Arsenal’s Under 18’s continued their stuttering start to the campaign by letting a two goal advantage slip to draw against Norwich City this morning.
Luke Freeman and Benik Afobe got their 7th of the season each, but a second half collapse mean Bould’s boys continue their terrible run of form. That said, the XI who started are among some of the most promising players to have come through the Academy in recent years, whilst on loan ‘keeper James Dunn continued between the sticks.
Dunn
Byles – Obed – Boateng – Evina
Frimpong – Aneke – Özyakup
Deacon – Afobe – Freeman
Subs: Brislen-Hall – Meade – Yennaris – Miquel.
Arsenal’s start belied what would ultimately happen later in the game. Emmanuel Frimpong and Chuks Aneke both had early cracks at goal as the Canaries failed to get out of the traps quickly. Luke Freeman was next to try before Sam Byles survived a claim for a penalty following a suspicious hand ball incident.
The Gunners kept plowing away and eventually found a way through when Roarie Deacon’s drilled corner deflected off Freeman and into the net. The former Gillingham frontman wheeled away in delighted at his 7th of what has proved to be a fruitful campaign.
Four minutes later it was 2-0. Benik Afobe capitalized on slack Norwich play to bully his way through to finish emphatically. Benik’s goal saw him go level with Freeman on 7 for the term as the top scorer race hots up.
The goals should have been a platform of which to work from, yet lapses in concentration combined with an improved spell from the visitors saw City come flying back, with two goals both scored from terrible defending. It finished 2-2 leaving Steve Bould with much work to do if he is to stop the current decay.
Article By – J.Sanderson
For gods sakes we need proper defenders evina, obed in particular cannot defend.
There is no leader at the back. Ayling and Bartley last year provided that.
Danny Boateng has been poor hes not a proper defender he relies on pace and power.
I can kind of see where you’re coming from John. I think we’ve got all the right kinds of defenders, but Bould isn’t getting the blend right.
I can’t wait until Martin Angha arrives, I think he’ll held sure the defence up.
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It is usually what I like to call brain farts that let a team back into it. That’s what happened. Not good. This could have a devestating effect down the road. what did you think of the under 20 world Cup Uganda beat Brasil in a shootout 4-3. http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/
it was ghana not uganda
Great for Ghana!
When is Angha arriving, to “sure” (it’s “shore”, mate) up the defense?
Home Alone – It’s defence mate, not “defense”!
I can see Angha play in RB becouse he got space and can defend. RB is a problem that he might sorts out. I thought Miguel and Boateng was the pair to play in middle all the time…. and the rest is OK. They will get better and better, nothing to worry about.
Haha Davo….that’s quality.
I agree with John on this one…these boys have been quite poor defensively thus far. What’s interesting though, is that if you look at the Academy League South table, you’d see that it’s not just us with a poor defensive record. Everyone leaks goals and i think Ipswich have the best record so far but it’s not great.
J, how is Henri Lansbury getting on at Watford? I haven’t seen much on the site about him lately.
He’s had a mixed time really. When he has played it’s been off the striker and while he is very talented at play making, he’s struggled a bit there.
I think he needs more game time and to be deployed in the middle.
@ Davo
defense, defence. doesn’t rightly matter. depends where you’re from. Americans spell it defense. they also spell analyse with a “z”, i.e. analyze. no one’s wrong!
just watched the highlights against Ipswich. I was quite impressed by their centre forward Wickham, looked very skillfull for such a big lad
Is there any danger that Afobe will suffer from the same difficulties Danny Cadamarteri did when he is no longer the strongest player on the pitch
I doubt it because Danny Cadamarteri was never that great to start with, were as Benik Afobe is, as for our defence mabey this years U18’s defenders are just not as good as last seasons ones?.
J.
Why is Arsenal own website not up to date on there own Reserves & Youth players and games? Also who is Dunne in goal?
You have to say that u18s arent really about winning but more about developing a few talents that can make it to the Arsenal first team or make it pro elsewhere. On the u18s, I think there is 3 so far with Afobe,Aneke,Ozykup(spelling). Defenders are generally harder to spot at a young age because judging their talents is alot about opinions because they arent judged by goals and assisted ,etc especially centerbacks. By the way…where is that argentine keeper we signed?
You mean Damian Martinez? Think he’ll join next year as he is still 17 now, and South Americans need to be at least 18 before they could move out of South America, just like Pato, Fabio, Rafael, etc.
You mean Damian Martinez? Think he’ll join next year as he is still 17 now, and South Americans need to be at least 18 before they could move out of South America, just like Pato, Fabio, Rafael, etc.
P.S. – Sorry, forgot to tell you great post!
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good to hear freeman is finally showing some talent, if i remember rightly there was some debate last year about whether he was good enough to play for us after position changes and his performances still being abysmal, bt from someone from gillingham is good to see him doing well
I am not being funny but evina, obed, boateng, afobe rely on the physical stature rather than thier tecnically ability.
Chuks Aneke even though hes masssive you can see how good techically he is same with jordan wynter.
@ John, that simply isnt true but what do need is higher level of defensive intelligence to match their technique & physical gifts in Evina, Obed, Boateng’s case. Benik just needs to keep working & developing on everything [Finishing on left & right foot, technique/dribbling, passing, movement off the ball, 1st touch, heading, tactically, plyometrics for physical improvement & mentally]