Author: Staff Writer

Arsenal continued their superb start to The Premier Reserves League season with a 3-0 win over Blackpool at Underhill. After a poor first half, strikes from Chuks Aneke and Benik Afobe plus a penalty from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas sealed the win.

Neil Banfield welcomed back Havard Nordtveit and Conor Henderson from injury and both started. Gilles Sunu was also back from surgery, but he was only fit enough for a place on the bench.

Shea
Nordtveit – Hoyte – Miquel – Meade
Eastmond – Henderson
Afobe – Aneke – Deacon
Emmanuel-Thomas

Subs: McDermott (GK), Boateng, Evina, Ozyakup, Sunu.

Arsenal struggled to get their passing game going in the early stages and Ishmel Demontagnac caused havoc in the backline right from the off. Miquel’s header back to Shea appeared to be a little short and Demontagnac chased the ball down, only for Shea to win the race.

The Gunners lacked work rate but Emmanuel-Thomas always proved to be a threat in attack. His powerful run down the right allowed him to set up Deacon, but the England winger was just offside. Emmanuel-Thomas found himself in an identical situation moments later, but this time cut inside and drilled just over.

Banfield was animated throughout the half and he had work to do at half time, with the scores level.

Half Time – Arsenal 0-0 Blackpool

Arsenal snapped out of the traps in the second period and worked arguably the best move of the game. Afobe and Aneke each combined with the latter shaping and firing a low shot. Kingson did well to save.

Sunu and Evina came off the bench with Meade moving into midfield, and instantly it payed dividends. Meade was involved in the move which saw Eastmond roll the ball in for Aneke who shifted his feet and finished well for 1-0.

After finally breaking the deadlock, the Gunners stepped on the gas and quickly got themselves a second. Meade showed some delightful touches and played in Sunu in the box. He was clipped down and a spot kick awarded. Emmanuel-Thomas proved spot on from 12 yards, 2-0.

There was just time for Emmanuel-Thomas to tee up Afobe, he rounded the goalkeeper and made it 3-0 on the cusp of full time. Three goals, three points, and three very impressive performances from three youngsters to watch out for.

Arsenal welcome Blackpool to Underhill this evening as Neil Banfield’s second string aim to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Banfield may have spoken of his delight at being able to face sides from the North, but newly promoted Blackpool will pose another interesting yet exciting challenge. The Tangerines are still seeking their first win after coming away with a total of one point from skirmishes with Aston Villa and West Brom, but coach Stephen McPhee will have experienced heads to call on tonight.

World Cup participants Richard Kingson and David Carney are both set to start while Chris Basham and Jason Euell should also feature. Winger Ishmel Demontagnac, who came on as a sub against Arsenal in the Premier League, is also in line for a run out.

The visitors may well have a wealth of potential options, but Banfield’s pool of players has decreased. Johan Djourou, Sébastien Squillaci, Denílson and Łukasz Fabiański have all turned out for the Reserve this term, but they’re all on Champions League duty in Serbia.

An injury to Manuel Almunia means one of Vito Mannone or Wojciech Szczęsny will fly out as back up to Fabiański, meaning James Shea is poised to take over goalkeeper duties. Nicklas Bendtner and Aaron Ramsey are both closing in on fitness, and are likely to turn out for the second-string in the coming weeks.

Kick off at Underhill is at 7pm UK time. The fixture is the last of Arsenal’s “good weather” games at Barnet. You can view live text updates on our Twitter feed, and a full Match Report on the full time whistle.

Arsène Wenger has backed Wojciech Szczęsny’s push for a first-team place, and sympathises with his frustrations over a lack of involvement this term.

Szczęsny ranted in the Polish media earlier this week at his treatment since returning from a loan spell with League One Brentford, accusing the Frenchman of breaking promises and ignoring him. However, Arsène was quizzed about the 20-year-old’s comments this afternoon in his pre West Brom press conference, and issued support for his frustrated prospect.

“He is right (to be frustrated). He must trust us, no club has brought through more young players than us.”

Wojciech has previously endured a fractured relationship with Wenger, dating back to the FA Cup Semi-Final against Chelsea in April 2009. The Pole pressed the boss to be included on the bench, but he opted for fellow rookie Vito Mannone, leading to a nasty revolt.

Szczęsny has revealed his contract with Arsenal expires at the end of the season, and although there has been three meetings over an extension, the club appear to be in no rush to get a new deal signed.

Reserve team goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny has revealed his relationship with manager Arsène Wenger has broken down, and the Poland international is seeking a move away from the club. The 20-year-old cites broken promises behind their now fractured relationship.

Szczęsny, speaking to the ‘Gazeta Wyborcza’, has accused Wenger of back tracking on key points made during the summer and then refusing to listen to loan offers. When quizzed about life at Arsenal, the youngster ranted;

“Despite our talks before the season, Arsène Wenger seems to forget he has a goalkeeper named Wojciech Szczęsny in the team. He is avoiding me at every occasion.”

“Wenger told me to fight for a first-team place, but then he didn’t include me in the squad for the Carling Cup game. My friends told me not to worry, that it’s a marathon, and not a sprint. But a marathon isn’t about running in the same place for three years.”

When asked about whether he’d consider a move away from Arsenal, Wojciech revealed he still has his sights set on the Arsenal first-team, but he’d seriously consider a move away.

“I’m ready to play at highest level but I need a club that believes in a 20-year-old. In Arsenal there’s no such bravery. My main goal is to play for Arsenal, but if there’s a move option, we’ll have words.”

Szczęsny saw a loan move to former club Legia Warsaw collapse during the summer, and his future with the club is now far from clear.

Arsène Wenger will take a strong squad across North London for tomorrow’s Carling Cup tie with Tottenham tomorrow evening. The Frenchman has included just three Reserve team players – backing away from his usual youth based approach.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Henri Lansbury and Craig Eastmond have all been included, while Benik Afobe and Chuks Aneke are on the stand by list, should there be any last minute injuries. Wojciech Szczęsny, contrary to reports in the English media, will not play. Wenger has instead opted for Wojciech’s fellow countryman Łukasz Fabiański.

Arsène Wenger is contemplating including Reserve team striker Benik Afobe in Arsenal’s Carling Cup squad to face Tottenham tomorrow. The 17-year-old has been training with the first team over the past week.

Wenger is poised to stick with his traditional policy of fielding a young side despite facing North London rivals Spurs, who are set to name a strong lineup. The Frenchman is struggling for forward options with Nicklas Bendtner and Gilles Sunu still recovering from injuries, leaving just Carlos Vela and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas as potential options.

Afobe, who was named in the England Under 19 squad this morning, has been a Reserve team regular this season and could earn a place on the bench.

Elsewhere, Conor Henderson, Craig Eastmond, Havard Nordtveit and Henri Lansbury are all nursing knocks that rate them as 50:50. It means bit-part first teamers Denilson and Emmanuel Eboue may come in, while Johan Djourou is expected to return from Reserves duty to feature.

You can read more team news and a full preview on Young Guns tomorrow.

Arsenal played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad in the Premier Reserve League this evening. John Guidetti gave City a first half lead via the post, but Jay Emmanuel-Thomas equalised with an excellent curled effort from the edge of the box.

Neil Banfield was again able to call on first-team experience with Johan Djourou featuring again at second string level, while Wojciech Szczęsny played his first minutes in an Arsenal shirt since pre-season. Oguzhan Ozyakup returned from injury to make the bench.

Szczęsny
Hoyte – Djourou – Miquel – Evina
Eastmond – Randall
Emmanuel-Thomas – Aneke – Deacon
Afobe

Subs: Shea, Boateng, Meade, Ozyakup, Murphy.

Manchester City kicked things off but were immediately forced onto the back foot. Roarie Deacon had early joy against Shaleum Logan down the left hand side, and he worked the first great opportunity of the half. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas played a long ball for Craig Eastmond over the back four, he released Deacon who cut inside and had a fierce shot blocked by Ben Mee.

After more pressure from The Gunners, John Guidetti caught the back four cold and forced a fine save from Szczęsny. Just moments later the situation would repeat itself, but with a different result. Randall gave the ball away and Guidetti rode the tackle of Miquel to smash the ball off the post and in. 1-0 to City.

The goal disrupted the flow of Arsenal’s passing and City took full advantage. Hoyte was forced to block Ibrahim’s long range shot and then McDermott’s free kick had Szczęsny flapping in a 10 minute block of pressure from the hosts.

Yet the final moments of the half were dominated by the visitors. Aneke rolled inside and curled an effort over before Afobe got around the back and smacked an effort off the bar. Eastmond had the best chance, though, volleying Aneke’s cross off the post and away. 1-0 at the break.

Half Time – Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal

With Neil Banfield’s words still ringing in their ears, Arsenal began the second half well. Aneke and Afobe played some lovely touch football and the latter managed to spring the back four and get in around the back, yet just as he was about to pick a cross, Mee came across and made another final tackle. It was a warning, though.

City then managed to find their top gear and should have had a second when Ibrahim smashed Djourou’s poor clearance off the bar. There was more pressure from the hosts, but finally Arsenal got the equaliser. Emmanuel-Thomas collected the ball on the edge of the box and cut inside on his left foot, only to curl the ball into the top left corner. 1-1 and an excellent strike.

Both sides pushed hard for the winner in the closing stages and as City began to tire, the Gunners pressed their advantage. Afobe again got in behind but oped to pass when a shot was on, and another promising move came to nothing. Emmanuel-Thomas was next to try, smashing a free-kick inches wide.

The rain poured down and although Afobe had a powerful header saved well, the game fizzled out in the closing stages, finishing 1-1.

Neil Banfield’s Reserves are in action this evening against Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad in the Premier Reserve League. Both sides are unbeaten with two wins from a possible two.

In terms of team news, Johan Djourou continues his run out for the second string while Wojciech Szczesny also comes in. Oguzhan Ozyakup makes the bench after injury. Full line up:

Szczesny; Hoyte, Djourou, Miquel, Evina; Aneke, Eastmond, Randall; Deacon, Afobe, Emmanuel-Thomas.

The fixture is being streamed live on Manchester City‘s website from 7pm. You can also get text updates on our Twitter feed @YoungGunsBlog. A full Match Report will follow on the full time whistle.

Welcome to this weekends Loanees Watch – Young Guns’ analysis, reports and updates on the progress of the young starlets currently plying their trade away from the Emirates Stadium. You can read all the latest reports below.

Sanchez Watt played 57 minutes on the wing for Leeds United as they came from behind to beat Swansea City. Watt was involved in several chances in the first half, notably setting up Bradley Johnson who hit the bar. He was replaced by Lloyd Sam just after the equaliser.

Kyle Bartley completed the 90 minutes at centre half for Sheffield United as they beat Derby County 1-0.

Luke Freeman came off the bench to play the final six minutes of Yeovil’s 3-1 win against Tranmere Rovers. Freeman had little impact as a sub, but did collect a late yellow card for delaying the play.

Francis Coquelin was an unused substitute for Lorient as they drew 0-0 with Brest.

Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes at left back for FC Cartagena as they thrashed Barcelona B 5-1. Botelho also added to his superb start to the season with two assists, both from left wing crosses. You can view video highlights of the assists by clicking here. Pedro’s involvement was in the second and fifth goals.

Samuel Galindo did not feature in UD Salamanca’s 1-0 win over Gimnastic as he continues to build up his fitness after the summer break. He did however play in a midweek friendly, scoring against Santa Marta.

Nacer Barazite started and played 65 minutes on his Vitesse Arnhem debut against Heerenveen. The Dutchman played wide on the left and had two notable chances to score, both assisted by fellow loanee Ismail Aissati.

Armand Traore was not included in the Juventus team which drew 3-3 with Sampdoria.