Arsenal may have completed their Premier Reserve League campaign in April, but it wasn’t until last Monday that their league position was known. Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Wolves meant they edged out the Gunners to win the Southern section by a single point.
Neil Banfield’s boys had lead the way for a large proportion of the season, but a difficult start to 2011 left them needing Chelsea to slip up in their four games in hand to win the division. The Blues did suffer defeats to West Brom, Manchester United and Manchester City, but their final day win over Wolves saw them claim the title, and set up a clash with Northern winners Blackburn Rovers in the grand final.
Despite that late drama, it’s been an impressive season for Arsenal. Here’s how it unfolded.
Season Review:
Arsenal’s season began in August, when a strong Bolton side was thrashed 5-0, thanks to braces from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Chuks Aneke. Nacer Barazite also grabbed a goal in a comprehensive victory. Nine of that starting XI would end up completing the season away from the club.
September saw Sébastien Squillaci made his first appearance in the red and white, as Banfield’s boys beat Blackburn 4-3. They would also draw 1-1 with Manchester City before a 3-0 win at home to Blackpool completed a solid month. In their only game in October, a crushing 4-1 win against West Ham put Arsenal in pole position for a title push.
November began with a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa, but that was followed up by a 4-1 win over Everton. An Aaron Ramsey inspired second string then beat Wolves, leading up to a hard fought 1-0 win away to West Brom in December’s only game.
The New Year saw a selection of players leave on loan, and January’s first game was an example of how much it effected the squad. An embarrassing 10-1 defeat away to Aston Villa made the history books, as Arsenal’s biggest defeat at any level in the modern era. A Carlos Vela penalty was the perfect way to bounce back, as Banfield kept his players focused with a 1-0 win at Chelsea’s Cobham training centre.
Yet Febuary was where the title began to slip away. 2-2 draws against both Chelsea and Wolves were not helpful, while an expected win over West Brom failed to materialise, as the Gunners drew 1-1. March defeats to West Ham and Newcastle hit hard, but they showed their character to beat Liverpool 2-1. However, despite the influence of Jens Lehmann, a 2-1 defeat away to Wigan left Arsenal with a lot of work to do.
They finished the season with a 4-2 victory against Sunderland, before a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford completed an impressive campaign.
The Verdict:
Arsenal had led for much of the season, but ultimately, it was the shaky form after Christmas that cost them. Why? Because the likes of Emmanuel-Thomas, who was the top scorer, and Benik Afobe left on loan. That meant the goal threat was all but non-existent. It did improve when Luke Freeman returned from Yeovil and Jérémie Aliadière arrived, but it was too little, too late.
The defence had a few shaky moments, but they dealt with the sale of Håvard Nordtveit well. In fact, dealing with the loss of players was the key. In many other seasons players have left on loan or to pastures new mid-season, and Banfield’s teams have collapsed. This group showed good character to keep going and were only just edged out at the bitter end.
Arsenal used 49 different players during the 20 matches, of which they won 10, drew 5 and lost 5. They scored 41 goals and conceded 34. A good total.
Star Players:
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas had a flying start to the season and grabbed a number of goals and assists before going on loan to Cardiff City. Chuks Aneke also had a good start, but injuries meant he finished the campaign lacking his best form. Ignasi Miquel had a few poor moments, but on the whole he led the side well.
Key mentions also go to James Shea, Luke Freeman, Josh Rees and Roarie Deacon all of whom finished the season strongly.
Next Season:
Banfield will stay in his role as Reserve team manager for next season, and that’s key for the next crop. He will also have some replacing to do, with Oğuzhan Özyakup set to follow Deacon and Brislen-Hall out of the exit door. Miquel, Henderson and Shea are all but certain to go on loan, and they could be followed by Aneke and Frimpong. That would mean Under 18 stars Alban Bunjaku, Martin Angha, Kyle Ebecilio and Jeffrey Monakana push on.
There may also be places for a number of loan players who look to kick on into the first-team, as well as potential new signing Carl Jenkinson. All in all, it’s been a fine season at Reserve team level for Arsenal, and while there might not be any Wilshere-esque talents in this crop, there are a selection of youngsters pushing to be in Arsène Wenger sights next year.
serge gnabry be placed in the U18?
Yes, like Jeffrey, Hayden, Fagan and Toral
Hey Jamie, wat do u make of jenkinson?? Is he definately an arsenal player??
Not yet
Do you think their is a difference in attitude from JET between reserve and Championship level? Its evident he hasn’t had a great loan spell but yet he started the reserve season so strongly. Yes,one is reserve and one is Championship but the decline seems to be a lot, what are your views Jamie?
As is the case with Bendtner, JET has had a below-par season simply because he hasn’t started nowhere near enough games. Any game he has started, it was out of position, i.e, against Reading, where he played on the left wing. Whenever he’s come on as a sub, more often than not, he’s been played out of position. He still has time on his hands but he does need to improve his fitness levels and attitude. However, in the summer, i’m expecting NB52 to be sold. Wherever he goes, he will shine and many Gooners will be dumbfounded as to where this immense talent has come from all of a sudden. Just remember akb’s, the reason this will happen is because Wenger got it wrong!! You may proceed to give me thumbs down now that i have spoken out against this dictatorship!
Lmfao! I guess puppets still do whatever is commanded of them then eh! Ha ha!
Does kyle Ebecilio play a more advance role for d dutch cos he scored a good no of goals for a DM & important goals as well. Btw dis like & unlike seems to take away a few things off the site i.e. Your opinion about a post being voted out which seems kind of weird.JUST SAYING
————Martínez
Angha—–Boateng—-Hajrović–Bihmoutine
———-Ebecilio—-Yennaris
Rees———-Aneke———–Meade
———–Roberts
Bench – McDermott, Monteiro, Wynter, Webb, Bunjaku, Edge, Monakana, Neita?
Players out on loan from reserves team this season not counting players who gone out on loan this season.
Shea
Henderson
Miquel
Afobe
Freeman
Murphy
I watched Ebecilio in Dallas and he looked really slow.
Yeah fellow gunner I roughy the same thing when first watched him ebecilio has a good change of pace… In my opinion he’s he’s the same type of player to diaby… I rate diaby highly if he could only stat fit got one season he would be put best player… Great potential
It’s hard to say for sure – there was a lot of pace in the opposition which may have made him look slower than he is. Moreover, he plays composed and within himself, a bit like Essien, so it’s hard to know what his top speed actually is because he doesn’t ever go flat out. I could be wrong though. He looked quicker than Ozyakup, however.
roughy = Thought * type on iPod for you lol
Personally i’d like to see Freeman get a bit of time pre-season, get involved with the first team and play a few friendlies. He’s struggled a bit on loan but looks good everytime he turns out for the rezzies.
If the U18 team will be the backbone for our reserve next season then I am worry. I don’t think it will end very good but hopefully some will improve a lot.
hope kyle ebecilio gets a chance… was excelent at the under 17 championship and is maybie man of the tournament… he was good both attack and defence…
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_6936745,00.html
Barcelona are again set to lose one of their prized ‘Cadet’ players after Hector Bellerin confirmed he would not be staying with the Catalan giants.
The 16-year-old forward, who can also play on the wing, is ready to turn his back on Barca and will become the latest of their prospects to move to England.
And Arsenal have emerged as favourites to claim his signature, although there is major competition with Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa all talking with him.
Whoever does land Bellerin will be due to pay just €400,000 in training compensation.
Bellerin informed the club he would not be staying following on from team-mate Jon Miquel Toral Harper – who announced he would be joining Arsenal earlier in the season.
Barca are loathed to lose any talent, but they are being raided on an almost annual basis by Premier League clubs – with Arsenal the main culprits.
Before they landed Toral, they had already enjoyed plucking the likes of Fran Merida and most famously Cesc Fabregas from Barca.
United, who are also keen on Bellerin, have previously raided Barca’s cadet ranks – they signed Gerard Pique as a teenager, before selling him back to them a few years later.
Bellerin is regarded as one of the best of the current generation along with Toral and Barca are understood to be fuming at losing them both.
However, they are managing to keep hold of goalkeeper Pol Balleste, Roger Riera and Sergi Samper who are seen as the other prized assets along with foreign recruits Maxi Rolon, from Argentina, and Cameroonian striker Jean Marie Dongou.
PL to pluck another Barca gem
Arsenal favourites to land 16-year-old forward
J is this true – http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_6936745,00.html?
Hey phillip i just posted it wondering the same thing as you
as Jamie usually gets these things before most
Surely not another one lol, but we just need the Sanderson seal of approval….
Next season defender Xavi Quintilla will probably also join Arsenal.
By the way I asked Jamie about Hector Bellerin three months ago. He told only rumours.
Hector will leave Barcelona in summer it is 100% confirmed. Hector hasn’t decided yet where to go but it is English club either Arsenal or MU. He can play as right winger or even right fullback. Creative, excellent passing good vision.
Wenger should sign the 6.3″ striker Demba Ba now that the hammers have been relegated. Wenger was scouting him in 2009. His goal scoring numbers speak for themselves: 2005–2006 Rouen 26 played (22goals)
2006–2007 Mouscron 12p (8g)
2007–2011 1899 Hoffenheim 97p (37g)
2011– West Ham United 12p (7g)
Ive seen Demba Ba playing for the last few years and he isnt a bad player but a injury prone troublemaker.
Jamie – looking forward to word from yourself to confirm the speculation regarding Hector Bellerin.