A new season always brings excitement, but Neil Banfield’s Reserves have extra reasons to be feeling that new term buzz. The Reserves League has been revamped and in it’s place the fresh and exciting Premier Reserve League, which will offer an interesting challenge to Arsenal’s second string this campaign.
The Gunners will now play everybody in the league at least once, meaning trips to face Manchester United and City while Liverpool and Newcastle will offer new and exciting skirmishes. The initial setup is still based on regionalised setups, but now three open groups will provide three winners who will battle to be Champions. Full explanation of how it will work is here.
Banfield has one of his strongest squads ever at his disposal for the opener. Ignasi Miquel will be the captain again this season and he’s been joined in the squad by first-teamers Havard Nordtveit, Craig Eastmond and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. Nacer Barazite is back from his trial with Rangers, and he will go straight into the starting lineup.
Predicted Starting XI
Shea
Nordtveit – Hoyte – Miquel – Cruise
Randall – Eastmond – Henderson
Barazite – Afobe – Emmanuel-Thomas
Kick off is at 7pm GMT at Bolton’s County training Ground. The game is a behind-closed-doors fixture although match highlights will be available via Arsenal TV Online tomorrow. Young Guns will have live text updates on our Twitter from 6.55 onwards and a full Match Report on the full time whistle.
how would you even watch it and update? are you secretly arsene wenger trying to sell his youth policy?
Wellington is not in the squad why? Work Permit issues?
We don’t own him. He can’t play in official games until january.
I like that back 4, strong and big. bigger, in fact, than our first team’s back 4. can’t wait for Nordtveit – Hoyte – Miquel – Cruise — Bartley to break into the first team.
Because technically he is not allowed to play until his 18th birthday. He is only training at arsenal under special dispensation.
thats an awesome side
Whats the subs bench looking like?
Subs are James Shea, Cedric Evina, Roarie Deacon and Nico Yennaris.
J – My understanding of the Wellington signing was that he would go straight into first team training rather than the reserves? How come this hasn’t happened? Was he deemed not good enough, or was the Emirates Cup just an unrealistic place to give him games?
May be Redknapp will complain we have finished above Tottenham because we have used an illegal signing from Brazil in Emirates Cup…………………………
What happened with Barazite’s trial at Rangers? Did they not want him or did he not want to play there?
They signed Weiss from MC instead.
what a bunch of absolute losers. i hope celtic teach them a lesson this year. saying no to an arsenal trainee! who the **** do they think they are?
JET and Nacer(mystery man) hoping for good games vs Bolton. I just got back from holiday again and just watched(highlights) U18’s vs ManCity( which I thought were very impressive #9 wow!). Is it me I do I see a little bit of cockiness(ego’s) in the AFC squad? No tracking back, bad passes followed by no hustle? That’s not the AFC way I hope Bould gave the young lads a lashing? peace I love AFC! And J I worship your blog but are you getting involved in the 1st team news a little too much? Love the twitter! thanks
Not sure where your info is from but Bolton Reserves play their home fixtures at the home of Lancashire FA at the County Ground, Leyland near Preston. The match is NOT behind closed doors. Admission is £4.00 for adults and £2.00 for concessions. Last week Wanderers turned out a strong reserve team in a win against Manchester City with ten players from the first team squad.
Tonight it will be different with a lot of youngsters turning out so the Gunners should find an easy game. Would love to have been there but work calls.
wouldn’t Hoyte play RB and Nordtveit play CB?
I`m afraid Nordtveit will be playing RB.. Can`t really understand why they keep playing him there.
@jarle its to strengthen his gameplay. just as they play Walcott on the side even though they see his future in the middle.
Its only good for Nortveidt. He will be a class CB one day, it think its great they build him up and have a plan with him..
He will become a future great player for Arsenal.
i really enjoy reading the young guns site, it very good in deed……ok i stop arse licking now.
i was going ask whats happening with lansbury? is he going to swansea and is baritze leaving still, these are two players i think could be good in our 1st team squad,especially lansbury.
good luck afc reserves tonight .
Lansbury’s loan to Swansea should go ahead shortly.
Rangers interest in Nacer Barazite has waned following the capture of Weiss on loan and the capture of a striker from Rapid Vienna.
Update: Henri Lansbury’s loan to Swansea may be postponed as Arsene Wenger has already lost a young central midfielder through Emmanuel Frimpong’s injury. I don’t know whether J can shed more light on this.
J please give us some update on barazite situation…
JS — any ideas why Szczesney wasn’t in the reserve team vs. Bolton? Is he going out on loan? Or does this mean AW has bigger plans for him imminently?
(Vito / Shea were the two keepers.)