Neil Banfield’s Reserves wrapped up their Platinum One Challenge campaign with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium this afternoon. Henri Lansbury, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Mark Randall got the goals as the Gunners’ finished top of the pile.
Banfield rotated his side against a very young Shamrock team, handing a full debut to goalkeeper Emilio Damián Martínez, while Nico Yennaris, Daniel Boateng, Cedric Evina, Mark Randall and Roarie Deacon also started.
Martínez
Yennaris – Hoyte – Boateng – Evina
Randall – Eastmond – Lansbury
Deacon – Emmanuel-Thomas – Silva
Subs: Shea, Nordtveit, Cruise, Aneke, Afobe.
Arsenal had began with amazing pace against Manchester United, and Banfield employed the same tactics against the Rovers. The Gunners pressed right from the offset and took the lead with nine minutes when Silva fed Emmanuel-Thomas, he clipped the ball inside the back four and Lansbury ran through to finish.
Just six minutes later it was 2-0 as Emmanuel-Thomas added the finish to a fine passing move, slamming home beyond Pat Jennings in the Shamrock goal. Arsenal kept pressing and pressing and a further six minutes later, they had another. Randall showed his superb close control to dribble beyond the challenges of Gannon and Flood and fire home number three.
The visitors took their foot off the gas at 3-0, and Shamrock hit back. Evina failed to deal with Murphy’s right wing cross and Daniel McGuinness got in front of Boateng to volley one back. 3-1 at the break.
The second half brought more great chances, but only one fell to Arsenal. Martínez made save after save to keep the scores down as substitutions unsettled the flow of the game. It should have been 3-2 when O’Connor sent Murphy through, but Martínez, on his first start for the club, made a fine one handed save to keep him at bay. Murphy had a similar chance moments later, but Deacon threw his body in the way and blocked it behind for a corner.
There was just time for Deacon to burst away from his full back and slam an effort at Jenning’s, but he saved, and it finished 3-1.
Very interesting to see what this season holds for Eastmond, Lansbury and Jay E Thomas.
Aneke and Afobe need another season of youth/reserve Football and if they improve then potential loans.
Great one for the lads
Martinez is looking very impressive. One to watch?
Eastmond is too lightweight for the prem
he should put stones in his pockets
Andre the Giant would have been perfect
Rubbish. Eastmond looked very comfortable in the Premiership games he played last season.
Cesc Fabregas is too lightweight for the prem
Thanks for the report, can’t wait to see more of the young guns in the first team.
looks like JET is finding his element – and a preferred position – anywhere across the front three!
J could we have a player analysis for the new look under 18s: who got thrashed by Man City?
best players???
Where do you see Yennaris long term, DM or at full back? Does he have the pace?
Yennaris is a defensive midfielder in every aspect. But its like Nordtveit, when you make the step up sometimes you have to learn your trade in another position until you can play where you want.
Hi J,
Was at this one: they actually lined up in the first half with Lansbury on the right of the front three and Deacon playing behind JET. Deacon looked well out of position for most of it, but tried hard all game and deserved a goal. JET and Lansbury ran the game in the first half, while Hoyte and Randall looked sloppy (but Randall took his goal very well).
The second half team lined up:
Martinez
Nordtveit – Boateng – Cruise – Evina
Randall – Yennaris – Aneke
Wellington – Afobe – Deacon
The midfield never really got into the game, though, and best player second half was probably Cruise (who looked remarkably assured at CB, although he made a couple of mistakes late on). Wellington was disappointing throughout, but basically the game died when JET and Lansbury (and Eastmond, tbf) went off at half time. Nordtveit was wasted at RB and I thought he looked a bit frustrated – but then the ref kept picking him up for stuff which all looked pretty tame to me. Afobe looked sharp but hardly got given a decent pass. Aneke looked well off the pace.
A fairly easy win all the same.
top quality detail there mate. :) i know a lot of people consider his arsenal career over, but did you make of randall? he always struck me as someone who could kick on if he really wanted.
Cheers. Randall didn’t really impress me, but I’ve never been a fan of his. He just doesn’t seem interested in doing the simple stuff – unlike Eastmond, say. But you’re probably right that he could kick on if he really focused. And tbf he was one of the better players in the second half.
youre probably right there. hes not the kind of playes who is the first to track back or close the opposition down, but he reminds me a bit of arshavin in that he always seems capable of a lot more.
I don’t know what it is but when I see highlights of Aneke he always looks slow and very laboured when he runs. Maybe he just is very slow.
will nordveit be a centre back or a right back ?.
what do u think of silva so far who could u compare him to?
hes a CB by nature, but there are always senior players ahead of him so he is often played at RB nr DM to get match time. thd plan is for him to be a CB in the long run though.
hes a CB by nature, but there are always senior players ahead of him so he is often played at RB or DM to get match time. the plan is for him to be a CB in the long run though.
How was Wellington’s performance… most of us don’t know much about him apart from this vids from Fluminese
He was very quiet today. He didn’t really get much service. Banfield gave him a lot of instructions. Had two good opportunities in the first half.
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Hooperman/112386565438340
lot of guys look to be coming of age all @ the same time in both the senior & 2nd stream teams, what a lovely dilemma Mr Wenger has @ the moment, “don’t you just love it when a plan comes together” …….
Pat Jennings in the Shamrock Rovers goal ? Well there is the answer to our keeper problems . . . Bring back Big Pat.
how was Boateng’s performance?
Yep that tickled me too, but don’t think the original “big Pat” would have let three goals in though, but IF there was a clock to turn-back (apart from my own) he’s would be the one I’d choose, what a “GREAT” big lump he was, still the best we ever had if you ask me……
an easy game to win…jay and h ran the show ..great players make good players look great!
Ex Gunner Graham Barrett playing for Rovers by the way.
and FA Youth Cup winning captain too!
Mate, can you use an ilast initial or something because i have been going by shane on here forever now mate and it would be very confusing. Cheers.
Hi I was at the game today and just posted the 1st and 2nd goals on YouTube just search goal 1 arsenal shamrock rovers platinum 1 and you should see…hope the video is ok to view…sorry, don’t know how to post a link!
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i bet yous didnt kno that pat jennings in goal for rovers iss pat jennings son
please lets pray for Frimpong i believe God can heal Him i feel very sorry and full of compassion for Him and i believe that God wants to do somethign if anyone can get to him please tell Him to just beleiev in God and he will be healed sooner than he thot even this month its called Gods healing grace just a miracle. lets join hands and believe God on his behalf. i Love ARSENAL.I love JESUS.