Arsenal kick off their Premier Reserve League campaign this evening, at a time when Arsène Wenger’s project youth is under increased pressure and scrutiny from Arsenal fans, frustrated by its results.
Neil Banfield’s second string welcome Manchester United to Underhill, hoping to inject some positivity back into a club that has lost its captain on the eve of a crucial Champions League qualifier with Udinese. The Reserves come into the new term in excellent form, having won and dominated every one of their five pre-season fixtures, scoring 23 goals and conceding just one along the way.
The summer has been a fruitful one for Arsenal’s Catalan captain, and I don’t mean Fàbregas. Ignasi Miquel, fresh from playing a key role in Spain’s Under-19 European Championship triumph returns to English soil and will lead the Gunners out at Underhill. He’s expected to be joined by another international star, in Kyle Ebecilio. The Dutchman inspired Holland to Under-17 glory, and claimed the Golden Player award in doing so, joining the likes of Wayne Rooney, Nuri Şahin and the aforementioned Fàbregas.
Attention will also turn to those who won’t be there tonight. Conor Henderson has seen surgery on his damaged cruciate ligaments put back due to swelling, with a recovery time of at least six months to follow. Craig Eastmond and Gavin Hoyte are closing in on come backs, but will probably be too short to play this evening.
Banfield will have a strong side to choose from, and will no doubt ask if Henri Lansbury and Benik Afobe will be allowed to step down from first-team training to take part. If they get the green light, they’ll join Vito Mannone in facing what should be an experienced United lineup.
Premier Reserve League success would be the perfect tonic to a season that is tipped to be one of negativity, and you can follow all the action on Young Guns. I’ll have live match tweets, as well as reports and analysis on the blog, but for the most up to date news, follow me on Twitter.
Come on, Arsenal.
Just how good is Ebecilio? He seems like he could be huge for us.
Jake – Agree with the Ebecilio statement. Seems to of gone somewhat under the radar but consistently performs well.
Here’s hoping for a successful reserve league campaign which breeds confidence among all the players at the club.
Good luck boys!
He seems to be very highly rated outside of the club as well. A proper box-to-box player.
He reminds me a little of Yaya Toure. To be honest, I don’t know what to make of him. He was not that good in the u17 world cup. The kid has some talent though so best of luck to him this year. Hopefully he will keep improving.
So what if he’s 17? Give him some minutes. Are you convinced Rosicky is currently better than this guy?
Surely depends on who is fit enough or not banned for tomorrow. Eboue has travelled to Turkey, Van Persie and Nasri are suspended whilst Jack and Diaby are defo out. Miyaichi is in Japan and Rosicky is doubtful.
Probable team
Sczesney
Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen Gibbs
Ramsey Song
Walcott Arshavin Gervinho
Chamakh
Fabianski, Djourou, Jenkinson, Frimpong, Lansbury, Vela, Chamberlain.
Personally i would drop Squillaci and Traore down to the reserves tonight, to keep them on their toes.
Mannone
Hajrovic Squillaci Boateng Traore
Ozyakup Yennaris
Watt Ebicillio Freeman
Afobe
The average age of that CL bench?
26, 24, 19, 19, 20, 22, 18 (today!)
Just over 21…
aneke injured or did you forget to include him cos hes a definite starter?
yeah, was going to put him in, but heard that Dario Gradi is coming to look at Watt and Freeman as well as Boateng and Hajrovic. Just really fancy Ebicillio so perhaps play him alongside Ozzy with Aneke in the AM role. Yennaris to the bench
Hmmm…wasn’t Quincy O-A named as “one of the Best Players of that FIFA U20 Championship” in 2005. Hopefully he won’t go in that direction…
Ha! You havent even got Miquel in that line up dude.
oops, i knew someone was missing!! Should have read the article closer lol!just that Dario Gradi is taking a look at Boateng tonight, heaven knows why??
What’s the news with coquelin? Seems to me that everyone has forgotten about him.
Mannone
Hajrovic Miquel Boateng Meade
Ozyakup Yennaris
Watt Aneke Freeman
Afobe
Subs – Brislen Hall Mcdermott Ansah Ebecillio
He was at the U20 WC man
Coquelin has played every minute so far of the tournament. looking really good. Good-luck to the lads tonight
Sunu is looking good too, perhaps the 2 of them can push on and get a decent EPL/Championship loan or some Carling Cup time. We will really need Coquelin in January.
Coquelin just looks like he has not really developed physically while Frimpong looks like a beast.
What about the lads we signed from Barca? Are they likely to get a run out?
the match here
http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=126863&part=sports
Thanks mate
Coquelin >>> Frimpong.