Arsenal V Stoke City – Reserves – Match Preview

With two convincing wins from their opening two games, Neil Banfield’s Reserves welcome Stoke City to Underhill this evening looking to make it nine points out of a possible nine.

A 3-2 win and a 2-2 draw summed up how tough a proposition Stoke were last season but with Arsenal bing in such lethal form, it should be very different this time out. Seven goals from two fixtures and two clean sheets mean the Gunners could not be better prepared for a renewed title push.

However, the Potters also have a 100% record but they have only played once – earning a 1-0 win over Wolves on match day one. First-team manager Tony Pulis spoke of his sides depth this morning and suggested that a handful of his squad could be sent on loan, meaning tonights clash offers the chance for scouts to cast an eye over some of his charges. A strong Stoke side is expected.

In terms of team news, Banfield looks set to continue with the 4-3-3 which is currently being used at all levels within the club. Emmanuel Frimpong’s return to fitness presents the boss with a dilemma in the middle as Criag Eastmond’s solid performance and goal against Birmingham in the Ghanaian’s absence saw him earn many plaudits. Luke Ayling looks set to miss out again through injury. Between the sticks Wojciech Szczęsny returns after being called up to the Polish national squad and with Vito Mannone on first team duty, he should start.

Szczesny
Gilbert – Bartley – Hoyte – Traore
Coquelin – Eastmond – Randall
Watt – Sunu – Merida

Subs: Shea – Miquel – Evina – Deacon – Freeman

Kick off is at 7pm at Barnet’s Underhill stadium. The fixture is being streamed live on Arsenal TV Online but should you not be able to watch it, Nick Love will be providing a Match Report shortly after the full-time whistle.

Article By – J.Sanderson

35 thoughts on “Arsenal V Stoke City – Reserves – Match Preview

  • September 14, 2009 at 11:09 am
    Permalink

    With the current uncertainty surrounding the goalkeeping position and the Carling Cup coming up do you think that Szczesny has any chance of getting ahead of Mannone in the pecking order? or will age win out. I think Wojciech has the potential to actually be a first team keeper for us whereas Mannone doesn’t really. It would make more sense to give him the experience. 19 is not too young for a keeper if he’s good enough.

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 11:11 am
    Permalink

    I think Wojciech is superb and he’s probably got better potential than Mannone. If i was the boss I’d give Szczesny a chance but I think Mannone will probably get the nod.

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 11:16 am
    Permalink

    What is going on with Nacer Barazite?

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 11:16 am
    Permalink

    Why is Barazite not in the squad ? Will he be travelling to Liege ?

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 11:19 am
    Permalink

    That’s not a confirmed team, Barazite may be involved. It’s just a prediction – you’re welcome to give your team prediction.

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 11:56 am
    Permalink

    Anyone know of any live streams for the match?

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 12:11 pm
    Permalink

    Why is merida playing reserve games again? I thought he’d been promoted..

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 12:49 pm
    Permalink

    JS Isnt Henri Lansbury a better player than Jay thomas?

    jay thomas has been awful for Blackpool hes too slow and loses the ball too much.

    Henri lansbury has been great for Watford. Lansbury more clever, inteligent, quicker and a match winner. Hes a threat around the 18 yard box he can score from anywhere and can find a killer pass as well as keep the ball in possesion

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 1:08 pm
    Permalink

    @ When the game’s tempo is quick or its an hurlyburly match, Lansbury does well bcuz he is very physically gifted with height, pace, power & ball-striking but he needs to improves when games is slower and show better technique in tight areas and dive into tackles like his hero S.Gerrard. He needs to learn intercept passes and use tackling as last resort

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 1:09 pm
    Permalink

    @ John, when the game’s tempo is quick or its an hurlyburly match, Lansbury does well bcuz he is very physically gifted with height, pace, power & ball-striking but he needs to improves when games is slower and show better technique in tight areas and dive into tackles like his hero S.Gerrard. He needs to learn intercept passes and use tackling as last resort

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 1:12 pm
    Permalink

    that midfield look so uncreative.

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 1:18 pm
    Permalink

    Henri lansbury is a better all round player than Jay thomas.

    henri lansbury a great tackler he use to play defensive midfielder.

    What i like about lansbury is his compsure kind hes very calm under pressure and very clever with the ball hes almost like aaron ramsey with more pace and more direct. Technically hes up there its just physically he needs to build up premiership fitness. He will get more powerful and stronger. jay thomas need to improve his tactical and game awareness. He needs to work harder off the ball. I cant really see jay thomas breaking through i dont what position he would play in the first team.

    Lansbury could play right back, centre midfield or right wing or off the striker hes got the inteligence to do it.

    jay thomas for me relies on his football skills and tricks rather than his brains

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 1:22 pm
    Permalink

    Where’s Murphy? injuried again?

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 1:33 pm
    Permalink

    John will you stop with your f-ing Lansbury JET debate?!

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 1:45 pm
    Permalink

    Murphy with england under 20s along with kyle bartley and gavin hoyte.

    Where Luke Ayling and Ignasi Miquel?

    Reply
  • Pingback: Arsenal V Stoke City – Reserves – Match Preview « [» Young Guns «] Match Web

  • September 14, 2009 at 2:04 pm
    Permalink

    Is that John Fellar still going on about JET and Lansbury

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 2:28 pm
    Permalink

    Going by the last game against Birmingham, if the same 11 start then it would probably be with Randall playing where Watt is situated in J’s predicted starting 11, Watt up top with Sunu to the left and Merida in the midfield three.

    I reckon this will be the team for today if Frimpong is back and the under 20’s World Cup participants aren’t available for selection how supergunner says:

    Szczesny

    Gilbert – Senderos – Miquel – Traore

    Eastmond

    Randall Coquelin

    Barazite Sunu

    Watt

    Subs: Shea, Cruise, Evina, Frimpong, Freeman

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 2:38 pm
    Permalink

    I am sick and tired of people saying jay thomas is better than henri lansbury hes not why do you think England coaches dont pick him.

    jay thomas yh hes got great skill and trickery but hes hasnt got the all round game.

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 2:46 pm
    Permalink

    BTW Pedro Botelho waas excellent for Celta vigo he set up thier goal with a good run on the wing.

    Havard Nordvteit plays like a Centre half/Defensive midfielder. When they are defending he plays like the 5th centre back very similar to song but more defenisve minded

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 3:03 pm
    Permalink

    @ John, playing DM with England U17s is totally different from Men Football. Also no matter all good tackler a player is, constant diving-in will lead to numerous sending-off, all players needs to incorporate ball-interception into their game especially the DM or the ball winner for team. HL still needs to improve, he aint the player you proclaim him to be.

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 3:21 pm
    Permalink

    John, you could start an argument in an empty room.

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 4:05 pm
    Permalink

    It must be difficult with sucha talented squad to pick a starting line up.

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 4:11 pm
    Permalink

    Stoke starting XI today is huge, apart from griffin, they are all 6 or above.

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 4:18 pm
    Permalink

    Bison, you are my god. What a remark!

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 5:08 pm
    Permalink

    This JET vs Lansbury arguement is pointless. For one they arent even the same type of player and besides they both are on our team. We can have them both. JET could turn into the English Diaby and Lansbury is the typical English center mid with the work rate and drive from the midfield.

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 5:54 pm
    Permalink

    Is his name “Jay-Emmanuel Thomas”, as in a double first name, or “Jay Emmanuel-Thomas” as in two surnames?

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 5:59 pm
    Permalink

    Anyone got a stream my arsenal tv online has been cancelled

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 6:10 pm
    Permalink

    Emmanuel-Thomas, two surnames. Greedy if you ask me…

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 8:10 pm
    Permalink

    @ parks, its basically two family sides who dont want to lose their family name so both join it together. Brislen-Hall is another one.

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 8:39 pm
    Permalink

    But what if Jay boshes George’s sister? Will the resulting nipper be burdened with the surname Emmanuel-Thomas-Brislen-Hall. It could get out of hand very quickly.

    Reply
  • September 14, 2009 at 9:08 pm
    Permalink

    John , being picked for England is a ridiculous point. England coaches have no clue.
    As I said before, I like Lansbury, but your constant slating of Jay Thomas is annoying

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *