball away many times against Bristol City, and a couple of times in very dangerous positions. does he really have it in him to succeed – Thomas played way better than him, and seems a better bet to maybe break through, even allowing for him being slightly older.
Secondly, and only speaking from recent matches, but eastmond seems to be underrated, or at least unsung. he played pretty well, and also brings the ball out of defense with alot of confidence. he doesn’t make many headlines, but wouldn’t mind knowing what you think of him.
Finally afobe – is he going to be part of the u18 squad? he must be close to laying a claim for at least a place on the bench? what do you think?
Thanks J. Well done boys. Arsenal FA Cup double still possible.
Your all der-brains, you suckers!!!!!!!!!
just some observations from watching the highlights of various matches over the last 2 weeks. Frimpong seems to gett alot of good press here and other places, but whenever i’ve watched him he’s been pretty poor. gave the ball away many times against Bristol City, and a couple of times in very dangerous positions. does he really have it in him to succeed – Thomas played way better than him, and seems a better bet to maybe break through, even allowing for him being slightly older.
Secondly, and only speaking from recent matches, but eastmond seems to be underrated, or at least unsung. he played pretty well, and also brings the ball out of defense with alot of confidence. he doesn’t make many headlines, but wouldn’t mind knowing what you think of him.
Finally afobe – is he going to be part of the u18 squad? he must be close to laying a claim for at least a place on the bench? what do you think?!
I own!
Sorry, i did a duplicate
Steve bould on arsenal tv online live, he said that he changed the formation from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4[diamond]-2 with Wilshere ahead of that mdfield that diamond, consequently he said Wilshere dictated the game, helped our fluidity of movement and defence.
He also said they will tempering any chance of our boys getting carried away. Also Nimely was brilliant in the 1st-half and Robert Mak has alot pace according to the commentator so we must prepared for them in the 2nd leg.
Any details of the 2nd leg available yet?
Come on the Arsenal!!!!!!!!1
Come on the Arsenal!!!!!!!!
Ramsey is eligible but Merida is not. I guess they figure Ramsey too involved with the first team to play him. Wilshere probably wouldn’t be playing if he’d be playing as much as you expected him to at the beginning of the season. How did players do individually?
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Frimpong & Bould Quotes :)
http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2009/03/18/frimpong-bould-on-the-youth-cup-win-over-city/
City should have had the tie sewn up by half time and were unlucky to be only 1-0 up.Poor tactics in the second half by the cup holders saw arsenal grow in confidance with two goals.
This tie is not over so save your self congratulations. This is our third semi final in the youth cup on the run and we are strong enough to turn this tie in the away leg.
Interesting blog, I’ll try and spread the word.
good job guys..:)
How does JET get so many goals?? its mental
what happened at the end of the game?
seemed like a bit of a bust up in the centre circle with a few punches being thrown. there were cameras there. do you think there’ll be an investigation?
P.S. well done for the lads coming over and thanking the away support, i think led by Ayling.
it was emmanuel thomas’ goal. it was an own goal.
@ Elliot, JET get alot of goals @ U18 level because he alot more physically developed than players @ that level but also because he is talented, he is a Diaby carbon copy, same qualities and same weaknesses. If he want to play for Arsenal in the long term, he must first improve his concentration level then the other weaknesses.
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I was really impressed with the way the team played, especially the 2nd half as we could’ve scored more than 2. I’m lokking forward to seeing them finish the job. I hope it’s on tv as I’m not sure I’ll be able to make the game.