Arsenal played out their final home game of the Premier Reserve League season in style this evening, beating Sunderland 4-2 in an entertaining fixture, watched over by Emmanuel Eboué. Goals from Roarie Deacon, Jérémie Aliadière, Josh Rees and Luke Freeman gave the Gunners the win, despite being pegged back twice.
Neil Banfield was again able to call upon the experience of 41-year-old Jens Lehmann, while Jérémie Aliadière continues to train with the club and also started. Emmanuel Frimpong was named on the bench, after returning from anterior cruciate ligament damage, which has kept him out all season.
ARSENAL: Lehmann; Hajrovic, Boateng, Miquel, Meade; Deacon, Ozyakup, Henderson; Murphy, Aliadière, Freeman.
SUNDERLAND: B Wilson; Bagnall, Adams, N Wilson, Egan; Laing, Mitchell, Knott; Noble, Lynch, Fletcher.
If Arsenal were determined to leave Underhill for this season in style, they got off to a near perfect start. Within 30 seconds they should have taken the lead, as Freeman unlocked the Sunderland back line and found Aliadière. He controlled well, but lashed wide. A superb chance.
The Gunners didn’t have to wait long to go in front though, as Murphy found Deacon in the box. He shuffled away and finished confidently to give Arsenal a fourth minute lead. 1-0.
The advantage lasted barely 90 seconds. Mitchell and Fletcher combined in the box, and the latter easily got away from Miquel and drilled the ball beyond Lehmann for the equaliser. 1-1, with six minutes on the clock.
Lehmann then had a scary moment when Noble almost robbed him of possession, but the big German came to his sides rescue moments after, brilliantly saving from the same player. Deacon, Freeman, Henderson and Aliadière all had half chances to put Arsenal back in front, but at half time, it was 1-1.
Banfield sent his charges out for the second half in much same fashion as the first, with an attacking impetuous. Aliadière again blasted an early shot wide, but the Frenchman justified his inclusion on 52 minutes, latching on to Boateng’s delicious through ball to put Arsenal back in front. 2-1.
Holding leads is an issue for the Reserves though, and just four minutes after Aliadière’s strike, Sunderland equalised once more. The tricky Ryan Noble headed home from close range to make it 2-2.
Henderson was then put through one-on-one with Wilson, but wasted the chance, before Banfield turned to the bench. Emmanuel Frimpong, making his first appearance of the season following injury, replaced Murphy, while Aneke came on in place of Ozyakup.
Frimpong could have put the hosts 3-2 up from a quality Freeman delivery into the box, but it was another substitute who would do the honours. Banfield switched Josh Rees for Deacon, and four minutes later, the versatile youngster lashed home from Freeman’s pull back. 3-2.
Freeman turned in another excellent shift, and not content with making goals, he scored one to finish Sunderland off. Aneke picked Luke out, and he smashed the ball into the top right corner to make it 4-2, and all put seal it.
The full time whistle brought cheers from the small ground at Underhill. Impressive performances from Freeman, Aliadière, Deacon, Aneke and Henderson will all please Banfield, plus the return of Frimpong in the middle.
Judging by their performances it looks like it’ll be interesting how well Freeman, Henderson, Miquel and Aneke perform during preseason. It’ll certainly decide if they stay for the Carling Cup or go out on loan. One thing I know is that I’d rather see Henderson and Aneke in a Carling Cup side than Diaby and Denilson.
Tony, I’d add Frimpong onto your list. He was looking quality this year until injury – a definate for the first team squad next season – He’s Song, but with a sense of urgency.
Frimpong might be the reason Wenger didn’t buy another DM in midfield. Look forward to seeing more of him.
Do you think song doesn’t have a sense of urgency at times? i think that’s unfair personally. From what little I saw of frimpong in preseason, he looks like he’s probably going to be physically stronger than song, but he didn’t appear to have the same level of close control as alex does. I hope he really is as good as people are saying, but I wasn’t convinced he was quite ready for the 1st team yet. As I said, I only saw a little of him, and I hope I’m wrong.
Watched highlights of the reserve matches against Wigan and against Liverpool. The standard is so poor I honestly don’t understand how players are expected to use this as a platform for the first team.
It’s not really a platform for the first team – the real acid test for these lads is still the loan spell.
Really, it’s more of an opportunity for youngsters to taste something resembling competitive football and to maybe develop combinations with potential future teammates.
The standard is probably diminished by the number of players out on loan. Banfield’s selections are pretty hamstrung in that respect; I don’t think this side has even had a holding midfielder this year because of injuries and loans.
Stil, I enjoy watching the highlights, and would watch full games if I could. They do play some good stuff.
I agree with Thomas from Hertfordshire. The quality of the reserve matches is shockingly bad. For a 17 year old like Aneke, it is still better than the U18s. Eventually, a loan to a Championship side is the best way for a youngster to develop. Next year, Aneke,Afobe,Murphy and Henderson will surely go to Championship teams. Miquel looks too poor to get accepted by a Champioship side but he may go to a League One team.
the defender that we loaned to Rangers is a very good defender but miquel would make it into a champpionship side simply because he is captain he obviously is good enough
Whats the story with aliadiere how can he play surely we have not signed him
You can play for the reserves without signing a professional contract. I’d imagine the reason he’s playing though is Wenger is thinking about signing him for next season. He’ll be the big summmer signing. Sounds totally ridiculous I know, but look at recent times.
First should the same, as resevre team.
wellcome back Frimpong
I know it was an Aprils Fools joke. I know one goal means nothing. I truly believe Aliadiere will be a player for Arsenal next year.( maybe this year, depending on injuries). Aliadriere is a goal scorer. He has had an abysmal injury record and has never peaked. I think Bendy is gone, Jet, Ryo, and maybe Afobe or Watt come in. Vela is sold and Aliadriere comes back as a third choice striker. This would fit with Arsene’s motto and ego (Tech, and skill will always rise).
any thoughts
Soul
You all understand that Aliadiere is the only player in a very long time that can claim the club own him a testimonial. Ten years pro on the books. Wenger loves him, and believes he will come good. I out this all down to my opinion and watching Wenger over time.
Soulcricket, you must be joking right?? I mean how does this signal the end for anyone. I think wenger is just being nice and giving Aliadiere a chance to impress the scouts and get to some level of match fitness. He’s not going to bring him back on a permanent basis I don’t think. Why would he shunt Vela out in favour of him?? Vela has had fewer chances to impress than Nicklas Bendtner!! He’ll get a chance next year to prove himself before he is moved out. Aliadiere is behind, Bendtner, Chamakh, Van Persie and yes Carlos Vela:D He’s probably behind JET as well, so seeing him in an Arsenal shirt in the starting 11 is pretty far fetched in my opinion.
How was our up an coming new ‘keeper?
And @milo I agree. We have just given Aliadiere the opportunity to get fit and put himself in the shop window for next season for other teams. I would be extremely surprised if he was ever re-signed.
Signing aliadiere is it going to happen? Maybe you can never say never.
I personally felt Aliadiere was very unlucky with his glass ankles – not that it will happen, but i’d far rather have his workrate in the current team than the likes of Bendtner, Diaby and Denilson wandering around like running’s below them. I’m sure all 3 will move on this summer and we’ll see Lansbury and JET given a chance to make it.
I thought Aliadiere was supposed to go to wolves
What ever else you say, Aliadiere will always have one of the coolest names in football.
Sadly though it is now obvious that no ARSENAL team can defend a lead? WHY?
Arsenal need to be ruthless dis sumer by releasing many players like randall,hyote,watt,eastmond,sunu,murphy,deacon,GBH,Mcdermott
must admit am quite impressed by frimpong, should join the team immediately,would be good for him to soak up the pressure, definately a fighter doesn’t like losing the ball.i say put into the team let him feel that he’s very much part of the team whether it’s losing or winning.sad about ozy not signing,certainly one of the best talents plays a lot like cesc.plus the guy’s wanted by two national teams.look at the difference he brings to the side.we need more quality into the youth setups immediately.& to those people who want wenger out,go fish
fantastic match report Jay
Thank you mate, appreciated.
Just watched the highlights….the defending of the team is shocking seem to get easily hit on the counter just like the first team
Hey Jamie S.
Can you please give us a report on the progress of Luke Freeman? Is he showing enough promise to become first team material?