Walcott To Face Olympiacos XI Behind Closed Doors

Theo Walcott is expected to play for an Arsenal Reserves XI tomorrow night as they take on Olympiacos’ second string side at London Colney.

The rapid winger has been back in full-time training for just over two weeks but will not be risked for the Champions League Group H clash against the Greek outfit at the Emirates. Instead he will join an XI selected by Neil Banfield for a friendly against a similar aged Olympiacos team. The ‘Erythrolefki’ have a close relationship with the Gunners’ Academy and have decided to take advantage of the fixture overlap to bring a second team to London to do battle on two fronts.

Walcott has been missing since the final pre-season fixture against Valencia where he sustained a back injury. Arsène Wenger was understandably frustrated as it was the 20-year-old’s first game since playing for England’s full national team and Under 21’s during the summer. The encounter will also be Theo’s first game back in London after penning a few four-year-deal with the club.

The likes of Mark Randall, Kerrea Gilbert, Sanchez Watt and a handful of other players who were involved in the Carling Cup are expected to join Walcott on the pitch as Banfield gives his charges a run out ahead of their next Reserve League South outing, at home to Chelsea on the 5th of October.

Young Guns will have a full report from this game later tomorrow.

Article By – J.Sanderson

35 thoughts on “Walcott To Face Olympiacos XI Behind Closed Doors

  • September 28, 2009 at 3:33 pm
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    Will a couple of last week’s Carling cup be in the squad tomorrow after Bendtner was ruled out today?

    Reply
  • September 28, 2009 at 3:36 pm
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    is this a definite fixture? And is Walcott likely to last the whole match?

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  • September 28, 2009 at 3:38 pm
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    Spike – Not sure about that mate.

    Yeah it is a definite fixture. Not sure whether he’ll play the whole game but he should play some of it. At least 45 mins

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  • September 28, 2009 at 3:49 pm
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    I would love to see Murphy and Barazite play in the squad against Olympiacos, hope Randall gets their to. if players impress against the B side, then they could make the squad for the first team maybe.

    Game against Olympiacos B.

    Szczesny
    Miquel Eastmond Senderous Gibbs
    Yennaris Ozyakup Randall
    Barazite Murphy Walcott

    that would be my team,
    Subs…
    Mcdermott,
    Nguyen,
    Boateng,
    Freeman,
    Bartley,
    Frimpong,
    Deacon,

    Reply
  • September 28, 2009 at 3:49 pm
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    Arsenal (from): Mannone, Clichy, Gallas, Vermaelen, Sagna, Song, Diaby, Fabregas, Arshavin, Eduardo, van Persie, Szczesny, Rosicky, Eboue, Silvestre, Ramsey, Gibbs, Wilshere, Vela, Watt, Walcott.

    Reply
  • September 28, 2009 at 3:55 pm
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    That doesn’t mean the squad, Spike. Its just a bunch of players who could play.

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  • September 28, 2009 at 3:56 pm
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    That won’t be the squad Spike. The media generally do a “from” based on known absentees and who is expected to be available.

    Knowing Walcott is fit and Watt was selected last time around, they have included both but I doubt either will feature.

    Reply
  • September 28, 2009 at 3:56 pm
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    beaten to it lol :)

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  • September 28, 2009 at 4:00 pm
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    But, a bunch of players who could play is also known as… a squad!

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  • September 28, 2009 at 4:01 pm
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    Well, either way, I doubt Watt would’ve got any game time tomorrow.

    I hope vela starts, along with Ramsey.

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  • September 28, 2009 at 4:03 pm
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    Surely Szczesny will be on the bench for the 1st team. What if Mannone gets an injury?

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  • September 28, 2009 at 4:34 pm
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    Szcesney would definitely be on the bench for the Olympiacos match. And Spike: Watt is NOT yet officially a first team member, though he does train with them sometimes. I think a likely squad would be:

    Shea
    Gilbert-Hoyte-Bartley-Traore
    Randall-Coquelin-Barazte
    Walcott-Murphy-Wilshere

    Gibbs and Ramsey are unlikely as they’ll probably be in the squad for the CL fixture.

    Reply
  • September 28, 2009 at 4:53 pm
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    Fran Merida scored both goals in Spain U-20’s 2-0 win over Nigeria.

    Reply
  • September 28, 2009 at 4:59 pm
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    Why hasnt the U17 Fifa world cup started yet?

    Reply
  • September 28, 2009 at 5:00 pm
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    Yeah 3 in 2 games for merida, sounds like he is playing very well, hope he can play against liverpool in the CC

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  • September 28, 2009 at 5:16 pm
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    Hmmm, this must have been what AW alluded to earlier on in his press conference. He said something about arranging a game for Theo.

    Nicely taken lob by Fran for the first and a cheeky penalty for the second. Spain didn’t play to the best of their ability but Fran was one of their better players. Apart from his goals he had two or three other long-range efforts prior to his goals that didn’t miss by much. Leading goalscorer of the tourny right now.

    Reply
  • September 28, 2009 at 6:42 pm
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    Merida’s second goal was a cheeky chip from the penalty spot. Great player :)

    Reply
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  • September 29, 2009 at 11:10 am
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    two norwegian kids invited on a trial at Arsenal after beeing spotted in the youth cup: Dana cup.

    One is of angolian heritage, but will opt for norwegian citizenship next year.

    Jakob Glesnes and Januario Kalunga is the names.

    Found it from a norwegian article, if you want to look at it, I suggest you use google translate unless you have some hidden lingo skills :p
    http://www.ba.no/sport/article4612439.ece

    Reply
  • September 29, 2009 at 2:18 pm
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    how old are they boomer?

    Reply
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  • October 6, 2009 at 8:56 pm
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    Hey very nice blog!!….I’m an instant fan, I have bookmarked you and I’ll be checking back on a regular….See ya :)

    Reply
  • October 9, 2009 at 4:27 pm
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    Hey, I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say GREAT blog!…..I”ll be checking in on a regularly now….Keep up the good work! :)

    Reply

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