Neil Banfield’s struggling Reserves are back in action this evening, as the first of two North London derby’s offers his young charges the opportunity to break their recent baron run.
Arsenal are yet to win in 2009, and are without a goal in 4 fixtures, but form counts for nothing when it comes to NLD’s. The Tottenham double header means it will be 5 consecutive games against London clubs, and despite the awful recent run of form, the close proximity of the sides has made for a decent atmosphere for such a level of football.
In terms of team news, Spurs have followed the Gunners in loaning out several of their starlets, including leading marksman Jon Obika. Arsenal don’t include Czech skipper Tomas Rosicky, but they do benefit from the slight experience of Fran Merida, Amaury Bischoff and stand in captain Mark Randall. Wenger also moved to deny reports that Rosicky could be back for the reverse clash in 5 days time.
“Tomas Rosicky, at the moment, is not close to coming back. We have to be very patient,”
James Shea will start in goal, as Neil Banfield names only one goalkeeper in the squad. In front will be the Youth Cup back four, including Craig Eastmond who had a nightmare in the cup game where Amos Townsend ran riot.
Predicted Starting XI
Shea
Eastmond – Ayling – Bartley – Cruise
Watt – Randall (c) – Merida – Thomas
Bischoff
Sunu
Prediction – Arsenal 1-0 Tottenham
Coverage is live via Arsenal TV and TV Online, as well as Setanta Sports. Kick off is at 7pm GMT.
Article By – J.Sanderson
What no Frimpong? If that’s really the case they’ll have to get rid of Randal to make way.
Where is Wilshere?
Is Frimpong Injured?
I see there is no Francis Coquelin as well…….
J why is there no Wilshere, i thought he was fully fit??
Please shed some light on this
If Rosicky isn’t fit to play by the time the new season kicks off in August then I think Wenger should hand the guy his P45. I know its not his fault that he has had such rotten luck with injuries but Arsenal is a football club not a hospital and we are nothing with players who can’t play.
jack wilshere is dead.
I’d imagine a few of the players are being rested for the 2nd leg of the Youth Cup against Man City.
WIth many injuries in the 1st team, Wilshere has probaby been pulled out for the reserves for the Wigan game.
Supergunner07 i dont think so because we’re well covered in the attacking department for the first team
have we just been seriously overrating the likes of
coquelin
frimpong
wilshere
and they are not good enough to get in the team?? Or are they injured or something.
Frimpong isn’t overrated. But I can’t see Watt playing. Best pay off his contract.
jack wilshere is dead.
bertie wooster said this on April 9, 2009 at 3:59 pm
And do you think that is funny you moron
any streams
im sorry tunde, you’re right. congratulations, you’re truly insightful.
Finished. What was the score? Heard we were 3-0 down for around the middle…
we keep losing because the team has too many very weak players in it. there are some excellent players but they cannot do it with players like Randall, Eastmond, Cruise and Shea. we are missing wilshere, barazite and coquelin. you need your strong players like spurs had tonight if you really want to win these games.
Nah…we keep losing cos we got no strikers. Sunu is the closest thing we have to a striker that’s fit at the moment and he started on the bench. An absolutely appalling performance. I wonder about Neil Banfield. What’s he playing at?
Anybody who thinks that Jack Wilshere is overrated is an idiot.
Has Banfield got something against strikers? The total wanker seems intent on playing 1-4-6-0. Fucking idiot must do those kids morals more harm than good.What is it now, 5 games without a goal and still that retard Banfield hasn’t the brains to think “maybe we need a striker”. Total incompetent fucking idiot in charge of the reserves.
We did loose 3-0 with the goals comming from Gilberto on 10 minutes by a free kick, then Tottenham Hotspurs got there second of the night through Ryan Mason and again it was by a free kick on 63 minutes, the they got there third and final goal of the night with a cool finish from Jake Livermore on 76 minutes to complete the 3-0 rout.
Jamie i have some pics from tonight for u and some short videos holla at me at facebook bless
Deacon, Afobe, Freeman….three promising young strikers (well Deacon’s more of a winger)…..give em a chance ffs! Ha! I had to chip in again.
Is Rhys Murphy injured?
rosicky should retire….im sorry
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banfield is not a twat. Its no suprise our reserves are struggling now we don’t have traore barazite hoyte rodgers steer nordveit ogogo fonte lansbury simpson etc and often wilshere manone gibbs.
It´s not about winning junior leauges. It´s about educating senior players. May be in the future when the senior squad has grown older, we can top our younger teams…
Frimpong started like a future England star and I was about to belatedly give him that status. And then he took his bloody foot off the peddle. He’s really got to maintain the fight and fire instead of poncing about like the others.
thomas was nowhere the whole game.
Seems strange for a club that has a philosophy so strongly directed towards blooding in youngsters that you’d have a reserve team coach who a lot of people think is clueless…
hi…nice blog…compliments…
visit mine and let me know if you want to make an exchange of links…
best regards from italy
J! An article about who is likely to be back-up centreback before Villareal please?!? Now Djourou and Gallas are both out w/ knee ligament damage and Silvestre being quite the unreliable sicknote… WHO COMES IN? Thomas maybe? Bartley? Song already has a different first team position cemented these days.
It’s an opportunity I hope one of the kids can take full advantage of (and quite a shame half of our reserves are on loan!)
J, how about some reports you’ve missed like this one and the U18’s.
Have ayling and bartley any chance to make the bench or first team now when gallas and djuroue is injured? Silvestre was absolutely horrible today!! I hope song play instead of silvestre.
J, how is howie doing in norway? No reports?
Mabey he is on holiday?.
na j doesn’t holiday hes a machine… but yes loan reports too :(:(:(:( whats happenin to my life arrgghhh
He’s away with work as far as I’m aware.
Roumers sais he´s kidnapped by the easter bunny…
he is the easter bunny..