Arsenal maintained their 100% start to the season at the expense of a poor Stoke side.
It was the last game to impress before the Carling Cup tie against West Brom a week on Tuesday and Arsenal made a few changes from the side that put four goals past Birmingham almost two weeks ago. Phillipe Senderos was given his first taste of competitive action in an Arsenal shirt since his return from AC Milan. Rhys Murphy was also making his first start of the season. Szczesny, Miquel and Barazite were all recalled after missing the visit to Birmingham. Whilst Roarie Deacon’s impressive start to the season was rewarded with his first ever start for the reserves.
Unlike Arsenal, Stoke’s team boasted many notable, first team faces and along with new £4.5 million signing Diego Arismendi in the heart of midfield they had a wealth of experience on show.
Match Report – Arsenal 1-0 Stoke City
Arsenal started the game well and created the first half chance of the game as Deacon cut inside from the right and stung a shot at goal, however it was blocked by the Stoke defence and they were able to clear.
Stoke’s best chance of the half fell to Leon Cort a few minutes later but he could only manage a tame header towards the Arsenal goal as Szczesny watched safely as the ball glided wide of the far post.
Arsenal were beginning to take control of the game and after some excellent work again from Deacon on the right wing, Eastmond was able to knock the ball in to the path of Murphy on the edge of the box who could only manage to send his shot in to the arms of Dave Parton. Deacon was certainly causing Griffin problems with his pace and movement.
Stokes outfit certainly followed the first team’s example with their physical approach and Eastmond in particular was on the end of some tough challenges from the Stoke midfield.
Another chance fell to Deacon mid way through the half, but this time on the left side of Stoke’s box. However, once again his shot was unable to make the keeper work and Parton was able to clutch the ball to his chest. In truth though both teams were being restricted to any real clear cut chances and the first half was summed up when Stoke’s Carl Dickinson tried a tame lob from 45 yards out.
Half Time – Arsenal 0-0 Stoke City
Neil Banfield made two changes at the beginning of the second half with Mark Randall and Sanchez Watt making way for Oguzhan Ozyakup and Luke Freeman.
Early in the second half Deacons turn of pace was able to find Freeman out wide who sent in a telling ball that could of easily found the net if it wasn’t for some good defensive play from Stoke.But only two minutes later and Arsenal took a deserved lead when Craig Eastmond found the run of Rhys Murphy who was able to get his shot away, and despite Parton getting a touch he could only flap at the ball and help it in to the back of the net.
Goal – Rhys Murphy (51)
Eight minutes later and Murphy was through again, however after a wonderful first touch he miskicked his shot and sent it well wide.
On the hour mark Roarie Deacon was able to play an inviting through ball for Freeman who could of made it 2-0 if it wasn’t for a poor first touch.
Cedric Evina replaced man of the match Roarie Deacon in the 65th minute who has certainly done his growing reputation no harm whatsoever with another encouraging display.
Arsenal were in control of the match as Stoke offered very little all over the pitch. However, they nearly got an unlikely equaliser in the 78th minute as they caught Arsenal on the counter attack but Danny Pugh’s effort was well blocked by Gilbert.
Despite some long throws in to Arsenals box from Rory Delap’s double; Ryan Shotton Arsenal managed to keep Stoke at bay. Instead Arsenal themselves could of nicked a second right at the death as Freeman done extremely well to create a chance for himself, but the Stoke keeper was able to make the save as Arsenal claimed another three points.
Arsenal’s impressive start to the season has certainly given Wenger some food for thought as he decides the squad to face West Brom with Deacon and Eastmond standing out in particular.
Article By – Nick Love
Really needs proof-reading.
how was miguel,shouldnt he play cb??
how did Senderos, Gilbert, Barazite and Randall play? thanks
Stupendo, you are a cabbage.
good work. didn’t know deacon was so impressive. how did sendy play? not much to do if you play stoke, ey?
was that ozzie’s reserve team debut? good win, good article
hey who do you think is the better center midfielder, Henderson or Ozyakup?
Ozyakup is miles better IMO.
Yeh it was ozzie’s debut and he played pretty well!
Both Conor and Oguzhan have got alot of potential but I must admit im a big fan of Conor Henderson. I think the lads got a real touch of class.
Ozyakup is superb. I think he’s going to be a very, very good player in the coming years. Great eye for a pass.
J. – Whats you view on Watt and Randall’s withdrawal at half time? Should we read into that?
raisonar…. miguel played well but was rarely tested in all honesty
jay…..the defence had little to do. Barazite played well and showed his got real class at times. Randall did ok…alwys wanted the ball but gave it away needlessly at times.
Davo…. they said after the game that both withdrawals were precautions
Nick Love – Precautions against injury so they can travel to Belgium, or precautios in general?
Who was MoM?
I think it would just be precaution in general. I cant see either Randall or Watt travelling to Belgium personally.
I think you would have to give man of the match to Deacon. He caused quite a few problems for the Stoke defence and was a constant threat.
Must admit I have my reservations about Eastmond but I think the last couple of games he has played very well in midfield.
@ J.Sanderson, you mean he has good vision, he also has superb technique in tight areas and good intelligence.
Gilbert playing every match so far. seems he gets a chance to give an impression.
how did barazite do?Now that the homegrown rule has come in,premiership teams with good academy sides have the upper hand. If Deacon keeps impressing,imo he might get a call up to the 1st team.
km – homegrown rule is the same as the cl one and that hasn’t effected the likes of liverpool and inter’s blatent disregard in the past.
This must be a big kick in the teeth for Senderos – behind Silvestre!
Man i missed the game i heard watt and randall got taken off cause thye are in the squad for the champions league game. Probably cause of the CL rules
Maybe Watt needs a rest but Randall was awful – made no successful passes – If he starts in any cup competitions I am going to see a psychiatrist.
He needs a new job outside of football
Kyle Bartley was a tower of strength
To be honest i dont know what the hype is with watt. Seen him alot all he seems to do is close down defenders, great work rate and a good goal scorer. He doesnt really dribble past players, doesnt have vision he just looks a normal player. Theres no x factor with him
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John – Don’t start
Greg – Ozyakup is better. Henderson is a good player but Ozzy’s got that special something about him. If you saw how he performed tonight you would have never guessed he was a little over a week away from his 17th birthday.
Davo – According to NB, Pat Rice asked at half time for them to be taken off. NB didn’t know why this was requested but Stuart Robson believes it is because they will be going to Belgium. We’ll have to wait and see.
Nick Love – Great report.
Randall and watt? Weird must mean arsenal have some serious injuries picked up.
Great report there :D Do you have any links for the goal?
Conor Henderson is not very good. If you have ever seen him play, he gives the ball away way to much.
Nick,
Good article to start your YoungGuns career. Keep it up.
May I know what is the starting line-up?
Btw, it seems like Deacon can be a pretty good player.
So what can we take from last nights performance ahead of the Carling Cup?
Gavin Hoyte and Fran Merida won’t be involved as they’re at the Under 20 World Cup in Egypt. Rhys Murphy and Kyle Bartley were selected for the provisional squad, but didn’t make the final cut. I’d expect Bartley to at least be in the Carling Cup squad next week, but I’m guessing he’ll have to settle for the bench. It would not surprise me if Silvestre and Senderos are the CB partnership, unfortunately. I’d rather it be Senderos and Bartley. Thats why Senderos played last night, to get some match fitness ahead of next week.
Kerrea Gilbert will prbrably be right back, seeing as Eboue won’t be in the Carling Cup squad as second chioce right back.
Sanchez Watt will be involved, judging by the fact that he was selected for the Emirates Cup.
There’ll be p[layers involved that didn’t play last night as well- if Vela has recovered, he’ll be involved, otherwise there’ll be new strikers to make a name for themselves in the competition.
Is JET’s loan only a month? He wasn’t allowed by Arsenal to play in Blackpools Carling Cup game so I wonder if he’ll have returned by next week?
Will Wenger use next week to give Rosicky a start and possibly 90 minuttes and for Walcott to get some match sharpness?
I’m going to predict an early team and bench in a 4-3-3 formation (depending on players fitness)
Mannone
Gilbert
Silvestre
Senderos
Gibbs
Ramsey
Randall
Traore
Wilshere
Barazite
Watt
Subs: Szczensy, Bartley, Coquelin, JET, Sunu, Murphy, Eastmond
This is presuming that Rosicky, Theo and Vela are not involved. Did I leave anyone out?
Carling Cup V West Bromich Albion
Mannone
Gilbert Bartley Senderos Gibbs
Coquelin
Ramsey Emmanuel-Thomas
Wilshere Barazite
Walcott
Subs: Szczesny, Traore, Randall, Sunu, Watt, Deacon, Murphy
ruski i bet you a million pounds thats not the team ;)
It’s hard to see where Traore future lies. So much talent but there is no obvious route to the first team. Gibbs, Clichy and perhaps Pedro – next season – as left backs, and with our new formation Traore doesn’t strike me as a genuine left winger, but more of a left midfielder.
———-mannone
eboue bartley senderos gibbs
———–randell
—–ramsey
————-jay emmanuel
wilshere ————–barazite
——–bendtner/ eduardo
would have love to see merida play.. and would love to see coq replace randell. but pretty sure this will be the line up
i’m interested in going to the reserve games.Where can i get the following info?Where are the home matches played?Are they for general public? How much?And what time are they usually played?Thnx.
Looks a hell of a worse carling cup team this year going by some of the choices above.Mannone = utter muppet,how Wenger rates this clown ahead of Szczesney is beyound me.Randall = serial failure,Will play his testiomonal at underhill before he makes an impression on trail for a two bit lower league team in the hope of a loan move.Barazite = most overratted Arsenal reserve player of all time(that takes some doing)will be lucky to make it as far as Quinncy and Stokes in reality
A good win. Those counter attacks can be toublesome and pesky. Thqey hard to defend against some times. A good win http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/
I think you are a bit wrong there Ben.Traore is not as talented as Clichy or Gibbs.He has just got blistering pace and not nothing else.I know most of you will talk about his cross to Bendtner buts thats the point he hasnt produced that good a cross a since then.So I think his future lies away from the Grove unless….
Wenger decides to sell Clichy,promote Gibbs as first choice and put traore as second choice.He hasnt been all that great this season..maybe he wants to go the Bernabeu!!;)
Randall doesn’t deserve to play in the CC but you can bet ur arse he will start. He just better impress when he’s given the chance like he did last year against Sheff Utd where he played a brilliant game.
Arsenal Vs West Brom (Carling Cup)
Mannone
Hoyte Senderos Silvestre Gibbs
Wilshere Ramsey Rosicky Merida
Watt Walcott
Bench: Szczesny, Bartley, Ayling, Traore, Barazite, Randall, Sunu
JAY SIMPSON I FORGOT
Deacon showed yesterday that he is a bit special. The ability to run with the ball with both feet is quite rare and is very hard to handle for defenders. A shame he got injured cause he could have played a cameo role in the CC.
Ozyakup is a class act. quite similar to Fabregas, maybe even slightly better in tight areas.
Szszensy/Mannone
Gilbert Bartley senderos Gibbs/Silvestre
Wilshere Randall Ramsey
Barazite Murphy Watt
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