Arsenal’s Reserves League South campaign finished with a bang this evening after a 3-0 win over Portsmouth at West Leigh Park. First half thunder bolts from Chuks Aneke and Nacer Barazite combined with a late Jernade Meade effort saw the Gunners claim the three points needed to guarantee a second placed finish.
Shea
Hajrovic – Boateng – Miquel (c) – Evina
Aneke – Yennaris – Henderson
Barazite – Afobe – Freeman
Subs: McDermott, Angha, Edge, Meade, Deacon.
Match Report – Portsmouth 0-3 Arsenal
Arsenal kicked the first half off in glorious spring sunshine. A large selection of fans from both sides had bought soccer tickets for the clash atWest Leigh Park, the home of Havant & Waterlooville. The visitors were keen to finish the season in fine form and the explosive Barazite led the charge. Two early saves from former trialist Liam O’Brien were needed to keep the scores level.
It took just 17 minutes for the pressure to toll and how. Aneke strode forward from the middle of the park and unleashed a thunderbolt from all of 25 yards into the net. Chuks then had another opportunity moments later to do the same thing again, but this time it was read and closed down.
A half of pressure from the Gunners came to a head with Hajrovic forcing O’Brien into a smart save from a corner and then Barazite adding Aneke’s early goal with a wonder strike of his own. This time from 35 yards, the brilliant Dutchman took aim and slammed the ball down the home goalkeepers throat and into the net. At the interval, it was 2-0 to the visitors.
Half Time – Portsmouth 0-2 Arsenal
With the work all but done, a timid Yennaris strike after super work from Afobe was the only action of the early stages of the second period. Portsmouth’s Nlundulu had two chances to bag key goals but Hajrovic blocked on both occasions. It was the Swiss defender’s final action, though, as compatriot Martin Angha replaced him.
Luke Freeman could have made it three before Deacon arrived on the field in place of Aneke. The game began to go stale so Banfield turned to live wire winger Jernade Meade to turn the tables, and it worked. The tiny Londoner skipped beyond the full back and hammered a low shot across the face of goal and into the corner. A fine finish from the youngster who celebrated among a selection of the football ticket holding fans.
It was the final action of the fixture. Three goals, three points but a second place finish for Arsenal.
Awesome! Did you watch the game? Some player ratings would be great!
There is´nt possible to ever see highlights from this right?
Where you there or did you read the report at Arsenal.com?
You can’t watch reserve games no longer due to lack of viewership per ArsenalTV Online? Must wait for highlights only. You can follow live text commentary on ATVO.
Nacer Barazite deserves a start along RVP in the final run-out of the premier league?
Yer good shout bout Barazite
Aneke mr master blaster
Yeah, Barazite is definitely on his way into the first team squad! He is one of many reasons why us restless, misguided fans who are demanding an end to the youth policy are just plain wrong.
It took me all damn day to read all the comments I missed yesterday bt I’m don’e for now. TJ DA GOON I’ve been saying that about eastmond all along, and so many people said that he’s not worth putting in the first team because he won’t develop into one of the best at his position in the world. I asked how they knew already and they couldn’t say. I think he reminds me a bit of Makelele. He is small but tough as hell. HE REMINDS ME OF ME. I played the exact same postition for a few years and I played injured all the time. I never let my oponent know that I was hurt. When it comes to football and athletics in general, I’m a meat and potatoes kinda guy. If you don’t want to fight for the win,if you don’t want to fight for the team, then what are you playing for?? Arshavin disgusts me. I said he was a little bitch on here and nobody said I was wrong, so I just figured that nobody agreed with me either. Denilson tries and so does Diaby BUT they are tired now AND AT CRUCIAL TIMES THEY DO NOT TEY HARD ENOUGH AT ALL. I have the exact same attitude regarding infusing youth into the first team instead of buying someone without any allegiance to Arsenal Football Club. I couldn’t agree more. I don’t know if anyone else or you will read this but I now know I’m not totally alone in how I think about what might be best for the club and how the club should move forward:D
I only comment when i feel compelled to do so mate and i have seen your comments about Eastmond before and although i agreed somewhat, i never commented on it. I think the only person who actually disagreed with you was Shane. I watched this kid play RB in the youth cup last year and although he got exposed for pace sometimes, especially against Andros Townsend of Tottenham, he never hid. He stands up to be counted and thats the type of guys you want in your football team at the end of the day. It’s just such a shame that he had to end up on the losing side yesterday because if there’s one player in the red and white who didn’t deserve that, it was him, much like Sol didn’t deserve to lose the other night against the Spuds.
As for the reserves I’m reeeaallly bumned out that Djourou couldn’t play. Does anyone know how serious it is?? He could be crucial next year, if he can stay in one flippin piece.
Well it was more than just shane I think, and I hate holding stupid arguments over people. In the end he respected my opinion, and that’s all we can ask for on here right?? And he’s proven me wrong a few times anyway. Do you think Wenger sees what we see and notices the level of committment out there?? I think he does, and he is slowly but surely trying to remedy the situation. I mean he’s got the youth set up going and he’s brought in Sol and wants to keep Gallas. I like Denilson. He’s been injured a bit for sure and has tried to play through this with quite disasterous results. But that’s the difference between him and Eastmond. Eastmond looks like he has a higher pain threshold. It looks like he can play through the minor knocks and niggles you get during every football match if you are putting in the effort and committment. If he does come good then that creates a further backlog problem in midfield which isn’t good. I don’t know how it will all play out ion the end, but I think Wenger sees the problem, as well as others and is trying to fix them. We played 3 quarters of a good season, where as last season we only played a half or maybe even a 3rd well. Next year I think we will put a whole season together.
Hi Milo, i like you are very impressed by eastmond, but do you not think he is a bit skinny and small?
I ean if Denilson comes good next year :S
barazite = pires 2.0 ???
Hi people, my first post on here.Feel compelled to enter this discussion due to the pitiful surrender at wigan. I thought Eastmond was good. Not the best passer at the club and started a little slowly. But he was one of only 3 players who recognised dangerAND actually moved their ass and made a committed attempt to do something about it ( Sol and rosicky being the others ). This is the type of attitude every player at the club must have. technique is worthless if you can’t be bothered to play the rest of the game. Hope we see more players come throught he youth system who have the same sense of responsibility and desire
Well said mate, the exact same three i had in mind when thinking to myself; who actually tried out there? Nasri’s work-rate wasn’t too bad and Nik had one of his poorer games in all aspects but even RVP came on for one minute and started fouling and going ballistic trying to win back possession. They are the actions of a man who cares and wants to win. They are the sort of players that Arsenal need. I know for a fact if we’d have kept Gilberto, this team would be so much better. He’s experienced, a leader, is brilliant at snuffing out danger, is good in the air and he actually loves this club and isn’t happy finishing third or fourth best and just collecting his wage. He’s a winner. Like Sol, like RVP, like Cesc. Arsenal lack this sort of player.
You only have to look at Birmingham City this season to see what having a very good ‘keeper and 10 others (no matter who they may be on that particular day and no matter how much of an average footballer they may be) who actually work their balls off and fight for everything, to see what can be achieved. Many tipped them to go straight back down this season but they were never in any danger. I knew they would be safe simply because McLeish is a very good motivator (just like every other Scottish manager), he’s very organised, actually teaches his teams to defend as a unit and has a few quality players who can cut it in this league.
go go go…… the young gunner…….
good game from sol again i would defo take him to the world cup the best sub defender for me forget about upson and dawson they have no chance stoping top class players. in an england shirt they have little exp sol is very good in big games at the biggest level….
Just watched reserves highlights nice freakin goals Barazite should be in the first team and get starts next season? Along with JET to replace Diaby and Lansbury @ right back? That little Meade reminds me of Theo?
We have a great future AFC!
Peace!
Where can I watch the highlights? I’m not an ATVO-subscriber.
To the norwegian gunner just subscribe it’s really cheap on a month to month basis? I’m unemployed here in the states and my awesome wife knows i can’t be without the gunners?
Best of luck!
TJ GOON THATS WHY I RAVE ABOUT HENRI LANSBURY HES A PASSIONATE, COMMITED ARSENAL THROUGH AND THROUGH PLAYER WHOS TECHNICALLY BRILLIANT.
THATS WHY I KEEP SAYING HE NEEDS TO BE GIVEN A CHANCE YPU RIGHT WE DONT HAVE PLAYERS WITH THAT MENTALITY OF WINNING like rvp, fabregas, sol campbell.
Bt i can see ppl like bendtner, clichy, ramsey having tha mentality. Henri lansbury has got that in abundance plus hes hugely talented
I agree 100% with everything you just said there.
To S, LOL yes eastmond is a bit skinny, but he’s tall enough, and he’ll fill out with age I think. He might not be the size of Song, but with his committment you do not have to be:D