Author: Staff Writer

Neil Banfield’s Arsenal’s Reserves remain on course for the Reserves League South title after dispatching of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Underhilll this evening. Right back Francis Coquelin scored the only goal of the game after 23 minutes to seal the win.

With the news before kick off that captain Luke Ayling had joined Yeovil Town on loan, Craig Eastmond took the arm band as Banfield rotated his stock. In came Under 18 starlets Chuks Aneke and Benik Afobe to add a physical and raw presence while Thomas Cruise slotted in alongside Ignasi Miquel at centre half.

Shea
Coquelin – Cruise – Miquel – Evina
Aneke – Eastmond – Frimpong
Afobe – Freeman – Watt

Subs:- Dunn, Byles, Yennaris, Ozyakup, Murphy.

Arsenal began well with early possession on a typical spring evening at Underhill. Although they had the ball, the young Gunners failed to create anything in the nervous opening stages. It took two quick fire Wolves corners to finally shock the hosts into life, who could have grabbed the lead through Luke Freeman’s swift turn, but he couldn’t find the killer finish.

After knocking on the door, a Sanchez Watt free-kick caused havok in the Wolves box and Francis Coquelin’s simple finish was enough to see Arsenal finally smash through. The young visitors tried to respond but lacking the creativity, they struggled to impose themselves in attack. Instead Aneke and Eastmond shots were both wide but dangerous, as the Gunners went down the tunnel in front at the break.

The biggest action of the second half was the substitutes. Oguzhan Ozyakup and Rhys Murphy’s craft replaced Aneke and Afobe’s energy as time ticked away. Wolves bossed things and looked to force an equaliser with time ticking down, but on the break Cedric Evina’s pace was always a danger. It finished 1-0.

Neil Banfield’s title chasing Arsenal Reserves begin their final assault for the Reserves League title tonight at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. The fixture marks the first of three home games, before two away fixtures which includes Championship rivals Aston Villa. With just five games to go, it’s anyone’s guess who will be victorious.

It’s been over a month since the second string were last in League action, but Banfield has kept his charges busy. Behind closed door friendlies have filled the gap including one against MLS outfit Colorado Rapids. A selection of the squad have also returned from Dubai, where they took part in the recent Soccer 7’s Tournament. Nothing has been left to chance in the bid for success.

As usual, a handful of star players have gone out on loan, yet Sanchez Watt has opted to return to North London from Southend to aid the title assault. Rhys Murphy is also back, from loan and injury and he will be involved. Yet there are still gaps which need to be filled, meaning a selection of Steve Bould’s Under 18’s are likely to step up.

Captain Luke Ayling will continue his role alongside a defence which should remain largely unchanged. That means Francis Coquelin and Ignasi Miquel will play in the back four, but the front line is subject to some changes. How fit Rhys Murphy is to start and who will join Sanchez Watt on the flank, we are yet to see.

Predicted Starting XI

Shea
Coquelin – Ayling – Miquel – Cruise
Frimpong – Eastmond – Henderson
Afobe – Murphy – Freeman

Kick off is at 7pm at Barnet’s Underhill Stadium. Young Guns will have a Match Report shortly after the full time whistle.

Cardiff City chairman Peter Risdale has confirmed that Arsenal are tracking 18-year-old right back Adam Matthews, who has been subject of talks between the Bluebirds and Manchester United.

Talented Welshman Matthews has broken through in the first-team this campaign after joining Cardiff as an eight-year-old. Aged 16 he won the Football Association of Wales Trust player of the year and Adam collected his second notable gong on Sunday, when he scooped the Championship Apprentice of the Year for 2010. Arsenal have been scouting him all season.

The tenacious and strong right back currently has 27 appearances this term, scoring once. Matthews is also a current Wales Under 21 international and Manchester United have followed him for a number of months. A bid of around £4 million was mooted in January while some speculated that he has signed a pre-contract to join the Red Devils. This was swiftly denied by Risdale.

“We’ve had two or three enquiries and I know Manchester United and Arsenal are in for the lad.”

“But there is no agreement with any club, verbal or otherwise. We want Adam to stay with Cardiff and that’s what we are hoping will happen.”

Francis Coquelin is currently being tried out in the right back slot while Gavin Hoyte and Kerrea Gilbert are unlikely to still be with Arsenal in the summer. Coquelin has performance adequately so far, but whether Arsène Wenger decides on bringing in more back up for Bacary Sagna and Emmanuel Eboué, time will tell.

Martin Angha made his long awaited debut for Arsenal’s Under 18’s as the Gunners dispatched the MK Dons 4-0 at London Colney. A brace from Benik Afobe saw his goal drought come to an end while Chuks Aneke continued his superb form. Late sub Josh Rees completed the rout.

With a selection of Steve Bould’s first choices away with the Reserves in Dubai, a selection of the newly signed scholars were handed an opportunity to impress. Zak Ansah, Jamie Edge and Samir Bihmoutine formed the spine of the team with Angha starting at right back – an indication as to where his long term future could lay.

McDermott
Angha – Obed – Boateng – Bihmoutine
Edge – Yennaris – Ozyakup
Aneke – Ansah – Afobe

Subs:- Dunn, Wynter, Rees, Neita.

Benik Afobe took just 25 minutes to get off the mark but once he had one, there was no stopping him. Just 3 minutes later he had a second, Arsenal had a second and the game was all but over. Second half strikes from Aneke and Rees’ first of the season at this level wrapped up a convincing win.

Arsenal Reserves kick off their Emirates Airline Football 7’s tournament in today in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Neil Banfield has taken a 12 man squad out to the desert to compete with seven of the biggest names in club football from around the world.

The Gunners’ group consists of Feyenoord, Blackburn, and Olympiacos while the other pool contains AC Milan, Brondby, Celtic and Leeds United. Each team fields seven players with eight minutes per half and a two minute half time break. Substitutes can be used at any point with a roll on and off system being in operation. The tournament is designed to test the technical and team working skills of the players as they use their tricks and skills to beat opponents and score. The full list of rules is Here.

There is also Arsenal interest in another section of the competition, with the Gunners sending out a Legends team. Former Highbury favourites Anders Limpar and John Jensen are among a selection of former pros signed up to play. AC Milan are favourites to collect the gong for for this section, though, as they boast a side which includes Paolo Di Canio, Paolo Maldini and Christian Vieri to name just a few. You can view the complete set of legend players for each team Here.

Banfield has taken a strong side which will be captained by Luke Ayling. Dutchman Nacer Barazite is the senior figure of the squad while James Shea is the only goalkeeper. The full 12 man team is as follows:

James Shea, Sam Byles, Francis Coquelin, Luke Ayling, Cedric Evina, Thomas Cruise, Emmanuel Frimpong, Ignasi Miquel, Nacer Barazite, Luke Freeman, Conor Henderson, Rhys Murphy.

Young Guns will be updating you on the progress of the side during their stay in Dubai.

Update: Arsenal 2-1 Feyenoord (Murphy and Freeman) – Arsenal 1-1 Blackburn (Cruise)

Bolivian midfielder Samuel Galindo has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Arsenal in the summer, but in the meantime he will train full time at the club. The Gunners decided against completing the transfer in January as allegations of age cheating dogged the move and the clock timed out before any deal could be done.

Galindo is now on the payroll at Arsenal but he is not available to play in any professional games for the club. The club will review the situation in July where it’s expected he will sign a professional contract. UD Salamanca have already offered to take the prospect on a 36 month loan deal allowing him to complete the criteria for an UK work permit.

The Gunners were keen to check the validity of those age cheat claims which were published by Young Guns following information from a Bolivian TV network. The club are believed to be satisfied that he is 17-years-old while the player himself has said he will not sue anybody who reported the news (like Young Guns) but he is considering action against the TV network.

Samuel is currently training at London Colney on a full time basis and will until May. In May he will return to Bolivia and complete the paperwork required to apply for a Spanish passport and head to his new loan club, which looks set to be Salamanca. After a lengthy loan process, he will then return to Arsenal. However, he hopes to have earned 75% of available caps for his national team by December 2011, meaning he could return early.

Captain Cesc Fabregas has held lengthy talks with the 6 foot midfielder who made his Gunners debut against Dagenham and Redbridge a month ago. Arsenal have given Galindo an advance of over £500 but his future payments are unclear due to the complex manner of his ownership. 50% of the players rights are owned by a selection of English businessmen who arranged his trial with Arsène Wenger’s side while the family and his current club Real America also hold shares. All in all, the transfer fee paid to the different parties looks set to go around the £800,000 mark with Wenger breaking his policy of not signing players who are owned by different parties.

Welcome to this special midweek 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.

In The Premier League…

Jack Wilshere racked up another 90 minutes and continued his run in the Bolton Wanderers side for their trip to Sunderland. In a game of little luck for Bolton, they were routed 4-0 but SkySports pundit Paul Merson admitted that Wilshere was the best Trotters player on the pitch.

In The Championship…

Gilles Sunu played 76 minutes and scored his first professional goal for Derby County away to Reading. The Rams had an awful start. After going 1-0 down to Long’s goal, goalkeeper Stephen Bywater went off injured but there was some joy when Sunu equalised after lashing home inside the left post. Reading re-took the lead but sub ‘keeper Deeney was then sent off meaning Robbie Savage went between the sticks.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas played the full game for Doncaster Rovers in 1-1 draw away to Preston North End. Again playing just off striker Billy Sharp, Jay was involved briefly in a selection of attacks but didn’t look like scoring in what proved to be a bore draw.

Jay Simpson played 84 minutes for Queens Park Rangers but didn’t add to his sizable goal tally for the season. Continuing in his penalty box poaching role, Simpson had two chances to score, one in either half, but he tired towards the end.

Henri Lansbury was subbed off in second half stoppage time having played the whole game for Watford against Swansea. The struggling Hornets slipped to a 1-0 defeat with Henri playing in the number 10 role behind the striker.

In League One…

Mark Randall racked up 84 minutes for MK Dons in their 2-1 win over Swindon. Having chipped the ball over the back four for the Dons’ winner at the weekend, Mark turned in another decent shift in the centre of midfield for Paul Ince’s improving outfit.

Arsenal striker Wellington Silva will play out his time with parent club Fluminense in the first-team after coach Alexi Stival announced he will be a regular in the side following the sale of prize asset Maicon. Silva currently has two appearances for side for Flu for whom he has one goal and two assists. His latest at the weekend, where he set up the winner against Botafogo.

Wellington is quickly becoming the golden boy of Brazilian football and following his match winning performance at the weekend, a regular slot on the left wing is set to see the 17-year-old given the chance of a life time in the frenetic Serie ‘A’. Naturally the leap from youth team to the big time is a large, yet Stival has complete trust in the prospect.

“Wellington is still a boy. Just two years ago he did not know if he would ever play for Fluminense, but now he knows the responsibilities asked of him. Maybe sometimes he trys to do too many tricks but he is only 17-years-old. He will play against Confiança with my complete trust and he has my full support.”

The sale of Maicon has opened up a place in the team but the differences in the players are notable. The Fluminense coach was eager to put to bed any direct comparisons when quizzed yesterday:

“Maicon is more of a sprinter type. He collects the ball and speeds up the wings. Wellington is more direct. He’s always looking to score goals. Wellington gives us much more options on the wing. It’s another way of doing things, something very different from Maicon.”

The player himself remains dedicated to the Flu cause and has previously refused to talk about his impending switch to Arsenal. However, he broke his silence over the weekend only to stick to his policy and deflect attention in favour of his appreciation for everything he’s learnt so far.

“I don’t like to talk too much about Arsenal, I’m at Fluminense and I love this club. I know it’s many players’ dream to play in Europe and I’m no different but I owe Fluminense a lot and I’ll always remember this club.”

Silva’s first fixture comes this weekend where he will line up against Confiança in the Rio Cup.

A Neil Banfield led Arsenal XI lost to the link club Colorado Rapids in a behind-closed-doors friendly at London Colney this afternoon. The MLS outfit have been taking advantage of the Gunners training complex as they build up to the new season. The Rapids are at Emirates Stadium for tonight’s Champions League match against Porto.

Shea
Coquelin – Ayling – Miquel – Cruise
Frimpong – Eastmond – Henderson
Barazite – Freeman – Watt

Banfield named a strong starting XI which included in the form Luke Freeman and returning loanee Sanchez Watt. Francis Coquelin continued at right back. The Rapid’s grabbed the only goal of the game in the 52nd minute when Conor Casey tapped in from an Omar Cummings delivery. In the second half Arsenal rotated. In came 11 changes including a debut for Damián Martínez between the sticks while Rhys Murphy – who’s loan spell at Brentford was ended prematurely due to injury – also featured.

Martínez
Byles – Obed – Boateng – Evina
Edge – Yennaris – Ozyakup
Aneke – Afobe – Murphy

Having drawn with Ipswich Town on Saturday, the young Gunners are back in action this Saturday with a home game against the Milton Keynes Dons.