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Author: Staff Writer
Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal – Reserves – Match Report
Arsenal’s Reserves beat Chelsea Reserves 2-1 this evening at Brentford’s Griffin Park. Luke Freeman and Gilles Sunu struck in either half while Nemanja Matich pulled one back for the hosts.
More to follow.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Blog Review – ‘Insightful & Entertaining’ Untold Arsenal
There are blogs about Arsenal, and there are blogs about Arsenal. They come in all forms. Informative, entertaining, insightful and intelligent. Untold Arsenal fits in all those categories. As the name suggests, it’s different from all the others, and it’s certainly one of our favourites.
If blogs are like teams, Untold Arsenal is a title contender. It’s lineup is notable, boasting a Belgian referee, an academic from Lancaster University, an economic student at Leeds plus a regular stream of occasional contributors. All edited and managed by successful author Tony Attwood.
Untold Arsenal sets out its stall fair and square on the home page: “Supporting the Lord Wenger in all he does” it proclaims. Yet far from subscribing to the “Arsene Knows Brigade”, Untold challengers and analyses the key decisions and isn’t afraid to dish out criticism when needed. They also study finances and statistics but if you’re a more relaxed kind of reader, the pre-match analysis delivered by the imaginary ‘Billy the Dog’ will certainly tickle your fancy. The site also It also takes a very strong line on corruption in football – from FIFA and UEFA down to the Conference.
Chief Editor Tony Attwood is a respected writer. He’s the author of the successful book “Making the Arsenal” – the story of Arsenal in 1910 when the modern club was formed – and a regular contributor to the Arsenal matchday programme. He’s also written for the official Arsenal website. Tony also runs a second site which charts the comings and goings of football in general and Arsenal in particular, 100 years ago.
All together, Untold Arsenal is a thrilling read. You can find the site over at – http://blog.emiratesstadium.info. We guarantee you won’t regret reading it.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Monteiro Debuts As Arsenal's U16's & U18's Win
Arsenal’s Under 18’s continued their title push with a hard earned 4-2 win over Portsmouth yesterday in the completion of a re-arranged fixture. Cedric Evina, Roarie Deacon, Sam Byles and Oguzhan Ozykaup all scored in what proved to be a feisty encounter on the South Coast.
Captain Cedric Evina led by example and cracked home the opener with 20 minutes on the clock but instead of going on and doubling their lead, Portsmouth hit back. Lewis Stockford took advantage of poor defending to slot home and set up an interesting second half.
The Gunners snapped straight out of the traps in the second period and re-took the lead when Roarie Deacon ended his recent goal drought with a fine finish. Yet the hosts, who have had issues with their transport to and from games following the club’s money problems, showed amazing spirit. They got stuck in and James Jennings’ strike drew his side level.
The final 10 minutes were as frantic and as frenetic as you’re likely to see at this level. Arsenal used the pace to their advantage and finally managed to kill off their hosts. The unlikely savior? Sam Byles. The versatile defender bagged a rare goal before Dutchman Oguzhan Ozykaup put the final nail in the coffin, making it 4-2.
Elsewhere, Arsenal’s Under 16’s also dispatched of Portsmouth. New scholars Callum Webb and Jeffrey Monakana had given Steve Gatting’s boys the lead before Anthony Jeffrey grabbed his first at this level. However, the game was spoilt when Martin Angha was left with damaged medial ligaments following a horrible two-footed challenge. His Swiss team-mate Elton Monteiro replaced him for his debut, but let in two late goals.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Stoke City 0-1 Arsenal – Reserves – Match Report
Arsenal Reserves put themselves back into contention for the Reserves League South title by beating a tricky Stoke City side 1-0 this evening. Nacer Barazite’s 8th minute strike was enough to defeat the Potters on a freezing night up North.
Stoke brought a strong side which included first-team players Diego Arismendi and Amdy Faye while £3.5 million ‘keeper Asmir Begovic made his debut between the sticks. Arsenal also included a scattering of first-team players, although they were all under 21. Luke Ayling captained for the first time while Francis Coquelin and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas were handed starts in new roles.
Mannone
Coquelin – Ayling (c) – Miquel – Cruise
Frimpong – Eastmond – Merida
Barazite – Thomas – Sunu
Subs: Shea, Evina, Yennaris, Henderson, Freeman.
In front of around 500 fans at Nantwich Town’s Weaver Stadium, Arsenal’s exciting forward line got straight to work on the Stoke backline. Flowing football between Fran Merida and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas created space and the Spanish midfielder had the first good chance, just firing wide. It was a warning, a warning which was not heeded, and with just 8 minutes on the clock, Nacer Barazite shook off any shackles by finishing well beyond Asmir Begovic.
Emmanuel-Thomas and Eastmond both had chances to extend the lead, but at half time it was 1-0 to Arsenal on a bitterly cold night.
The second half was a tight and physical affair. Crunching tackles were the orders of the final 45 but the game as a contest really came to a head and ended just before the break when Arismendi was dismissed for a straight red card. Dutchman Barazite was then withdrawn shortly after the hour mark, with another step in his rehabilitation complete. Luke Freeman replaced him moving out to the left while Sunu switched to the right.
There was a selection of further chances but the three points head back to London with the Gunners, who are now right back in the title tilt.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Stoke City V Arsenal – Reserves – Match Preview
Arsenal’s Reserves return to action this evening with a tricky trip North to face Stoke City at the home of non-League Nantwich Town. The fixture will see Luke Ayling begin his tenure as second-string skipper.
After a flying start to the season, defeats to Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Fulham curtailed a potential title push but a 4-2 romp over West Ham last time out put Neil Banfield’s boys right back in the running. Since then a selection of his regulars have left for loan spells including captain Kyle Bartley and regular goal getter Sanchez Watt. Those exits cushioned by the return to fitness of Ayling and Nacer Barazite.
Banfield is now set for a reshuffle and on the advice on Arsène Wenger, Francis Coquelin will play at right back as the boss tried to hone his defensive talents. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas will continue in the striker role behind a midfield containing first-team players Fran Merida and Craig Eastmond. Barazite and Emmanuel-Thomas will form an exciting forward line.
Predicted Starting XI
Shea
Coquelin – Ayling – Miquel – Cruise
Frimpong – Eastmond – Merida
Barazite – Thomas – Freeman
Kick off is at 7pm UK time at Nantwich Town’s Weaver Stadium. Highlights will be available via Arsenal TV Online on Thursday while a Match Report will be published shortly after the full time whistle right here, on Young Guns.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Loanees – Wilshere Debuts As Simpson & Randall Score
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.
In the Premier League – Jack Wilshere played 78 minutes on his Bolton Wanderers debut at the City of Manchester Stadium. He started on the left wing and was Bolton’s most notable player as they were beaten 2-0. Jack showed several great touches and made a great chance for Fabrice Muamba in the first-half, chasing a lost ball into the corner before volleying it back into the path of the former Gunner.
In the Championship – Kerrea Gilbert played the second half in a defeat for Peterborough while Henri Lansbury played 83 minutes on the right hand side of midfield for Watford. Kyle Bartley went straight into the Sheffield United team and played 90 minutes for them in a 2-1 defeat. He picked up a yellow card late on but otherwise performed well.
After holding show down talks with Queens Park Rangers boss Mick Harford, Jay Simpson was restored to the R’s team and he scored in the 66th minute in a 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town. Simpson played the 90 minutes and turned in a performance which validated his frustration at being dropped last weekend.
In the Johnson’s Paint Trophy – Mark Randall scored for Milton Keynes Dons and played 57 minutes as they failed to reach the final. A 4-1 aggregate defeat to Southampton did the damage but Randall did score in the 3-1 loss tonight, bagging a right footed strike just before half time.
Gavin Hoyte did not get off the Brighton bench this evening. Yesterday Sanchez Watt played the 90 minutes on his Southend debut, impressing on the left wing.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Frimpong Rejects England For Ghana Allegiance
Emmanuel Frimpong has angered England selectors by rejecting a future with the Three Lions in favour of representing the country of his birth – Ghana. The defensive midfielder has been capped at Under 16 and Under 17 levels by England.
Frimpong was a regular in Arsenal’s Under 18 double winning side last season but has yet to kick on into the Reserves on a regular basis. He has been on the bench for the first-team in previous weeks but with the emergence of Craig Eastmond in the holding role plus Francis Coquelin’s recent excursions in the side, chances have been limited.
England Under 19’s have been in touch after Emmanuel’s previous title winning experiences with his adopted country but he has told Arsenal.com that in future, he’ll be available for the Black Stars.
“I have always said that, no matter what, I will always play for Ghana because at the end of the day, from what I believe, I am a Ghanaian.”
“England has done a lot for me and my family but at the end of the day I can’t see myself playing for England because I am not English – I am from Ghana.”
Ghana’s selectors now have a second reason to watch Arsenal after defender Daniel Boateng also pledged his allegiance to them last year.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Loanees – Wilshere Unused Again, Szczęsny Stars
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.
In The Premier League, Jack Wilshere was once more an unused substitute for Bolton Wanderers as they hosted Fulham. The England Under 21 international is yet to make his debut for the Trotters after joining on loan until the end of the season. Loanee Rating – 0.
In the Championship, Kerrea Gilbert took on Jay Simpson as Peterborough United hosted Queens Park Rangers. Gilbert was benched after the return to fitness of Chris Whelpdale while the last minute signings of Marcus Bent and Tamas Priskin meant Simpson’s run of starts ended. Jay replaced Priskin with 25 minutes left as QPR finished with 9 men while Gilbert was an unused substitute. Loanee Rating – 4.
Henri Lansbury played the full game for Watford playing behind the lone striker in a 1-0 defeat to Barnsley. Henri whipped a free kick just wide in the first-half but Barnsley controlled the game and took all three points. Loanee Rating – 6.
In League One, Wojciech Szczesny kept another clean sheet for Brentford as they smashed Gillingham. The Polish stopper had two saves to make but the Bees were comfortably on top and cruised to victory. Loanee Rating – 7.
Gavin Hoyte and Mark Randall were both unused substitutes.
Article By – J.Sanderson