Arsenal Reserves kick off their Emirates Airline Football 7’s tournament in today in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Neil Banfield has taken a 12 man squad out to the desert to compete with seven of the biggest names in club football from around the world.
The Gunners’ group consists of Feyenoord, Blackburn, and Olympiacos while the other pool contains AC Milan, Brondby, Celtic and Leeds United. Each team fields seven players with eight minutes per half and a two minute half time break. Substitutes can be used at any point with a roll on and off system being in operation. The tournament is designed to test the technical and team working skills of the players as they use their tricks and skills to beat opponents and score. The full list of rules is Here.
There is also Arsenal interest in another section of the competition, with the Gunners sending out a Legends team. Former Highbury favourites Anders Limpar and John Jensen are among a selection of former pros signed up to play. AC Milan are favourites to collect the gong for for this section, though, as they boast a side which includes Paolo Di Canio, Paolo Maldini and Christian Vieri to name just a few. You can view the complete set of legend players for each team Here.
Banfield has taken a strong side which will be captained by Luke Ayling. Dutchman Nacer Barazite is the senior figure of the squad while James Shea is the only goalkeeper. The full 12 man team is as follows:
James Shea, Sam Byles, Francis Coquelin, Luke Ayling, Cedric Evina, Thomas Cruise, Emmanuel Frimpong, Ignasi Miquel, Nacer Barazite, Luke Freeman, Conor Henderson, Rhys Murphy.
Young Guns will be updating you on the progress of the side during their stay in Dubai.
Update: Arsenal 2-1 Feyenoord (Murphy and Freeman) – Arsenal 1-1 Blackburn (Cruise)
Sounds like a very interesting competition indeed. :D
@Andrew were you watching Espn Press Pass too why do these people always write us off
anyway you focused on this season I focused on what they said about our future and importantly what they said about us being too light upfront
So I started thinking what will our team will be next season considering as things stand now
I took into assumption that gallas and Merida will renew their contracts and we sign Chamak and Stefan Savic and wont sell any of our first team players
So lets start from Attack
these are the players we should have next season Upfront
Bendtner, Van Persie, Chamak, Vela, Eduardo, Arshavin, Nasri, Walcott, Rosicky
Arshavin ———————- Chamak —————— Van Persie
(Nasri, Vela) ——— (Eduardo, Bendtner) —— (Walcott, Rosicky)
that’s plenty of height upfront and a good amount of cover if one gets injured.
These players should be Sold – Simpson (Celtic) and maybe Murphy
Players who will be Loaned – Sunu, Watt and Barazite (high hopes for him)
Now lets go to the Midfield
these are the players we will have in the middle
Denilson, Song, Norvedit (possibly), Cesc, Diaby, WIlshere, Nasri, Merida (I dont want to include Ramsey in their because as we know it take a lot of time to fully recover)
———————————– Song
————————–(Norvedit, Denilson)
———- Fabregas ————————————– Diaby
(Wilshere, Merida, Nasri) ————————– (Wilshere, Denilson)
Players who could be SOLD – Randall, Nortvedit (possibly)
Players who should be send on loan – Lansbury (EPL side), Merida (6 months), Frimpong, JET, Eastmond
Now lets go to the Defense
these are the players we will have in the Defense
Sagna, Eboue, Sol (upto wenger), Vermaelen, Gallas, Djourou, Stefan, Clichy, Gibbs, Traore
Sagna ————————– Gallas ———————- Vermaelen ———————- Clichy
(Eboue, Djourou) ——- ((Djourou, Sol) ————- (Stefan, Djourou) —— (Gibbs, Traore)
Players who should be RELEASED next season —- Silvestre, Sendros, Bothelo, Gilbert, Hoyte
Players who will be Loaned Next Season – Coquelin, Bartley
So this what our team would look like next season
—————————————————– Almunia —————————————————
——————————————- ( Fabianski, Martinez ) —————————————-
Sagna ————————– Gallas ———————- Vermaelen ———————- Clichy
( Eboue, Djourou ) —– ( (Djourou, Sol ) —– ( Stefan, Djourou ) —– ( Gibbs, Traore )
—————————————————— Song ——————————————————-
———————————————( Norvedit, Denilson ) ——————————————
—————— Fabregas ——————————————– Diaby——————————-
——-( Wilshere, Merida, Nasri ) —————— ( Wilshere, Denilson )————————–
—— Van Persie —————————- Chamak ——————————— Arshavin —–
—– ( Walcott, Rosicky ) ————– ( Eduardo, Bendtner ) ————— ( Nasri, Vela )
SO these are all the players who will be Sold – Simpsons (QPR), Murphy, Randall
Players who will be Released – Silvestre, Sendros, Norvedit (possibily), Bothelo, Gibert, Hoyte
Players who will be Loaned – Mannone, Wzscheny, Bartley, Coquelin, Lansbury, Merida, Frimpong, JET, Sunu, Watt, Barazite
PHEW
that took a while WOW I guess Andrew I wasn’t going to do it first but since you did something like this I thought I will chip in as well
One final comment we are going to KiCKA$$ next season I would love to see so called pundits from Soccernet Press Pass try and write this team off.
We are at least 3 man deep in every position and our attack is as lethal as you can be in EUROPE. Next season lets go for FA CUP, Carling CUP, EPL and Champions League.
But the imporatnt thing is to focus on this season lets try and win EPL and CL and we can try and better ourselves by winning 4 trophies next season.
norvedit is a centre back pal
I basically agree with just about everything you have said, but take issue with you on something unsaid.
I believe Almunia is the weakest goalkeeper in the PL. If he had not given away a stupid penalty and claimed Gigg’s free kick before Diaby had a chance to put through his own goal, then we would have won at Old Trafford. Three points off United’s total and three onto ours would put us top of the league right now and could make the difference from us being Champions this season. And please dont even draw me into discussing Fabianski.
There has never been a truly great team without a world-class goalkeeper which we certainly do not possess right now
@ navan gooner
Norvedit is better at the DM position than at CB. He reads the game very intelligently and I am sure if wenger keeps him then he will be deployed as a DM just like Song.
@ clockendjim
we over exaggerate on Almunia’s mistake, he did nothing wrong in coming for the ball against rooney he felt like he had and he went for it. It was the wrong decision but keeper do make mistakes. All of them do can you name one who hasn’t
Almunia is also a senior figure head in the team he provides guidance to our young players and we need players like him to help out our young side. On the matter of Fabianski I think he’s an excellent shot stopper but he does need to keep his concentration from the word go and stop having his nervous moments.
I don’t think Fabianski will make it but the fact that wenger thinks he can make it is good enough for me. He hardly ever gets these kind of things wrong so lets see. I think it will be between Mannone and Wzscheny.
So where is Ramsey?
if you read the post then you will know where Ramsey is.
YG
Two questions
Why hasn’t Sanchez Watt gone to the tournament is he going on Loan Shortly
and
any news on Merida? is he injured or is just being shunned out
thanks and keep up all your good work
They can sue us under the Trades Description Act. Whos kidding who when the word “legend” is applied to our list of players. Who the effing hell is Mathew Joseph? Then theres such greats as David Hillier. How embarrassing is that?
It would be just plain sad if Milan don’t win the seniors competition! Their side puts the rest to shame.
I normally find this kind of stuff a major snooze – you only need to look at the Chelsea and Manure “Legends” teams to work out why. For us, Hillier and Selley bring back memories that most gooners thought they’d repressed. Definitely two names that put the Wenger era into perspective. I always liked that Scandinavian trio though, despite all the jokes about John Jensen.
oshea and joseph??? legends cmon,what a joke,
basically its our reserve team from the cup winners cup run in 95!
i reckon that milan team is stronger than the team united pumped the other nite,lol.
Hillier & Selley both have European Winners Medals, how many of the current crop can claim that! Legends win medals not just play keepy uppy
It’s nice memory, and came during a bad time for the club, but the CWC was the Carling Cup of European Football. We have far bigger fish to fry these days. You’d have to be mental to call Hillier or Selley legends when you look the players that went before and have come since – as well the ones that are playing for the club right now.
C’mon Jamie, give us something ’bout Merida, you should been able to dig out what’s going on???
why isn’t Sanchez Watt there?
Just saw this article on arsenal.com check out the video and you can see Chucks and Benik after the Rapids vs Reserves game: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/free-video-colorado-rapids-visit-arsenal?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arsenal-news+%28News+Feed%29
clockendjim
wat about barcelona, victor valdes is not a good keeper
but i have to say almunia is crap
Almunia is not crap
OK did he make any mistake in the porto game . NO ( he made an excellent save and kept his angles right)
In the Burnley game did he make any mistake. NO
The game before that NO
when will you understand he’s a good keeper and you should give him the credit that he’s due but I agree he’s not world class
BUT his impact on team off the pitch is even more useful – he’s helps our young players. I remember Craig Eastmond first game in the PL, he helped that kid out a lot, he was the one who was talking to him,telling him what to do, where to stand and you need players like that.
We are a very young squad (average age 22) and we need senior figure heads in the team to keep the team going into the right direction.
Sol involvement in the team has been nothing less than incredible. Sol is the one helping JET out of the pitch to help him change his attitude and he’s the one who’s giving Bartley out and giving him guidance on how to get better.
These players do more off the pitch then most on it so Wenger is doing the right and I respect him for it
I think It depends on the way u see it.
If u talk about clubs outside the top 6, then u may consider Almunia as a decent GK.
But if you talk about a club that has an ambition to win the Premier League trophy (like Arsenal for example), then we all have to be honest with our self.. ALMUNIA IS CRAP!!! period
The only that’s good about him is his price, which is ZEEEROOO…. (Speaking of which, now I understand why he is being released by his old club)
@ Giandano
I can see what you’re saying when you look at Almunia then you really dont see a great goalkeeper you see a decent goalkeeper but If we do replace Almunia with a world class keeper then I am afraid that we might lose keepers like Tech 9 or Mannone
As long as Almunia is behind the sticks they know that they can be no.1 but for e.g if we buy Lloris then they keepers like Fabianski or Mannone wont improve since they know they will never have a chance against Lloris.
Tech 9 might decide that he’s not getting first team experience and decide to move elsewhere.
I think the way Mannone and Tech9 are developing they will take over the sticks in a couple of years until then why waste something like 25 million (fees+wages) on a keeper that you wont need in a couple of years.
I really think Almunia is doing an OK job lets him do it.
IMO there are very few world class keepers about, there are zero in the prem. In fact i would go as far to say the only true world class keeper is Buffon.
I base this upon days gone by. There are very few keepers that are always “the first name on the team sheet” In the past the England had Clemence, Shilton, Seaman (for a little while) Now you can hardly choose between Green, James, Hart, Robinson, Kirkland, Carson, Foster and to be honest if they were English, Almunia, Fabianski, Mannone and Chesney would be no better and no worse than that lot. Chelsea have Cech – never been the same since the injury, would you say thir keeper situation with Hilario and Turnbull is better than ours? Utd have Van der Saar – nearly finished, would you say Kuzach, Foster and Heaton makes their back up better? and as for Liverpool, Man City, Spurs, Villa – Liverpool have the best of the lot and he cannot even make No.1 for his country.
City have the best in Shay Given always admired him the best keeper in EPL is Given
GIven is a great shot shopper but a poor organizer.
Goalkeepers need to dominate their area and direct the defence.
Given looks great on the highlight reel, yet all his teams seem to feature some shocking defence. Just ask any Newcastle fan how much happier they are with Steve Harper
Banfield? Argentina? I hope the guys do well.
Reina, Van der Sar, Casillas, Buffon, Given, and Julio Cesar are all world class. The media coverage nowadays amplifies any mistakes that keepers might make. These are only the best keepers in my opinion.
I think from all these player Casillas has the hardest job from all those players.
Juve plays more tactical defense football so does Inter
Van Der Sar is covered by some excellent defenders
And Benitez two holding midfielders strategy is well known
But yeah they are all world class I would however add Cech and Valdes in their
Some people say that Cech is not the player he used to be before his injury but before his injury he was the best (a beast in front of goal) but he’s still very good and Valdes too has a very hard job to keep clean sheet with Barca’s attacking prowess.
But the good thing is that from all the goalkeepers who can become a future great we have two with very bright future.
Tech9 from the saves I have seen him make is sure to be one of the greatest goalkeepers in History and Mannone with the way he performed for us when Almunia and Fabianski were out shows the potential of the Italian. I rate him very highly buy not higher than Tech 9.
P.S If anyone can watch a game of Brentford then please do so. Ever since reports starting appearing about how well Tech9 is doing I have tried to either watch their match or at least watch the highlights and there’s always one or two saves that he makes that you will have to call as world class saves.
I mean the way he reacts and the way he puts his body on the line is unbelievable he just doesn’t want to concede even if he has to get injured for it.
Whats the score versus olympiakos? it isnt out yet is it? tried looking for it and couldnt find it
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/dubai-7s-update-reserves-and-legends
Pingback: 3/13/2010 Update « DubaiScene
can anyone understand how the legends are through to the final after a 4-0 defeat to milan in the quarters?
They are in a competition that is for the loser. They do this to give every team at last 4 games, even if they lose the in the group stages.
In the semi-finals. come on! first trophy in 5 years
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3157804/youth/arsenal-yth-v-milton-keynes-dons-yth?tab=report
BTW, Wilshere started on the left-wing for Bolton in their 4-0 win over Wigan at Reebok. He was their weakest player and didn’t do anything particularly creative or useful. Sky Sports jugded him “Sloppy”
WE weren’t great today either
no one can have the best games of their life every week
Wilshere can’t be solid every fuckin game. He just can’t. I’m not gonna panic over one game. YAY FOR THE FIRST TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D
I understand JET scored again today for Doncaster…and apparently it was a screamer. They’re already saying it’s certain to be in the running for CCC Goal of the Season.
That’s 3 goals in 3 starts for Doncaster….as a 19 year old!!!!!!
This kid is doing brilliantly so far!!!!!!!!
Yeah, JET is doing very well right now.
I wonder why J doesn’t post anything about JET’s performance vs Derby. Yes, I know you are one of JET’s doubters (you did say he wont make it at Arsenal) but come on… any good news about our youngster is always worth reading, you should spread the good news J. Btw, if anyone has any video highlights of this Doncaster game (especially video that shows JET’s wonder strike), please post it.
Thanks
I believe J said that he was going to the Arsenal match at Hull today so he wouldn’t be posting anything. I don’t think it has to do with any sort of anti-JET conspiracy.
Who said anything about conspiracy? No need to be so serious, I’m just playin mate… (^_^)
Anyway, thanks for the info Amerigoon.. I’m just gonna do some research about the doncaster vs derby game by my self then. Can anyone help me w/ some links of video highlights, match analysis or article maybe… Anything that can help me assess JET’s performance during the game. Thanks
Bendtner is getting into the right places that’s very important and very impressive next step will be to improve his finishing.
Bendtner has excellent height, excellent header, good ball control and now he’s making impressive runs behind the defense the last step is finishing skills after that he will be a complete players but still impressive for a 22 old.
Is their any player that I thought wasn’t a good player that’s not going to become a world class player? Diaby, Song all have become great players. Walcott and Bendtner have now started to look like great players.
This is getting embarrassing for me
@Sam good team analysis but I dont know if Norvedit will be with us next season and I think we should have Bartley in first team he has done a very good job for Sheffield United
HAHA found it
I found JET’s brace he scored in his first game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSrgsByFm08
Now i need to find his wonder strike that he scored against Derby County
Andrew I think Norvedit will stay with us Wenger wont invest so much in him if he didn’t think he will make it.
Here:
http://www.soccerclips.net/videos/jay-emmanuel-thomas-goal-vs-derby
The quality is pretty bad for some reason, but you can download the original file
Thanks a lot…
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