England’s Under 19 team, and its Arsenal contingent, qualified with ease in the final group fixture of the European Under 19’s Tournament, while Francisco Merida’s Spain couldn’t manage to get the win needed to stay in the competition.
England played Slovenia in the late kick-off and had to win ensure progression. Early team news indicated that while Gavin Hoyte was dropped to the bench, Rhys Murphy got his first start of this Tournament.
Earlier on in the day, Fran Merida’s Spain, 5 time winners of the competition, had been unceremoniously dumped from proceedings by France. Les Bleus needed to win and this was seen in their early play, pressing Spain high up the pitch and causing their defence considerable problems. And so it was no surprise when they went ahead, lively left winger Brahimi cutting inside to slot home.
While many would have expected Merida to be the driving force in a Spanish come-back after his brilliant performance in the previous game, the Coach Luis Milla Aspar chose to withdraw Fran after 65 minutes, replacing him with striker Aquino. And this was how the young Spaniard’s tournament ended. Fran will no doubt be hoping to console himself by returning to the Arsenal fold as soon as possible, in order to build a good pre-season.
Unlike Merida and Spain, England’s young gunners had no trouble progressing. Murphy started up front and Lansbury played his third consecutive game. England were on the back foot initially, with Slovenia getting the first chance, however they were made to pay for missing. A neat move from England saw Arsenal’s Lansbury shoot into the top corner for the Three Lion’s opener. Henri then assisted both of the next two goals; his freekick was turned in by Briggs on the 19th, and his through ball being finished by Welbeck 6 minutes later. England continued going from strength to strength and made it 4 with Welbeck’s second and then 5 on 37 minutes. Delfouneso profiting from another Lansbury freekick. In between these two goals Jovic was sent-off for a reckless challenge on Henri, in what was a brilliant first half for the Arsenal midfielder.
With a 5 goal lead going into the second half England lost their impetus and Slovenia pulled a goal back early on, Dimitrov scoring their effort. However, a come-back never looked likely and Arsenal’s Murphy tested the keeper along with several other of his teammates. Worryingly for Arsenal and England, Lansbury was forced off on 64 after another robust challenge on him, Hoyte also came on at this point, but defending wasn’t a priority. Further chances came England’s way and it wasn’t long until they got their 6th, Delfouneso bagging his second. Indeed, they also go a seventh, Nile Ranger scoring what turned out to be the last goal of the game.
So it ended 7-1 to England, a record for the tournament, with Lansbury playing a crucial role and Rhys Murphy playing a dangerous full 90. Both England and Arsenal fans will be hoping the Henri is fit for the next round as England look to progress through the knock-out rounds.
Article By – Gianni Sonvinco
I can see England paying the price with centre backs Krystian Pearce and Martin Kelly (Liverpool)not being there.
Lansbury is class when he plays central midfield hes almost unstoppable. He for me is definitely the new steven gerrard. He can score goals, win tackles, great passer, dribble past player, good at set pieces, great leadership skills. They guys got everything. Hes could feature in arsenal first team this season. I really do rate him as highly as aaron ramsey
Will they both be loaned out? They dont seem to be at Ramseys level yet.
I wonder if Lansbury and/or Merida would be with the first team in Austria if they weren’t in the U-19. Does anybody have any sources regarding that?
i think some of our players need to go on loan this season especially midfield since we got
lansbury
merida
ramsey
jet
frimpong
coquelin
watt
wilshere
they all need playing time and arnt gonna get it.
stone, they did play a part in last seasons pre-season games so I presume they would have been involved this year as well.
How come Ramsey gets more chances than Lansbury?
and how’s Hoyte been doing? Next Arsenal rightback?
Lansbury for me is our best young central midfielder hes better than frimpong and coquelin in my opinion.
Gavin Hoyte is awful hes got techincal ability
Highlights of the Arsenal game if anyone is interested
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONV3Q6PepUQ&feature=channel
Was Lansbury captain as the goalie was captain in the first game
Martin Kelly is too old, he’ll play in the U20 world cup and he’s not that good, Kristian Pearce is better. Im dissapointed Spence from West Ham isn’t playing he’s a brilliant player. I think Zola wanted to have a close look at him in pre-season.
Finally Eastick gets his tactics right and England dominate. Hopefully, he continues with today’s side and with Lansbury in a central role. Dropping Manure flops James and Drinkwater really improved Enlgand and hopefully those two stay benched. I am being a bit harsh on those players because someone on Redcafe called Lansbury (shamsbury). I hope those guys recognize his talent now
@ Stone – No-one knows whether these players would be in Austria except for Arsene. I#d assume that they may have gone, but then again we seem to have a full squad.
@ Jimmy – Personally, I think Ramsey is a far more developed player than Henri and thus gets more first team oppertunities. As for Hoyte, I didn’t actually see his contributions so can’t comment.
@ Ben – Jason Steele was, indeed, captain again this game.
Don’t forget Lansbury had glandular fever, which set him back about a season. I think Ramsey looks closer to the first team at the moment, but Lansbury can catch him up.
LAnsbury v Ramsay
Well both are already showing signs that they can be great players,
If Lansbury did not get an STD then would he be ahead of Wiltshire in the pecking order? Because Wiltshire is still less physically developed that Lansbury or Ramsay.
Henri Lanbsury development has disrupted cause of illness and injury. Or otherwise he would have played earlier.
Henri is coming back to form. He would have been our youngest player in the carling cup a few years ago as a 15 on the bench against Liverpool.
I rate Lansbury cause i remeber the Euro under 17s Lansbury was Englands best player, Bojan Krkic was Spains best player, Eden Hazard Belgium Best players. Henri lanbsury got England single handely to the final against spain than got injured i think it was a head injury.
STD?
Am: Glandular fever is not an STD!
Thanks for the highlights Ben, Wow nice saves from Wojtech he looks a real prospect. A year out on loan in league 2 as first team keeper would do him good.
rene steer has signed for oldham
Oldham Athletic have signed ex-Arsenal youngster Rene Steer on a 12-month contract.
The left-back, who joined the Gunners when he was 13, left the Club earlier in the summer having come to the end of his contract.
He made his debut for Arsenal against Burnley in last season’s Carling Cup before spending three months on loan at League Two Gillingham.
Rene has been on trial at Boundary Park for the past few weeks and manager Dave Penney wasted no time in securing the 19-year-old’s signature.
—
“We have decided not to pursue anything with Mark,” said manager Nigel Clough before last night’s friendly against Matlock Town at Causeway Lane.
“We have spoken to Liam Brady at Arsenal and to Mark, and although he did quite well for us while we were away, we think we need a different sort of midfielder.
“We need somebody who is going to come in and really challenge the three central midfielders we have in there.
“We have three very good players – Robbie Savage, Stephen Pearson and Paul Green – and arguably they have impressed as much as anybody in the last three or four weeks.”
Yeah, shame about that for Randall. He’ll just have to hope that another side come in for him off the back of this interest.
Nordtveit ready for Nurnberg. He is certain that more arsenal players will be coming to Lillestroem. This due to both him and Arsenal being “exceptionally pleased” with the development and relationship with the coaches and players. Nordtveit also states that it gives him a sense of security to know he always will be welcome back at Lillestroem. In a previous article in the newspaper VG, he stated that if he went to Nurnberg he only wanted to go if being a regular as with Lillestroem and trusted that judgment to be in the hands of Arsenal. Nortveit has continuously stated how pleased he is with the thorough work of the Arsenal team in always making sure him personally and his development is doing well
article in norwegian, sorry:
http://go.dagbladet.no/ego.cgi/dbf_henv/http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/07/28/sport/fotball/nordtveit/lillestrom/nurnberg/7388459/
see you guys go that one now, as I was writing it. well done, very fast with the updates
Could Kyle Bartley, Luke Ayling go to Lillestrom? That would be brilliant for thier development. The norwegian league is very physical but also technically good. Those two would learn alot there especially with henning berg as manager
I wouldn’t be loaning out either of those guys this season.
Lansbury is mustard hes got a great future. Aneke and Miguel in Arsenal X1 v Maidenhead tonight. Good luck to both of them
Arsenal X1 v Maidenhead is it live on any channel