Arsenal made sure they completed 2010 in style this evening, edging West Brom at the Hawthorns to maintain their title challenge in the Premier Reserve League. Ignasi Miquel’s first half header proved to be decisive.
Neil Banfield rotated again, bringing in George Brislen-Hall and Conor Henderson. Danny Boateng and Chuks Aneke dropped out but were included on the bench, along with Dutchman Kyle Ebecilio, his first time being part of a second-string squad.
The Baggies handed starts to first-team stars Ismael Miller, Simon Cox, Abdoulaye Méïté and Nicky Shorey.
Shea
Nordtveit – Hajrovic – Miquel – Brislen-Hall
Eastmond – Yennaris
Özyakup – Henderson – Sunu
Emmanuel-Thomas
Subs: Martínez (GK), Boateng, Ebecilio, Aneke, Deacon.
Arsenal had just 10 minutes to warm up after arriving late following trouble on the motorway. Kick off was delayed by 45 minutes and both sides made a slow start when the game finally kicked off. West Brom had the first real chance, though, flashing a shot wide through Sandro Berahino.
Simon Cox and Ismael Miller are first team strikers for the Baggies and they showed their class on the quarter hour mark, almost netting the opener. Cox burst down the wing and cut inside, forcing Shea to come racing out. The former Swindon man crossed for Miller who clipped the ball goal bound, only for Miquel to slide and clear off the line.
If that was the perfect example of being a captain, Miquel continued to lead by example five minutes later. West Brom only half cleared Özyakup’s corner and as the ball came to Sunu, he crossed and found Miquel in the box. The Spaniard smashed home a header to give the Gunners the lead.
Özyakup and Berahino both exchanged shots but at half time it was 1-0 to Arsenal.
The second half began brightly for the visitors. Henderson’s delightful ball over the top found Emmanuel-Thomas, he looked to have done enough to double the advantage only for Allsop to make a fantastic save. It was the last great chance for Arsenal for a while as the Baggies stepped up the pressure.
Cox caught Eastmond across his foot after a late challenge, but Craig continued. West Brom took advantage and Miller made Shea save smartly moments later. Chuks Aneke came on for Nico Yennaris and minutes later Banfield rotated again, bringing Roarie Deacon on for Conor Henderson.
Miller and Cox had further chances to grab the equaliser, but the Gunners defended well. Danny Boateng replaced Sunu late on and it proved to be a solid change, allowing Arsenal to shut up shop and claim all three points.
Jamie:
how did Nordveit look? is he anywhere near pushing for a place in the first team?
Gr8 result for the lads
Great win against strong WBA team, have so many out on loan and shows how strong we are this year. Really think we can win it this season
Btw is Freeman still injured?
Is Jets form dropping, i don’t find it surprising at all, he should have been given more first-team action when he was riding high. That’s not very supporting treatment from mr. Wenger. It has been unfair, he really proved his worth and didn’t get anything but a few minutes in a few games. I think it’s been very poor viewing from mr. Wenger.
Oh give it a rest. You have no idea what you are talking about. What are you basing this shi8te on? Coz he didnt score a hat trick today?
He doesn’t score a goal so now his form is dropping?
walcott’s, Bendtner’s arent getting game time but we should play JET because he’s been scoring goal in the reserve.
Are you serious
I’m wondering what’s happening with Rhys Murphy? Is he again injured or something? Can anyone please answer this questions?
What about reserves they have decent chance this year to win it but it’ll be hard because in january a couple of them will be loaned out.
I think Wenger has alluded to the fact in an interview that JET doesn’t work as hard as he should do in training but thinks he has unbelievable talent so it’s has to be a question over his attitiude rather than his ability why he hasnt been give more minutes with the first team.
We are looking very strong and with Wellington coming in Jan we have a good chance to win it.
West brom had a strong side out thats why jay thomas wasnt playing well.
Like against Wolves as well with guys like ronald zubar jay thomas isnt as effective.
Or maybe cause of all the praise hes had its got to him.
Iganasi miquel this kid is quality. I watched his interview on atvo his English is great he looks like a leader now as well. I think he understands the British game and how to get stuck in etc.
Its great hes left footed you rarely find a 6ft 4 left footed, tall, fast, centre half with leadership skills
Miquel’s not really that fast though, is he?
I actually have to agree with John about Miquel. I’m really excited about him and I feel he could act as an extra midfielder at times with his passing ability. Like what Pique does for Barca. I know we need a no nonsense defender, and we might have one in Bartley, but you can’t really teach what Miquel brings to the table and has going for him. I am confident that he and Bartley will learn from each other and improve as a result.
john i have to say, your a very strongly opinionated regular to this website…but i mean are you realy going to keep leaving posts and arguing with people when, you can’t even reply on the occasions you’re clearly wrong…pre season all you could talk about was how shit nasri was, i disagreed..actualy i’d seen you critising him regularly before pre season too…u said he was the same as cesc just less talented in every way, i argued, he hadn had a chance to develop like cesc in his natural postition and that he was much faster than cesc…paraphrasing; u said he was “shit”…ive got a college essay due tom…still another 2000 words to write, so id appreciate it if u cud just admit ur were completly wrong and i can get back to not failing…:D
I hate kids who feel the need to prove someone wrong, go to sleep or go on a protest or something. Its not about right or wrong you fool its about opinions, John is entitled to his, lets face it, he (Nasri) is our 2nd most expensive player, ever, he should be playing like he is now and not like an overweight schoolboy, that couldnt make the French national team like last season.
John will never admit that he is wrong because once Nasri cools off the slightest bit, he’ll be the one to say to all of us; “see, I told you so” right John?? bc, Nasri played like this towards the end of last season as well. Sounds like you might have had to eat your words, like everyone wants John to do, as well.
Oops I opened my big mouth too soon!! What was your opinion of Nasri at the end of last year anyways bc?? I shouldn’t have said anything without knowing this beforehand.
if you hate kids that feel the need to prove someone rwong thats fine by me, seeing as i’m not a kid; like i said, in college. and if you’re the type of person who feels the need to share his opinion about everything then you should also from time to time admit when you’re wrong, otherwise you just come across like and insufferable arsehole…samir nasri had his leg broken the summer before last, and while playing at marseille had meningitis, a deadly disease. I don’t think he can be accused of being fat, the only part of his body i thought he built up was the lower torso, and if you ask someone to bulk up for the premierleague and then they do, its retarded to then go calling them fat…bc im sure you’re the type of supporter who hates all those players of left arsenal for more money, cashley, adebayor, hleb, flamini, etc…how can you expect a player to be loyal when the fans can’t even back their own players…not even the good ones, which nasri clearly always was,how was he supposed to emulate zidane when he was being developed out of postition..ask any french journalist who knows anything and they’l tell u hes a country mile ahead of zidane for his age..so maybe you should also stop spouting shite, raymond domenech couldn pick a team from decent players from a herd of fukn diego maradonas
sorry about the typos…im speed writing because i realy shouldn’t be on this…essay due…T minus 8 hours
I am not saying samir nasri, jay thomas are bad players. They are quality.
Jay thomas is a quality player with unbelievable skills, vision, goal scoring. But hes not ready its ok doing well against reserves teams with kids younger than him playing but its totally different playing arsenal first team.
Samir nasri hes a strange player hes not a winger, attacking central midfielder, off the striker player. He floats around everywhere great on the ball, skilful, keeps the ball but doesnt do alot on it for a playmaker he creates very little. I have rarely seen nasri create at least 3 chances for someone. I have seen fabregas, rosicky, arshaviv, van persie, ramsey, wilshere they can all do it. Nasri doesnt seem to do it in my opinion.
BTW JS i have heard arsenal arent after Sime Vrsaljko they are after Davide Santon apparently.
Heard we have been in talks with him and his agent, you heard anything?
Good ole’ John John…HaHaHaHaHaHaHa!!!!!!!
I’m so glad your on this site man ‘cuz you crack me up!!!! I really appreciate how funny you are!!! HaHaHaHaHa!!!!!
I stopped taking your commentary seriously a long time ago. As Mac shrewdly points out it was as far back as pre-season that you went on this infantile and idiotic campaign against Samir Nasri, who is the team’s best pleyar this season.
I think it was a recently as a couple of weeks ago that you expressed the belief that Nasri was good but not good enough to start for Arsenal.
I don’t care to suffer your embarrassing squriming little dude. It’s all good. You just keeping making us all laugh with your…ummm “opinions” and we won’t take you seriously enough to rub your nose in their absudity…deal?
The only annoying thing about you is, as I think Milo wisely points out above, the second Nasri has 2 poor matches in a row you’ll be on these boards farting all over us about how you were right all along and Nasri’s useless, etc.
But, hey, such is the “opinion” of a comedian. Keep it up kid…your a riot!
John…Why do you keep focussing on the one thing Nasri does not do rather than all the great things he does do. Nasri is not a “play maker”. Nasri is the end piece. Arshavin is the play maker…hence look at the number of Arshavin assists and the number of Nasri goals. Your problem is apparently you don’t understand that there are different types of players.
Well done boys.
john are u sure about Santon? Why would Moratti agree to let go one of the best talents at Inter? Anyway would mean real business!!! Great player!!
Didn’t they just let Balotelli go? lol
KC
Samir nasri is good but not good enough to start to when diaby, ramsey come back.
And when walcott gets back to form hes a better winger than nsari in my opinion.
Theo walcott is more of a threat than samir nasri in my opinion.
Arsenal4ever thats what i have heard.
Eboue i am not sure but he hasnt go long left in his contract and i have heard arsenal are trying to buy a young right back.
Guys like Adam matthews, Sime Vrsaljko, daniel wass have all been linked.
You’re one of these claffy’s who believe it’s alright to be an irritant piece of s*** because at the end of the day……it still makes you popular amongst the masses, innit? Just like that twat Russell Brand (least funniest comedian…..ever).
FYI, forget what Sky or anyone else would tell you about how Gareth ‘Monkey-face’ Bale is the player of the season ALONG with Sammy. Our kid is in a league of his own this season. In fact, i would say only Berbatov is having a season good enough to come anywhere close to what Nasri has produced thus far.
“Samir nasri is good but not good enough to start to when diaby, ramsey come back.”
How, when they don’t even play in the same position as Nasri?
Wow… That’s ridiculous. Samir Nasri is one of the best players at Arsenal, end of. Diaby maybe getting there; Ramsey is not anywhere close yet but he might well be in time.
Sorry, i just gotta say this. As much as i admire Diaby’s strong points, he will never become a top-class midfielder for the simple fact that he is 24 years old and has poor decision making and very average awareness. I’ve said it about this kid for about three years now. I said he needs to improve these two things three years ago and there’s been very little improvement in that time.
TJ,
It grates me like finger nails across a chalkboard but I have to agree with you about your comments about Diaby. His massive potential has always kept him as a favorite of mine, but yes, his decision-making does let that potential down more often than it should.
It’s a testament to his talent that he’s at the level he is while still not cleanly passing this area of his development. I say there is still time, but I have to agree with this. You are always left wanting when watching Diaby. It’s like he has his foot on the gas and the break simultaneously, regarding his development.
Injuries haven’t helped him on this front either.
@KC and TJ,
Ditto on Diaby. His passing, particularly in the final third, always lets him down. And it hasn’t improved one bit in all the time he’s been here.
I really like Diaby – he has so much strength on the ball, he can shield the ball so well, he can take it past players, he makes us a lot stronger at set-pieces, etc. but unless he can deliver a killer ball, even just once in a while, he will always be a ‘Plan B’, when he could have been a brilliant world-class player. It’s a big gaping hole in his game that all his other positives can’t make up for.
John you really are a comedic genius. How any Arsenal “fan” say Nasri is not good enough for the first 11 is beyond all forms of rational thinking
As some of you have seen more of Bartley and Miqel than I have,
how long till they make the senior squad or will we need to buy in the meantime?
I have a question for those Gooners who would like so kill some time at work this morning.
It is widely recognised that, over the past decade we have produced the highest standard of left backs.
This doesn’t seem to be the case on the opposite flank. To my mind, in resent times only Justin Hoyte has broken through.
At present I can’t see Nordtviet, who seems to be third choice right back but a more natural centre back, challenging Sagna or Eboue.
So, what do you think the reasons are
for this lack of right backs and who has the real promise to break through?
My honest opinion is that if Havard had more pace he could be a very good RB but with the current squad i would say Francis Coquelin has the best attributes to be converted into a RB – i guess that’s why the Arsenal coaches have tried this already.
But isn’t it the thing same with Coquelin, don’t you think TJ, could have more pace, i think he’s better suited to DM.
Stapleton – Yeah, definitely a better DM right now but he’s no slouch and with his excellent tackling ability, work-rate, stamina and his ability to pick a pass, beat a man and cross a ball, he could turn out as a top RB even – at least that’s what i think.
Francis Coquelin is a very intelligent kid, academically and in a footballing sense, he can adapt to and perform admirably anywhere in midfield as well as RB and LB. He has a true winner’s mentality and sets the tone for his team-mates to share his commitment. He’s exactly the type of player we are crying out for now. He’s massively important to our future i believe, if he progresses how i expect, of course.
Okey TJ, credible arguments, i think you could be right, we will see, what you think bout Frimpong, i think we need badly these kind of players to our squad like these two, but i’m not so inspired bout Eastmond, but Wenger seems to rate him, what you think, i really like to see Coquelin and Frimpong making it to the first team.
Does anyone know if the rumours about Sime Vrsaljko are true?
From what i’ve seen he’d be an excellent addition
Webber has always looked for left footed players more, as they are more articulate, and have better foot soling brains, (scientifically proven).. On the r/b situation, it looks very likely we will get van der wiel come the summer, DB10 has strongly hinted this in his latest Dutch interview on youth talent in holland, would love to see affelkay too who DB10 said would suit arsenals style of play, nice to see him in for rosicky
Affelay is going to barca, its official. I hope Eboue stay even if we buy van der wiel. Eboue is a better link up player than Walcott will ever be.
Eboue should never leave. He is more than just an Arsenal player. Really the heart and soul of our team. If you ever notice, when we score, Eboue is always first to the goal scorer to celebrate and congratulate them.
Affelay moved to Barcelona, and as for Van der Wiel, he would be a great addition to the team but Ajax are probably looking for top dollar for him and there are a host of clubs that are willing to out bid us for him.
Dave, I think Rosicky has a few years left in him yet. I love to watch him play.
Dutch-man Van Der Wiel or Croatian Sime Vrsaljko look set for Arsenal.
Irish goon. I think there is simply a lack of quality right backs in world football in general compared to left backs. It is funny because left footed players are in the minority but then again that might be why there are more good left backs. Left back is the only place you really must be left footed so teams tend to push left footed quick players to leftback. Look at Gibbs and Fábio Coentrão in recent years.
I personally think that it will be a good few seasons before we buy a right back as Sagna is 27 in Feb (therefore having 3 more seasons left under Wenger’s contract policy) and Eboue seems content as a utility squad player.
By 2013/14 Nordtveit or Colquein should have gained the experience and be pushing for a place if right back is to be their position. As for left back we have a choice of Evina, Cruise, Botelho, Gibbs… even Vermaelen
You would think thou that with right footed players being in the majority, there would be more quality and competition especially at our club.
Need to correct game report it was Jay Emmanuel Thomas with cross for goal! Thanks AFC rules!
Anybody has a match highlight for this game. I had Arsenal Tivi account before but I couldn’t afford it anymore when I signed up for Direct TV to watch soccer in the weekend. Thus, I am very appreciate if someone has a match highlight.
Yeah, i couldn’t agree more Stapleton. Manny Frimpong is another who possesses that fighting quality we so badly lack right now. If he comes back strong from his unfortunate set-back and keeps progressing, he could be massive for us in the future.