Arsenal will face Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Premier Academy League after a disappointing final day of the season for the Gunners. The Group A title was wrapped up many moons ago so Steve Bould named an experimental team for today’s trip to Crystal Palace. Jeffery Monakana’s strike was a rare highlight in a 4-1 thrashing.
Palace had former Gunner Charlie Mann between the sticks and it was he who proved victorious against his ex employers. Manchester United beat Everton 2-0 to win Group C, adding to their Reserves League North title earned in midweek.
Elsewhere, Benik Afobe is the Lamb Awards sponsored Young Guns Player of the Month for April. The powerful striker consolidated his position as the Under 18’s top scorer with three goals, all key ones in London derbies, including a last minute equaliser against Tottenham.
Benik’s month began on the 5th with a run out as a second half sub for the Reserves, but 5 days later he starred in a trip to Charlton. He turned in another brilliant shift, plowing the channels in a fierce fixture. He grabbed the leveller to make it 1-1, then the 17-year-old setup Zak Ansah for the winner.
Next up, West Ham came to London Colney and Afobe proved desicive, bagging the only goal in the 43rd minute. A start and 77 minutes in the Reserves’ final game of the season was then sandwiched between the North London derby. With the scores at 2-1 to Tottenham, Benik’s stunning volley with the last kick of the game salvaged a point against a strong Spurs XI.
Do you guys think that afobe will be our new number 9??
I really hope Benik makes the push into reguarly starting for the reserves next season as he looks to have a great future. I just hope he lives up to the promise hes showing as if he does he could be a great player for us.
Are the reserve or u18 games going to televised next season?
At least the upcoming game against ManU must be broadcast somewhere?
I trust you J, but since I live in f””ing Sweden it would be nice to get a first hand opinion on these youngsters before they go out on loan. Maybe you can still my curiosity by publishing som lists of the most promising ones this summer.
Thanks for a great blog
And do anyone know if Wellington will be allowed to play straightaway for Arsenal (like them brazilian Nevilles at United) or will he be subject to the same procedure as Botelho and Vela? Hope he’s got the playing attitude of Ronaldinho and the party attitude of Denilson!
Well, Barca made a BIG push to sign Benik, so he must be a very hot prospect to draw the attention of Barca.
Hope no one becomes our new number 9; that shirt number is jinxed and we should retire it if/when Eduardo leaves.
when does the united game take place ??
We had better keep an eye on Pogba and Ravel Morrison because they will destroy us if we are not carefull.
Morrison has been very hit and miss this season. Pogba is a brilliant player and Will Keane is a goal machine (a true fox-in-the-box). We have to watch out for their Italian lad (forgot his name), Josh King (great talent) and they have a great little player in CM in the boy Cole, not to mention Ajose who is their most improved player. Add all this to a very solid defence and our lads have their work cut out for themselves.
The games on Friday, at 11AM, might be on MUTV? Will be a really tough game, United have some great talents in Pogba, King, Keane, Petrucci, Ajose, Morrison.
@TJ DA GOON
Mprrison has been out of the team for a lot of the season, but he has come back straight into the thick of things recently and has been playing very well indeed. He was on the scoresheet against Everton on tuesday too. Everything you said about their other players I agree with. This is going tp be a very tough game indeed.
Does anyone know what happened to the Martín Galván rumour. YG had posted that he is set to sign for arsenal. Absolutely no hint of progress !!
They do have a very good team, pogba is suspended so thats one less to worry about! It should be a good game of football but i think josh king will have to much for miquel and boateng! Really need aneke to play well as he is he most dangerous player we have and could make all the difference
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/8137121.Josh_guns_for_top_with_Arsenal/
Some rumours saying that Arsenal have offered Chesney to a several Championship clubs for the next season.
yes, heard it, too. So I am sure we will bid for HArt and have other targets in mind!!!
Lol @ being ‘sure we will bid for Hart’. How can you be sure about anything that goes on behind the scenes? There are millions of factors the club takes into consideration. This isn’t Football Manager.
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/8137121.Josh_guns_for_top_with_Arsenal/