Arsenal Reserves brought their campaign to a close this evening with the final installment of a double header against West Brom. Having played out a stalemate just five days ago, Neil Banfield made four changes to the XI that lost the lead after a stunning Merida opener. West Brom also switched their side around, with eight youngster coming in for the visitors.
Crucially, goal getter’s Rhys Murphy and Gilles Sunu were two of the four changes along with Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong in a youthful yet attacking formation. It promised to be a thrilling end to the season.
Mannone
Ogogo – Bartley (c) – Miquel – Steer
Randall
Watt – Coquelin – Frimpong – Sunu
Murphy
Subs: – Shea – Eastmond – Ayling – Evina – Thomas
West Brom kicked things off in their yellow shirts, navy shorts and yellow socks, against Arsenal in red and white shirts, white shorts and red and white socks in front of a small crowd at a gleaming Underhill stadium.
After a scrappy start from both sides, it was West Brom who forced the first meaningful attack. Two corners in quick succession saw questions issued to stand in skipper Kyle Bartley, but in typical fashion the giant centre back ended any opportunity for a goal scoring chance. It was the perfect answer.
But on 9 minutes the home back four was tested once more, and it took intervention from Vito Mannone to deny a certain goal. 15-year-old Saido Berahino cut inside and lashed a firm shot at the Italian from 6 yards. It was a vital early stop.
The quarter period of the game passed by with little action – the end-of-season syndrome was clearly affecting both teams. However, on 22 minutes a nothing ball around the back saw Bartley trip Berahino on the dead ball line and concede a clumsy penalty. Berahino dusted himself off and took it, yet the confident youngster had his powerful drive tipped wide by Mannone, who jumped up and smashed through Bartley and Randall to tip away the rebound.
The midfield battle needed to be won by either side in order to gain full control, but in truth neither side looked like taking the baton and running with it. Sanchez Watt had a long range drive which worried the Baggies number one on 34 minutes, and it was the final and most notable chance of the half.
Half Time – Arsenal 0-0 West Brom
Arsenal reorganised at the break and looked an instant threat. Mark Randall had a dipping drive go inches over just 10 seconds after the restart, and the energetic midfielder saw a powerful volley suffer the same outcome 4 minutes later. The 19-year-old had began the half dangerously.
Gilles Sunu then went on a mazy run towards the box yet was clipped over 25 yards out. The talented Randall pushed his way to the front of the queue to take the free kick, and with the Baggies expecting another powerful curler, the Gunners number 4 steered a low drive inside the visitors wall and into the near post. It was a brilliant opener from Randall.
Goal – Mark Randall (50)
With the goal scored and with Arsenal’s Under 18’s having two big finals coming up, Neil Banfield switched his charges. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas replaced Rhys Murphy, and Luke Ayling went to partner Ignasi Miquel in place of Kyle Bartley. The goal getter Randall reclaimed the armband.
The strike had given the Gunners complete control and with it their visitors were becoming shaky. Randall and Sunu had quick fire drives beaten out before Watt shrugged off the last man and almost clipped home the second.
West Brom’s back line was beginging to open up, and on 63 minutes the cracks grew so wide that a cheeky turn from Emmanuel-Thomas took out two centre backs allowing the leggy midfielder the chance for a one-on-one shot, which he coolly slid inside the post. The Baggies confidence was shattered.
Goal – Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (63)
Once more a goal brought a substitution – this time it was Cedric Evina for Emmanuel Frimpong. A professional finish to the encounter was on the cards as West Brom began to tire, but Banfield’s boys had more goals on the mind. Emmanuel-Thomas and Watt both had chances and in truth it could have been double figured based on the final 20 minutes alone.
A late rally should have brought the third, but it finished 2-0.
So Arsenal Reserves finish the campaign in 6th place and with their first win of 2009. There has been much promise this season, and this crop of boys look set to improve ahead of next years title push.
Article By – J.Sanderson
great job J, you`re simply the Best :D greetings from Bosnia :D
looks like coquelin and frimpong didn`t amaze this night…as I`ve got used to you noting them specially :D
yippe
I caught the game around the 70thmin. mark and I must say for a big guy Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has got some serious skill on the ball!
A long overdue win
Banfield said that Randall will need to have a good preseason and go on loan next year. Jay Thomas makes himself noticed, but needs to learn about other aspects of the game. I’m not sure what Neil is refering to about Thomas.
why was randall not captain?
I see Bartley was captain. What are the chances of him playing with the first team next year?
West Brom fan here. Was a decent game, feel free to send us some decent loan players next season instead of poor players like Simpson. He thinks he will cut it at Arsenal, how embarrasing.
Graham
I think Neil Banfield ment that Jay Emmanuel Thomas has a tendency to switch of mentaly during a game, which he does do from time to time IMO.
I heard Fulham was looking for taking Randall on loan next season.
Kyle bartley is the real captain of the team and looks a real leader. Do you think he is good enough for the first team?
in aninterview from the arsenal vs chelsea programme, liam brady said bartley should be looking to go on loan next season to really test himself and because he is ready. he said he should go to a league one or two side to get used to physical, in your face kind of football.
Where were the likes of Merida, Bischoff and Fonte? And what about the other players who have returned from loan like Hoyte and Barazite (he was at the game)
they will all certainly be involved with the senior team the next couple of games, since thay don’t have anything to play for. I mean, the run is ended, the 4th place secured etc.
i really like the look of frimpong and bartley. they look like the two players we need in our first team. i have only seen them play on a couple of occasions. do they have what it takes?
For me Luke Ayling should be the captain hes communicates, puts his body in the line he reminds me of john terry. Hes a really hard agressive centre half. Miguel, Bartley, nordveit are more elegant. Ayling a proper hard man, like vidic.
Mark Randall today was very good now i know why wenger rates him highly. Hes definitely got the ability to play for arsenl he just needs to go on loan to a premiership club
hey are u gonna have player ratings like u did for the last game?
Why was Merida dropped from the squad?
Do you think Merida and Bischoff’s absence might mean they will be involved against United this weekend?
What? Why was Merida dropped? Anyways drop me a line at janice_iz@yahoo.com if you into dem azn girls ^^
Vincent van den Berg is currently having a trial at Sparta Youths.
randall convinced me that hes a very good player.
we may as well play our reserves on Saturday to have an excuse when we lose!
ye stone I reckon you hav got a fair point there coz they both played against pompey. Was Wenger at the reserve game yesterday?
Crocker93 – He wasn’t there yesterday, Pat Rice was though.
AD7 – How do you actually know that.
He’s AD7
Because I was at the match.
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You rockkkkkk
The Gunnerz is hoot…!!!!