Arsenal’s Under 18’s celebrated winning the Academy League Group A title with a 1-0 win over West Ham United this morning in a re-arranged fixture at London Colney. Leading marksman Benik Afobe notched the winner just before half time.
Steve Bould resisted the opportunity to rotate and instead named his strongest lineup against the Hammers. Indeed, the side was so strong, it showed only two changes from the XI which beat Portsmouth’s Reserves earlier in the week with the ineligible James Shea and Nacer Barazite being replaced with James Dunn and Roarie Deacon.
Dunn
Hajrovic – Boateng – Miquel – Evina
Aneke – Yennaris – Henderson
Deacon – Afobe – Freeman
Arsenal began well in the St Albans sunshine in what proved to be a typical fiery fixture. Yet with both sides heading towards a stalemate at the break, the deadly Afobe forced home what proved to be the winner in the 43rd minute.
The Gunners have just two games left of the regular season, and both are London derbies. At the weekend they host Tottenham Hotspur at Colney before a yet to be arranged trip to Crystal Palace. Then the crucial play offs begin with Bould’s boys all but certain to face Leicester City over two legs. A win over the Foxes would put them into the final.
What are these play offs I have been reading about,?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWD1MKvUW-8&feature=related. Great video of wellington silva. plus what is this about J wellington silva crying on camera please find out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCHvPhbDwCc&feature=related
Nice win! What’s the deal with Tottenham I thought they got rid of the youth set-up playing competitively ? Or just the reserve team?
I’m noticing a lot of center-backs in our fold that are going to be awesome but seems we might be creating a jam up in the positon Bartley/Ayling need a hard look in the pre-season?
Good luck Young Guns! and Thanks
Thanks mate!
Tottenham decided to get rid of their Reserves team because they felt it wasn’t competitive enough in Reserves League South. They now arrange regular friendlies instead. They’ve kept their youth teams, though.
I think there’s a normal amount of a centre backs. Rhema Obed is leaving in the summer, plus Sam Byles so it opens up defensive places.
So its Arsenal vs Manchester united in the youth league play offs?
J.,
How many goals does Afobe have for the season. The site indicates 12, but is that the latest update. Seems he’s scored several since I last saw him sitting on 12…?
Good point by MattMQ re. the center backs: Bartley, Ayling, Miquel, Hjrovic, and possibly even Boateng (though I rate him far below the others) all look like solid prospects at the CB position.
J., any thoughts on who among them is most likely to come through?
afobe has 17 goals, freeman has 15, decaon has 12 and aneke has 8
Thanks Jandoo!
We havent got a centre back in the youth team whos got the whole package.
Every defender we got is different.
Bartley is big, physical
Ayling leader, passion, never say die attitude
Miquel good intercpeter, good left foot
hajrovic very agressive
Nordtveit- Stylish, composed, elegant.
LoL….How do you know that? Have you seen them to play or just guess that?
I think Kyle Bartley is close to the whole package. Tall, strong, powerful, quick good in the air. He’s really got it all. He’s a little shaky sometimes, though.
Hey J,
thought I’d let you know that i’ve heard Phil Roberts, the trialist from Norwich, has been offered a contract…… from what I’ve been told
Well done lads. That’s four league titles in a row i believe.
Portsmouth Reserves 0 – 3 Arsenal Reserves
Arsenal under 18’s 1 – 0 West Ham under 18’s
Very surprising scorelines. Anyone know why?
Winning the Group is a decent achivement but with the amount we spend it’s really expected. It’s important now we go on and do well in the play offs for it to really count.
Kyle bartley quick? His he cause i kind of looks slow for me and he does look shaky in possesion sometimes
It’s because he’s so tall and has long legs. Like Sol Campbell doesn’t look quick because he’s a huge unit. But you’ve seen him out pace the likes of Bale in the 93rd minute and stuff like this.
Bartley is quite quick and he reads everything so well.
Hey J, I thought Martin Angha was a centre back. He’s playing right back now though right?? What’s his best postition?? I know he’s only 16 or 17 so he’s a ways away from the 1st team yet, but he sounds really promising, and a lot of people are wondering about the centre back situation. If any one of the previously mentioned centre halves is looking really promising then it might be counter productive to bring in a centreback that is only a bit older like Jerome Boateng. It might be better to bring in one whom is a little older. Like mid to late 20’s.
Hi Milo,
Yes Martin is a centre back by trade, but he’s at home anywhere across the back four or in midfield. He’s a big star in Switzerland and the reputation he’s gaining already isn’t a surprise. This is a kid who bleeds Arsenal and now doubt his passion and love for the club is a part of why he’s done so well.
The issue is players in front of him are on more money and more experienced so he’ll have to wait for his time, but it will come.
I think it’s worthwhile bringing in an experienced defender anyway, regardless of the prospects coming through. Everybody says they want Boateng, but when if he signs people will complain he’s not experienced enough.
JS Nicklas Bendtner i know hes quick but most ppl think hes slow and sluggish.
In the reserves youth teams he waas brilliant at running at players but now he looks a different player. He hardly gets the ball and runs at players do you think hes lot a bit of pace?
I know he did 60/100 metres for dnaish junior teams but he seems to have lost his electric pace he had and doesnt do what he was good at doing in the youth team getting the ball and running at players. What do you think JS?
Great points, John.
I think the issue is that the role he plays now, he doesn’t get opportunity to show his pace. When he played in the Reserves, he played in a 4-4-2 and often skipped down the wings and then came inside. The position he plays now, he’s down the middle the whole time. He has wingers either side so can’t really drift and go past players, instead he has to learn a new role in the congested middle of the position.
He’s got a good turn of speed, though. You’re spot on.
Sanderson seems you rate Bartley very highly. I think he’s one to make the first team. What about Freeman? Came with a lot of hype. Any chance he’ll do “a Wilshere?” i.e. skip the reserves and make the first team?
Well Wilshere did skip the reserves before he made the first team squad but he ended up playing reserve football anyway so although he got the #19 I don’t see much difference.
What I think might be wrong with Arsenal
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/382494-theres-something-very-wrong-with-this-arsenal-side
Totally agree a good centre back is required – thought and blogged exactly that last summer. To a certain extent we have done well considering JD got ruled out for the season and TV was new to the English game. He and Gallas stayed injury free for the first 3/4’s of the season – yet again though the depth of the squad has been tested at the end!
As this site clearly informs us week in week out we have an aray of up and coming centre backs. But not ready to replace the aging Gallas, Campbel, Silvertre, and departing Senderous.
Who do you think we can realistically buy in the summer? I do not think age should be the deciding factor – as TV is only 23 yet has shown 95% of the time great maturity and experience.
Originally I was keen on Hangeland – perfect to sort out our frailties in set pieces and the ariel threat, plus strong enough to deal with the likes of Calton Cole, Drogba, Heskey. Yet with Arsenals high line and attacking football, do we then create another problem by allowing counter attacking speedy strickers room to strech a slower defence?
How about Mic Richards?
1. Expressed a desire to join Arsenal in the past
2. English – potential to be an England regular (will increase his value & help Arsenal with balance)
3. Struggling at City currently who may allow him to leave
4. Though normally a RB, has previously shown his strengths in the middle which would suit us
5. Versitile – if Sagna or Eboue move on (hopefully the latter) Richards offers cover across the back
This way we could hope Gallas commits for another season, giving Richards the opportunity to challange at RB & CB , while using Campbel for that expereicne not only in the odd game but also on the training ground and in the dressing room – as he still looks to have some great assets which out young defenders can learn from (even if he is a bit mixed up in the head!)
The potential sales of Eboue, Almunia and Troae would help to fund Richards & Hart!
Just my thoughts…
I think Arsene will find another gem of a player a player who we havent heard of at all like he did with Vermaelen I want an experienced keeper and CB this time no kids we have too many coming out right now
I dont believe Richards is the answer for the following points,
1. City would be looking for big money.
2. His positional sense is awful. He has power and pace and looked a world beater but that with Richard Dunne beside him …..after Dunne was sold to Villa you realised that it was his experience that was covering alot of Richrds mistakes and this was shown up in the games that followed.
Arsenal we need a defender who can read the game is strong has good positional awareness a good organiser and can get stuck into a player if needed.. not much to ask I know. They are hard to find Vidic springs to mind and he cant be got…
how about Cahill I saw the Chelsea game (to see how wilshere plays) and I thought he did a great job for them, he’s 6’2 and Bolton have struggled without him. He kept Drogba quiet which when it comes to our derby game with Chelsea means win or lose
What do you think of Christoph Metzelder? I am not going to say that Wenger will sign him but he does look likely that he will come and If anyone has seen him play then do they think that he’s a good CB?
From what I saw on wiki he’s 6’4 so tall and abviously powerfull but what about his reading of the game and his pace. I dont think a Madrid reject is a bad signing just look at how good Sneijder and Robben has turned out.
Hi John, Yes I agree that Richards main weakness is his positional play – he will fit in just right at Arsenal!!!
No on a serious note I think he has lots to learn in that department, but he is probably quicker than an aging Gallas, much stronger, and English. And lets be honest for a player of Gallas experience and age his positional play has been poor at times. Plus it maybe that Micah actually ends up as our RB, as I think he is, or can be with more of a run in the prem, a better option for England than Johnson.
And yes if we can find a CB who matches all of your criteria at the right price then I would be over the moon!
James maybe Cahill is this ‘one’, but if he makes the WC then watch his price rocket and the likes of United and Liverpool start bidding.
I dont think Cahill will make it he has players like Ferdinand, Terry, Upson and was the name of that former everton player now with city cant remember his name but he is the one for the future and even if he makes the WC he has to play and perform really really well in the WC to make his price sky rocket. Also I think a loan spell for Wilshere to Bolton next summer might play a part in the transfer. I would even send Vela on loan to Bolton if that’s possible they need better striker, we need to give Vela more playing time and they play with two striker and Vela can play just behind kevin davies.
lescott should definately not make the world cup. A bit out of subject with centre backs but i think scott parker should make england’s world cup squad and as people have been talking about melo for arsenal, why not parker.
first he’s a midfielder and not a defender
second thanks for lescott thing
Im really looking forward to a centre back partnership of angha and hajrovic as they remind me of ferdinand and vidic(hajrovic looks more comfortable on the ball)
I think they will be form a patnership next year wont they. Ignasi will turn 18 and will surely move to reserves and a loan spell same for Ayling and Bartley
YG
what your opinion on our defenders conundrum
We right now have Sendros, Silvestre, Gallas, Sol, Vermaelen, Djourou from all these players Sendros, SIlvestre are sure to leave I think Wenger will keep Sol but Gallas I think is Roma bound.
Wenger has said he likes 5 CBs
So how about Vermaelen, Djourou, Metzelder (free), Cahill (10-15 million) and Sol
made a slideshow about arsenal and who we need next season
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/382609-players-i-want-wenger-to-sign
Honestly who cares if they are English??? The majority of Pl fans are foreginers anyway. Most of the merchandise sold are going abroard. Most people buy pacage hollidays to go to footballmatches for the big 5. It is a myth that englush players are so superior to foreginers. If they were you would win WC and EC all the time and you havent won since when?
The only really good player England has is Rooney, except from him the profiles in PL are mostly foreginers. Torres, drogba , cesc, Tevez, Malouda, Anelka, Essien, Nani, Valencia, Vidic, Ade(blurgh), De Jong, Palacio, Boassong(meh do not know that many Tottenham players tbh but many of their 1st team are foregin.)
Even all british VIlla has a foregin captain!
As long as they go as homegrown and can play in CL then i dont care really…..English is ok, foregin is ok aslong as they want to play for Arsenal and are willing to bleed for the club.
John- Sorry and who was covering for Dunne when he was getting pissed on by average Prem forwards Distin. Dunne is a typical wholehearted prem carthorse whose made a decent career on limited talent . Richards is still learning the centre half role and will be better than Dunne in his sleep.
Here the 5 top reserves goal of the year. Barazite has taked the number one and two. I hope he will make it in the fist team!
same I want to see Barazite be included in first team next year I think he has earned it if needed send him out on loan again but atleast include him in the first team
Upss forget the Link:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/reserves-top-five-goals-of-the-season
When I first saw Micah Richards 2 or 3 years ago, I was very impressed, but with all the injuries and things he hasn’t really developed as quickly as he could, and would have. I don’t know if he is worth it or not. It’s 50/50 really. We haven’t been linked with him recently and he hasn’t come up in amy interviews with wenger either. Now Metzelder is a different story altogether. Arsene ‘joked’ about signing Real Madrid’s summer rejects citing the signings of robben and Sneijder and remarking upon how successful they have proven to be. Was he joking then??? Wow that would be some hint wouldn’t it??? He never does that so I don’t think it will happen. If we do sign Metzelder it’s not like we can’t say he didn’t warn us, hahaha. I’ve heard that Metzelder is very slow. I haven’t seen much of him at all to be honest. Does anyone actually know how good he is??
I think Wenger has to purchase Eden Hazard as a part of that 5 needed players just because we need a winger/playmaker of his calibre. Atleast one natural winger who can create something out of nothing. He will add something different to the team so I say buy two center backs, a Goal keeper, Winger(Edin Hazard) and i dont care who the last one is going to be maybe just give a youngster that chance or bring in both Patrick Viera and Henry to educate this team with some mental strenght to understand what it takes to be winners. These players need to show that they love the club at heart and go all out every game. Viera can help song and denilson better understand the role of a defensive midfielder.. and henri can help players like walcott, bendtner, vela and other young strikers with there positioning and striking technique. Walcott for example sometimes try to pull off one of henry’s famous moves like curling the ball to the far top which he always comes close which henri taught him before he left. but i think if henri comes back we will be the team to beat. united kept scholes, giggs and neville and they educate the team on how to be winners and let the youngsters know that BS is not tolerated when on the pitch like losing focus or slacking off. Thats why united play so go..our players lack that role model..ever since sol came back our back line looked very disciplined..even though we were scared to play sol they proved us wrong. its only silvestre who proved us right about him needing to go. It is very sickening that everytime we had the chance to go on top this year we give chelsea and united the chance to recover when they slip up by us slipping up…every single time when we are to be on top we mess it up some thing stupid happens..
as for the goalkeeping problem I wrote an aricle if you have time please take a look and leave a comment
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/383121-is-wojciech-szczesny-ready-to-be-arsenal-no1-next-season?just_published=1
i have the whole pakage as a centre back, i was unforuate with injury thoe and now have decided not not play academy football, i was destined for big thing at blues
sorry but who are you