Author: Staff Writer

Boreham Wood 1-7 Arsenal: Watt Bags A Trio

Staff Writer

Arsenal continued their build up to the new Premier Reserve League season with a 7-1 win over Boreham Wood this evening. A goal on his Reserve team debut for Serge Gnabry was added to by a hat-trick from Sanchez Watt, while Luke Freeman, Henri Lansbury and Kyle Ebecilio all got one each.

Neil Banfield had to make do without a handful of youngsters currently on first-team duty, but he was able to call upon the services of Henri Lansbury, as he bids to improve his fitness. Reice Charles-Cook continued in goal after a Man of the Match performance against Stevenage FC.

There were places on the bench for some of last seasons Under 18’s, while summer signing Serge Gnabry was also included after scoring against a Sunderland’s XI in midweek. Goalkeeper coach Tony Roberts made up the numbers.

ARSENAL: Charles-Cook; Yennaris, Hajrovic, Boateng, Meade; Lansbury, Galindo, Özyakup; Watt, Aneke, Freeman.

Subs: Roberts (GK), Angha, Monteiro, Brislen-Hall, Ebecilio, Gnabry.

Arsenal settled to the task quickly, and carved out the first chance of the game when Sanchez Watt lashed an effort straight at the ‘keeper. It was an early signal that the Gunners were in the mood.

That said, it was Boreham Wood who took a surprise lead, when Mario Noto’s lashed free-kick went straight through Charles-Cook’s hands and into the goal. 1-0.

Banfield’s boys went straight for the jugular after the restart, and had two quick fire chances. Luke Freeman missed the first, before the aforementioned Watt finished a nice move for 1-1. Watt then had an effort blocked minutes later, but Freeman was on hand to turn home the rebound. 2-1.

Henri Lansbury had a long range free-kick saved as half time approached, but it didn’t matter, as the England Under 21 international crashed home a shot from a similar range shortly after. It was a stunning third. 3-1.

Half time came and went, and with Gunners in total control, Banfield rotated. Serge Gnabry came on for his Reserve team debut, and he made it four from a set piece. Fellow substitute Kyle Ebecilio then got in on the act, grabbing number five.

Arsenal kept pushing forward, and although were vulnerable on the break, it wasn’t long before goal number six arrived. The impressive Watt, who had been a thorn in the hosts side all evening, bagging a brace. 6-1, but he wasn’t finished there. Another slick team move ended up with Watt through, and he made no mistake in completing his hat-trick. 7-1.

With the possibility of 10 goals in sight, the visitors continued their push, but the game finished 7-1. All in all, an excellent run out in front of the watching Pat Rice, Boro Primorac and Steve Rowley.

Wenger Keen On Lansbury & Miyaichi Stay

Staff Writer

Arsène Wenger has confirmed he intends to hang onto Henri Lansbury and Ryo Miyaichi, as speculation about their futures intensifies.

Lansbury has consistently been linked with a return to loan club Norwich City during the summer, while some have also suggested he may be used as a a potential make-weight in the club’s search for a Premier League centre back. Henri is yet to feature for the first-team since returning from the Under 21 European Championships, but that’s down to a fitness issue.

Wenger moved during his pre-Emirates Cup press conference to set out his stance on Lansbury.

“Henri has the talent to play for Arsenal football club, and he has a chance to play for us this season.”

Lansbury may well get a chance to impress during the Emirates Cup, as registration problems relating to his work permit situation are expected to rule Ryo Miyaichi out. However, Wenger did confirm his desire to keep the Japanese winger at the club for the forthcoming season.

An indication of which youngsters will be involved should come tonight, when Neil Banfield selects a Reserve XI to take on Borehamwood.

Arsenal Prepare Miyaichi Permit Bid

Staff Writer

Arsenal are putting the finishing touches to their work permit application for Ryo Miyaichi.

The 18-year-old has sufficiently impressed Arsène Wenger during pre-season, in which he has featured in every game. Wenger has now given club officials the green light to try and secure Miyaichi’s stay in North London, as he prepares to make his Emirates bow at this weekends Emirates Cup.

Arsenal are hopeful of receiving a decision by the middle of August. Should the application be rejected, Feyenoord Technical Director Martin van Geel has told Voetbal International he intends to fly to London to try and re-sign Ryo on loan.

The Gunners have had mixed success with recent work permit bids, but it’s hoped Miyaichi has done enough, despite his lack of international appearances, to be granted permission to join the Arsenal first-team ahead of the new season.

Gnabry Scores In Sunderland Defeat

Staff Writer

Arsenal continued their build up to the new Premier Academy League season with a 2-1 defeat to a Sunderland XI yesterday.

Steve Bould’s crop of Under 18’s, only playing their second game of pre-season, were unlucky to lose to a Black Cats Reserve side that boasted first-team defenders Nyron Nosworthy and Matt Kilgallon.

After a difficult start, Arsenal finished the opening period on top, and could have been in front just before the break. A raft of changes disrupted the flow in the second half, but with time running out, former Gunner Roarie Deacon lashed home following some poor defending to put Sunderland ahead.

An excellent strike from Jordan Cook doubled the advantage soon after, but Bould’s boys kept plugging away, and pulled one back when summer signing Serge Gnabry bagged his first for the club.

Arsenal had further chances to equalise, but the game finished 2-1.

Shea Replaces Arsenal's Roberts At Dagenham

Staff Writer

Dagenham & Redbridge have signed James Shea on a season long loan, following the news that Daggers legend Tony Roberts has retired. Roberts will now become Arsenal’s full time Reserve goalkeeper coach.

Shea linked up with the League Two outfit last week, and played 90 minutes of their friendly against Leyton Orient. The 20-year-old has now agreed terms on a loan move, and is on the bench for Dagenham’s clash with West Ham tonight.

James was recommended to manager John Still by Roberts, after the 41-year-old decided to call time on a professional career in which he made almost 600 professional appearances. Tony will now become Arsenal’s full time goalkeeper coach, working mainly with the Reserves and Under 18’s. This is a role he has held for a number of years, in tandem with his playing duties.

Shea is expected to be Dagenham’s first choice for the forthcoming season, as they look to win promotion back to League One.

Ipswich Agree Emmanuel-Thomas Deal

Staff Writer

Ipswich Town expect to complete the signing of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas in the next 24 hours, subject to a medical.

Arsenal accepted two bids of £1.1 million from Ipswich and their Championship rivals Burnley over the weekend, after Arsène Wenger told the 20-year-old he does not feature in his first-team plans. Emmanuel-Thomas turned down the opportunity to talk to Burnley, and was in Suffolk today for talks.

Ipswich had hoped to complete the transfer this evening, but despite the delays, they still hope Jay will be registered in time for their pre-season friendly with Colchester United tomorrow night.

Jay, who is Arsenal’s longest serving player, showed glimpses of his potential during loan spells with Blackpool and Doncaster Rovers, but a difficult season at Cardiff City left many wandering if he’d ever replicate his emphatic form shown in the Under 18 and Reserve teams.

Arsenal may have been frustrated with his attitude and application at times, but their acknowledgement of his ability is noted with the fact a sell on fee has been included in the deal.

Arsenal Begin Reserves Clear Out

Staff Writer

Arsenal have begun the process of trimming their Reserve and Youth squad sizes ahead of the new season, with several young Gunners expected to leave the club in the coming weeks.

The tough decisions kick started last week, when Jamie Edge and Steven Smith were both released, with more to follow suit. Edge, a £200,000 signing from Cheltenham Town in 2009, struggled to develop his game with Steve Bould’s Under 18’s, and he joins Ireland Under 17 defender Smith in looking for a new club.

Arsenal are also prepared to listen to offers for Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Rhys Murphy, with the latter heading North for training with Middlesbrough this week. Boro’ have struggled to raise funds all summer, so should Murphy sufficiently impress, it’s likely he’ll only go loan.

Elsewhere, Dagenham & Redbridge are looking to sign James Shea on loan for next season, after he played for them in a trial game against Leyton Orient. Shea would provide competition for Daggers legend Tony Roberts, who will step up his role in coaching Arsenal’s Academy goalkeepers.

Mark Randall, Thomas Cruise and Roarie Deacon were all released earlier this summer.

Stevenage 0-1 Arsenal XI: Aneke Bags Winner

Staff Writer

A second half Chuks Aneke strike gave an Arsenal Reserve XI a 1-0 over Stevenage this afternoon. In an end-to-end encounter, the returning Henri Lansbury and the in form Aneke combined for a superb winner.

The Gunners were forced to rotate with Benik Afobe and Conor Henderson joining the first-team in Germany, while James Shea was absent after beginning a trial at Dagenham and Redbridge. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Kyle Bartley were other notable omissions, with both players strongly linked with moves away from the club.

ARSENAL: Charles-Cook; Yennaris, Hajrovic, Boateng, Brislen-Hall; Aneke, Özyakup, Galindo; Lansbury, Freeman, Watt.

In a mixed first period, Arsenal struggled to get their passing football together and only carved out two real chances. Freeman had the first, but the former Gillingham striker blazed over the bar. Then, following some pressure from the hosts, Boateng could have opened the scoring, but he saw a powerful head go wide.

The Gunners found their way in the second half, and as Galindo and Lansbury began to find their range, Arsenal kicked on. With time running out, Lansbury fed Aneke on the edge of the box, and just as he did against Woking, the powerful midfielder turned and lashed home. 1-0.

Ansah and Meade came off the bench late on, but as Stevenage searched for an equaliser, they were on defensive duties. As time ticked down, rookie stopper Charles-Cook thwarted the hosts twice with stunning saves, including one in the 90th minute to preserve the win and Arsenal’s unbeaten pre-season run.

Gervinho & Four Reserves Set For Cologne

Staff Writer

Arsène Wenger has named four of the clubs promising youngsters in his squad to face FC Cologne this weekend. Ryo Miyaichi, Emmanuel Frimpong, Benik Afobe and Conor Henderson will all travel to Germany, along with summer signings Gervinho and Carl Jenkinson.

Afobe, as we told you earlier in the week, will travel after being pulled out of the England Under-20 squad. He’s joined by versatile midfielder Henderson in earning a first callup to the first-team during pre-season. Conor gets his chance after Henri Lansbury failed to prove his fitness in time.

Arsenal are expected to confirm the full travelling squad shortly.