Neil Banfield’s Arsenal’s Reserves remain on course for the Reserves League South title after dispatching of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Underhilll this evening. Right back Francis Coquelin scored the only goal of the game after 23 minutes to seal the win.
With the news before kick off that captain Luke Ayling had joined Yeovil Town on loan, Craig Eastmond took the arm band as Banfield rotated his stock. In came Under 18 starlets Chuks Aneke and Benik Afobe to add a physical and raw presence while Thomas Cruise slotted in alongside Ignasi Miquel at centre half.
Shea
Coquelin – Cruise – Miquel – Evina
Aneke – Eastmond – Frimpong
Afobe – Freeman – Watt
Subs:- Dunn, Byles, Yennaris, Ozyakup, Murphy.
Arsenal began well with early possession on a typical spring evening at Underhill. Although they had the ball, the young Gunners failed to create anything in the nervous opening stages. It took two quick fire Wolves corners to finally shock the hosts into life, who could have grabbed the lead through Luke Freeman’s swift turn, but he couldn’t find the killer finish.
After knocking on the door, a Sanchez Watt free-kick caused havok in the Wolves box and Francis Coquelin’s simple finish was enough to see Arsenal finally smash through. The young visitors tried to respond but lacking the creativity, they struggled to impose themselves in attack. Instead Aneke and Eastmond shots were both wide but dangerous, as the Gunners went down the tunnel in front at the break.
The biggest action of the second half was the substitutes. Oguzhan Ozyakup and Rhys Murphy’s craft replaced Aneke and Afobe’s energy as time ticked away. Wolves bossed things and looked to force an equaliser with time ticking down, but on the break Cedric Evina’s pace was always a danger. It finished 1-0.
Hi! Been a bit out of it recently with the reserves. How is Rhys Murphy looking? Is he fit? Is he looking stronger. I hope he can keep fit! Many thanks for a great site.
did jay spearing not play? i havent seen him play in a wile?
jay spearing plays for liverpool mate
lol.
The name sounded familiar, but I was sure he wasn’t an Arsenal player.
I think you’ve confused yourself with Jay Simpson lol. For what it’s worth Simpson’s on loan at QPR.
why does Coquelin play right back and Eastmond in the middle?? Coquelin is so much a better player than Eastmond there!!
Thats not true. At the momment eastmond is better in the middle because his distribution is far better and maturity is another reason i guess. Eastmond´s a year older than coquelin we will find out whos better. Coquelin has to improve his allround game maybe thats the reason he is playing rb.
How close is Ozyakup to making the first team?? Would he be ahead of Merida next year?? He was really hyped up when we got him, but everything has quieted down regarding his development. It will be hard for him only because of the fact that we have so many creative midfielders. I heard that he can play in a deeper role kind of like Carrick?? Is that where his future will be?? I haven’t seen any of him yet at all :/
Hey J were has Barazite gone off coz he shud hav played en I hop Murphy cn stay injury free atleast til da end of the season.
Hey J were has Barazite gone off coz he shud hav played en I hop Murphy cn stay injury free atleast til da end of the season. Den mayb he cn do a Diaby en gt a gud preseason.
i honestly think freeman has a huge future
Awesome report today!
J
Has Coquelin progressed in his RB?
why isn’t özyakup starting games?
my bad, meant barazite, not özyakup
I know Barazite was in the squad for the Emirates tournament. Maybe needs rest or picked up a knock. But I’m certainly keen to see him get a run of games and push for the first team next season.
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Good report – well done, kids.
But do we now not get the report on loanees? That’s always interesting.
{{{{ Lightning quick Arsenal starlet tipped for big future
Derby County manager Nigel Clough has tipped on-loan Arsenal star Gilles Sunu for a bright future in football, and warned Arsene Wenger’s rivals that the forward has pace to burn.
The 18-year-old is a French footballer of Togolese descent and is highly regarded by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger making his debut for the Gunners in the League Cup against West Bromwich Albion, as well appearing as a substitute in the Champions League against Olympiakos.
Sunu has signed a long-term deal at the Emirates and the on-loan Derby County winger is highly regarded by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. The winger has performed at every youth level for France and is being touted as a future forward for the national team.
Derby County boss Nigel Clough is convinced Sunnu has what it takes to make it big in English football:
“Sunu’s pace frightens people but he has to learn to use it more. Like most Arsenal players, he wants the ball to feet a lot which is lovely but he has to recognise that he is very quick, so needs to use that pace.
Clough continued: “Push the ball past a defender and go. He did it once against Middlesbrough out wide and went past David Wheater like he wasn’t there. The defender brought him down and was booked.
“So Sunu has to recognise that side to his game but he’s 18 and it is all experience for him. I think he has improved in each game but there is an awful lot more to come from him.
Despite Sunu’s continued progression at Derby County, Clough also pointed out that the Frenchman must work on his finishing and final ball. He said:
“The only thing the other night that was a bit disappointing and frustrating was that there was no end product. He got himself into some great positions and we got him the ball in some great positions but he did not put a cross or a shot in.
“But this is his first taste of the Championship. He has played four or five times and is learning.” }}}
I think Derby Boss is really going to help Sunu to become a great LW and if he wants him for another season then I would love to see Sunu spend another season with Derby.
He’s helping him learn to cross and run without the ball, I hope he can be turned into Antonio Valencia mould.
We need someone with good crossing ability and if Sunu keeps progressing this way then he should be in the arsenal team in a year or two.
I noticed this kid’s huge potential over a year ago and i said the same thing. When he improves his running off the ball and end product he will be truly special. He isn’t an Antonio Valencia type though (he’s more of a forward than a winger). I also believe that he’ll go onto being a bigger star than Kakuta (saying that from a strictly impartial perspective).
Watched the first half yesterday , thought eastmond did well.
Barazite was sitting in the stands and must be injured.
I refuse to get to excited about all these young players, when you do thats when you get disappointed. i just wish them luck and wait because there have been to many hyped up and where are they now, in the lower leagues or some rubbish league.
completely agree. i remember randall when he played the last game of the premiership 2 years(debut) and nearly scored. he was getting all hyped and everything but look what happened now.
another player is gilbert when he started playing as a 19 year old because of injuries to others.
saying yeah he looks good but I am not getting excited is just bloody boring.
Sometimes hype about a player turn out to be true e.g Wilshere, Fabregas, Gibbs and even players like Lasnbury, Bartley, Sunu are all doing great job in their loan spell
Right now all the hype is about Wellington SIlva and I think this hype is justified but he may become a world class or an average player, all of this will depend on how he uses his talent.
This was a good win.
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