Arsenal’s Under 18’s kicked off their pre-season on Saturday morning with a 6-0 rout over Plymouth Argyle’s exciting Academy side at London Colney.
The fixture proved to a solid run out for Steve Bould’s boys ahead of last night’s 3-2 win over Lincoln City at Sincil Bank. Plymouth began well against the Gunners and pressed hard in the early stages. Liam Head teed up Luke Young who just slid an effort over, before Young went even closer 12 minutes later.
As the half ticked down, Arsenal stepped up a gear and showed their superior fitness. Luke Freeman struck in the 40th minute to put the hosts in front before he doubled his tally 60 seconds later. It meant that Bould’s outfit went into the break with a tidy lead.
The tidy lead developed into a healthy one after the break when Freeman completed his hat-trick and added another to boot. That was sandwiched in between a Chuks Aneke double, showing he’s got bright prospects ahead of the coming campaign.
Freeman’s impressive performance came after his manager lauded his work rate and enthusiasm and tipped the former Gillingham starlet to be abig force next term.
“Luke trains like a trooper and gives it nothing but his best every day.”
“He’s got decent pace and is a good finisher, as we saw last season. We’ve seen him improve month by month in his year and a half here – he had to adapt from lower league football – adjusting to a short passing game, and has got to grips with it very well.
“In terms of things he can improve I’d look at his hold-up play, but I’m pleased with his progress. This season should be a good season for him to truly step up onto the FA Youth Cup stage, and hopefully make his way into the Reserve team picture.”
All in all it was a fantastic run out for some of last year’s Under 16’s who will be aiming to step up a level this term. The Premier Academy League and F.A Youth Cup trophies look to be in good hands ahead of the coming season.
Goals –
Luke Freeman – (4)
Chuks Aneke (2)
Article By – J.Sanderson
How was the lineup?
Luke freeman is a goal scorer i really like him i think hes better than afobe
Was Afobe playing J? I havent heard anything about him all preseason!!
Afobe kind of reminds of nathan delfouenso. Quite similar players
Everyone please note that the quotes on Freeman come from Arsenal’s official magazine.
I’ve heard reports Nasri has bust his leg. Is it true?!?
The injury curse strikes again, surely Mr Wenger will buy a midfielder now!
“Phillipe Senderos was late in a challenge during training this morning unfortunately he caught Samir and he was taken to hospital, our wishes are now with Samir to make a speedy recovery”
Arsenal Press Officer
Gooner – Yep.
Afobe was playing yep, and I’ll bring the rest of the lineup when I can get it confirmed.
poor Samir Nasri
poor Phillipe Senderos he must feel like shit couldnt he be late in a tackle on drogba and hurt him shame hopefully nasri isnt out for too long i heard to 2 3 months
Arseman – where did you hear it was Senderos?
it was diaby ,he hurt himself in a tackle on diaby.
Really sad news, wander if Barazite may get called up to replace him.
http://www.uefa.com/Live/Competitions/under19/MatchCentreLight/matchday=1/day=1/match=2001222/index.html
Can anyone catergorically clarify how Samir Nasri broke his leg!
Senderos? I fought it was diaby. YH barazite might play just watched his interview on Arsenal tv online the last question what waas your target. He replied to start an arsenal game in the premiership. Maybe this tackle was done yesterday and today they found out thier results
http://www.kleinezeitung.at/system/galleries_520x335/upload/0/2/2/2085394/nasri726gepa210709.jpg
Heres the pic of nasri injured
im friends with some of the u16s and they said afobe got injured after only 5 minutes of the game that is probably why he didnt play yesterday for the ressies
It always amuses me to see kneejerk reactions based on the last game. The herbert above who said “Freeman is better than Afobe” is just one example.
Nah LSOE its my opinion i have seen them both play for England. I havent been impressed with afobe. Been more impressed with freeman he looks more of a goal scorer. Hes more of a goal poacher than afobe. I think freeman has scored more goals than afobe
henry wasnt a poacher john, but we all preffered him to rvn. Its such a shame that all these players wont be able to make it out arsenal, only maybe 2 at the most will make it out of sunu, murphy, freeman and afobe.
Scored more goals for who? England, I think they’re level pegging, certainly in recent games they have been. And Afobe outscored Freeman for Arsenal this year. I’d personally say that Afobe is more of a goal-poacher, whereas Freeman is more of a classy player.
Afobe reminds me of Martins – very direct and powerful, but not particuarly inventive. That wasn’t an overall criticism, I think he’ll do well, whether at Arsenal or not. Freeman seems like a more inteligent player, but with lesser physical attributes. There’s no particular part of his game which really grabs my attention, but he knows how to use what he has to good effect.
Randall starting for derby tonight
Salamanca’s 15-year-old defender Diego Caballo is being tracked by Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.
This was on the daily mail’s website. If hes that good surely we would get 1st choice.
Afobe and Freeman are both good strikers and dont need shortsighted adults arguing about who is the better player. Grow up these guys are 16/17 yr old and your opinions are like arseholes, everyones got one.
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Dear John
Freeman wont make it.
Love
LSOE
LSOE the term ‘won’t make it is very ambiguous’. What, in Freeman’s case would you call ‘making it’?
*’won’t make it’ is very ambiguous
did anyone see the game today ? how good was our jack?
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[…] Arsenal 6-0 Plymouth – Friendly – Report Arsenal’s Under 18’s kicked off their pre-season on Saturday morning with a 6-0 rout over Plymouth […] […]
P.S. – Sorry, forgot to tell you great post!
Re: Freeman wont make it – Let’s just say he clearly isn’t in Afobe’s league ( not that he doesn’t have faults)and will do well to make a career in the lower leagues.
afobe and freeman are both great players and still have time to devlop.it would be fooloish to make assumptions now as they are still just learning.nevertheless great prospects
Very nice site!