Norwich 1-3 Arsenal – Under 18's – Match Report

Arsenal’s Under 18’s extended their unbeaten run to four games this morning after beating their Norwich City counterparts 3-1 at the Canaries’ Norfolk based Colney ground. A brace from Benik Afobe coupled with a Zak Ansah strike did the damage.

Steve Bould rotated his squad and formation ahead of Wednesday’s F.A Youth Cup 3rd round clash with Crewe. Jamie Edge and Jernade Meade were handed rare starts in a midfield diamond while Under 16 leading scorer Zak Ansah was given a chance to establish himself in the Academy League. Sean McDermott returned from injury to replace James Dunn in goal and Benik Afobe and Oğuzhan Özyakup also featured right from the off after being substitutes in the Reserves.

McDermott
Byles – Obed – Ayling – Brislen-Hall
Yennaris
Edge –
Meade
Özyakup
Ansah – Afobe

Subs:- Dunn, Boateng, Webb, Neita.

Norwich City have previously proved tricky opposition for Bould’s boys but the under strength Gunners cruised to victory against their hosts strongest XI. Arsenal threatened to run away with it in the first half as Oğuzhan Özyakup twice unlocked the back four for Zak Ansah – he could and should have done better.

Yet Zak’s strike partner, Benik Afobe, would do the damage. After first stealing the ball from the City backline and racing through to finish, the powerful frontman slotted home from the edge of the box after being put through one-on-one by Jernade Meade. Two emphatic finishes gave Arsenal a 2-0 half time lead.

The second half was a tighter affair but Afobe once more proved to be a handful. After pacing the back four he picked out strike partner Ansah who made no mistake from close range. His 1st of the season at this level.

There was chance for a Norwich concellation when Rhema Obed’s clumsy challenge in the box saw the referee point to the spot. The hosts scored but Afobe’s 9th and 10th goals from his 12 games this term combined with assist for Ansah meant Arsenal took the points back to London.

Article By – J.Sanderson

23 thoughts on “Norwich 1-3 Arsenal – Under 18's – Match Report

  • December 12, 2009 at 4:02 pm
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    who was our best player J

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  • December 12, 2009 at 4:03 pm
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    afobe is doing extremely well, nice to edge get a run out

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  • December 12, 2009 at 4:12 pm
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    J, can you tell me if Afobe went to Barcelona to talk to their representatives? Is he staying at Arsenal? Also is Sunu going to sign a new contract?

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  • December 12, 2009 at 4:23 pm
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    Just a suggestion J.

    In the end of your articles you can add the gamescore and the goal scorers. Example:
    Norwich 1-3 Arsenal
    Afobe (2), Ansah.

    Then can we all find the goalscores easely.

    Reply
  • December 12, 2009 at 4:27 pm
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    Great site. I have a question for you? How many English players of African decent are in the Arsenal youth set up? Are we seeing an influx of these young players as we did with the players of West Indian decent in the 80’s? It can only be a positive thing for Arsenal and England.

    Reply
  • December 12, 2009 at 5:19 pm
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    Yes, Hamid has a good idea.

    Reply
  • December 12, 2009 at 5:20 pm
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    Sorry, but on a more pressing matter!!!!

    PLEASE!! Go to Youtube and type in:

    Todos Gols Adriano Imperador – Flamengo 2009 – 30/11/09

    The guy looks red hot!!!

    Theres no doubt in my mind he will score more goals than eduardo, vela and bendtner!! He looks sharp, fast, trim, and most importantly like a man with a clear head!!

    He’s World class!!! Hes EXACTLY what we NEED!!!! Power, pace, height, good in the air, got a banging shot, technically gifted, freekick taker, penalty taker!! He will score bags of goals!!! And be a legend!!!!

    and guess what….. He’s FREEEEEEEE!!!!!!

    Reply
  • December 12, 2009 at 5:23 pm
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    whats Jamie Edge actually like?

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  • December 12, 2009 at 5:34 pm
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    hi J,nice job u doing here.Am a nigerian and i vist ur blog every 30 mins to see any update or comment.Keep it up.

    Reply
  • December 12, 2009 at 6:19 pm
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    i think we can win the carling cup next term with this current crop

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  • December 12, 2009 at 7:35 pm
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    izzo – these lot havent even proved themselves at youth cup or reserves level – and you say they can win the carling cup…

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  • December 12, 2009 at 7:41 pm
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    i see a problem in havin too many good player.They dont develop well cos they dont get to play and i believe players need good playing time to become good.I believe a player like vela wud hv bin much better by now if we ve bin playing him

    Reply
  • December 12, 2009 at 8:24 pm
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    Carlos Vela has had some injuries this year which has thrown him of a little bit. He is just a bit of form but that isnt going to hault his talent growth.

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  • December 13, 2009 at 2:27 am
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    Afobe is a BEAST goalwise. I think we have someone who can reach and surpass henrys tally if he stays that good and infact if he gets better. Really good goalscorer n supplier too.

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  • December 13, 2009 at 3:36 am
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    J, quite surprised by the change in formation. Is it a one off or do you think it will continue for the rest of the season? Is it a hint towards the first team adopting the same formation? Normally the reserves and U-18 play the same formation as the first team.

    Reply
  • December 13, 2009 at 10:24 am
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    B.A that is possibly the stupidest comment i have heard. How can you have too many good players? Do you expect them to sprinkle in some rubbish or something?

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  • December 13, 2009 at 12:01 pm
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    uncle D first it s a young player website so we dont care about Adriano.second he is overated player who have so many problem outside football that he is a no go area.Anyway Vela is 10 time the player look on youtube (look anyone look good on youtube)

    Reply
  • December 13, 2009 at 3:44 pm
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    @ lordgunner

    Adriano is not really a bad shot. He is a proven goalscorer after all and football is all about scoring goals. I will choose a proven goalscorer ahead of any world class talent with potential really. We don’t need another potential striker we need a world class striker right now at this moment. If he is Free then we should go for it. He is exactly what we need.

    Reply
  • December 13, 2009 at 6:00 pm
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    Lordgunner…calm down. We talked about adriano in a couple of other articles so its not a big deal. And overrated is a stretch. Troubled is a more accurate word.

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  • December 14, 2009 at 12:02 am
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    No surprise to see Benik in such good goalscoring form once he has another striker to work in tandem with. In the 4-3-3 the youth have thus far adopted this season he does a lot of work for the team and most of the chances seem to be falling to the support players.

    Reply
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