Author: Staff Writer

Arsenal 2-2 Wolves – Nasri Assist On Reserves Duty

Staff Writer

Neil Banfield’s Reserves maintained their unbeaten start to the season yet lost their 100% record after sharing the spoils with Wolverhampton Wanderers this evening.

Samir Nasri and Łukasz Fabiański both made their comebacks following lengthy injuries as the Gunners had to come from behind despite taking the lead to claim a point. Gilles Sunu had got things going on 21 minutes following a superb passing move but a thumping header from Richard Stearman meant Fabiański lost his clean sheet and Banfield’s boys had it all to do. Wolves then took the lead via Ashley Hemmings before Sanchez Watt levelled within 60 seconds of Hemmings goal.

Arsenal began reasonably well and could have taken the lead when a lovely team move saw Watt lash over the ball on the turn. More pressure continued before Coquelin fed Nasri and the French maestro snapped an excellent pass into Sunu who finished emphatically.

Fabiański had to make two superb saves before Richard Stearman crashed home a left wing cross to put the score’s level. The half time break came and went with more Wolves pressure and they made it count again when Hemmings smashed a powerful drive from 30 yards beyond the reach of Arsenal’s number one.

Instantly they hit back though and after Watt side-stepped his marker, his scuffed shot squirmed beyond the stopper and into the net. 2-2 and although both teams had further chances, it was the fairest result.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal V Wolves – Reserves – Match Preview

Staff Writer

Reserves League South returns this evening as Arsenal travel to Telford’s New Bucks Head ground to take on their Wolverhampton Wanderers counterparts looking to defend their 100% record this season.

Neil Banfield’s rampant side are the complete contrast of the current Under 18 team who have a new look following the promotion of several youngsters who are now excelling in the second string. But their places are threatened with the news that Young Guns revealed last week that first team duo Samir Nasri and Łukasz Fabiański will be in the squad looking to put the finishing touches to their rehabilitation after injuries.

With the Carling Cup approaching rapidly the chances to impress are running out and with Wolves expected to bring a strong squad including a scattering of first team players, this fixture presents a real opportunity to stake a claim for Arsene Wenger’s Cup squad for the trip to Mersyside in a week’s time.

In Sanchez Watt and Gilles Sunu Banfield has two reliable forwards who both have a couple of goals each this term. The central midfield has been another promising area with Francis Coquelin turning in superb performance followed by superb performance. A similar outcome alongside his compatriot Nasri should see the Gunner’s home.

Kyle Bartley should lead a solid back four containing Ignasi Miquel who was rested by Steve Bould at the weekend. The 4-3-3 has been a useful tool this term and with options a plenty we’re going to pluck for a front three of Sunu, Murphy and Watt.

Predicted Starting XI

Fabiański
Gilbert – Ayling – Bartley – Miquel
Randall – Coquelin – Nasri
Sunu – Murphy – Watt

The fixture is a 7pm kick off at Telford’s New Bucks Head ground. Arsenal TV Online are expected to stream the game live although this is not confirmed. However, Young Guns will have a full Match Report on the full-time whistle.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Wenger Sends Adams To Scout Anderlecht's Lukaku

Staff Writer

The globe trotting adventures of Arsenal’s newly appointed scout Tony Adams continued over the weekend as he made the trip to Belgium to watch R.S.C. Anderlecht at their Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

He was present to make checks on exciting striker Romelu Lukaku who turned out for the home side. The 16-year-old 6 foot 3 inch striker posses a lethal strike rate at youth level and he’s now showing that form on a bigger stage. Four goals from seven fixtures for the Brussels based outfit has seen Lukaku become one of the most talked about prospects in his home land.

Lukaku, despite his tender age, is much travelled but performed notably for his former employers FC Brussels. 68 goals in 68 games for their youth team brought the attention of giants Anderlecht, and Romelu continued his exploits after penning a contract with them. 121 goals in 88 fixtures for the B team saw him promoted into the first team.

A current Belgian Under 21 International, the forward, who isn’t 17 until May, scored on his international debut against Slovenia. Lukaku will continue to represent Belgium despite being of Congo descent. The player’s family have issued a firm ‘hands off’ warning stating Romelu will stay with Anderlecht until he is at least 18, but with his rapid goal scoring rate there will be a real struggle to keep him away from the leading lights of European football.

Adams was reported to have been very impressed and will no doubt be making further checks on the striker in the coming weeks.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Loanees – Simpson Scores Again & Botelho V Cygan

Staff Writer

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.

Arsenal currently have six Reserves & Youth players gaining experience elsewhere. Jay Simpson is taking part in his third loan spell in as many years with West London outfit Queens Park Rangers. He is joined in the Championship by Henri Lansbury and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas who are with Watford and Blackpool respectively. Gavin Hoyte has made his second loan move in a year by sealing a temporary switch to Brighton in League One.

The Gunners currently have two youngsters cutting their teeth abroad. Pedro Botelho is spending his third successive loan spell in the Spanish Segunda, but this time with Celta de Vigo, while Håvard Nordtveit is spending the campaign in Germany with Nuremberg.

Read all the latest reports below.

Read more →

Arsenal 2-2 Norwich – Under 18's – Match Report

Staff Writer

Arsenal’s Under 18’s continued their stuttering start to the campaign by letting a two goal advantage slip to draw against Norwich City this morning.

Luke Freeman and Benik Afobe got their 7th of the season each, but a second half collapse mean Bould’s boys continue their terrible run of form. That said, the XI who started are among some of the most promising players to have come through the Academy in recent years, whilst on loan ‘keeper James Dunn continued between the sticks.

Dunn
Byles – Obed – Boateng – Evina
Frimpong – Aneke – Özyakup
Deacon – Afobe – Freeman

Subs: Brislen-Hall – Meade – Yennaris – Miquel.

Arsenal’s start belied what would ultimately happen later in the game. Emmanuel Frimpong and Chuks Aneke both had early cracks at goal as the Canaries failed to get out of the traps quickly. Luke Freeman was next to try before Sam Byles survived a claim for a penalty following a suspicious hand ball incident.

The Gunners kept plowing away and eventually found a way through when Roarie Deacon’s drilled corner deflected off Freeman and into the net. The former Gillingham frontman wheeled away in delighted at his 7th of what has proved to be a fruitful campaign.

Four minutes later it was 2-0. Benik Afobe capitalized on slack Norwich play to bully his way through to finish emphatically. Benik’s goal saw him go level with Freeman on 7 for the term as the top scorer race hots up.

The goals should have been a platform of which to work from, yet lapses in concentration combined with an improved spell from the visitors saw City come flying back, with two goals both scored from terrible defending. It finished 2-2 leaving Steve Bould with much work to do if he is to stop the current decay.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Eastmond Leaves Banfield With A Satisfying Headache

Staff Writer

Arsenal’s Under 18’s walked away with the League, League Cup and the FA Youth Cup last season, but perhaps most importantly, an enhanced reputation.

Since then, Jack Wilshere has constantly been named in the first team squad, Jay Emmanuel Thomas and Henri Lansbury were snapped up on loan, and Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong constantly flirt with the Carling Cup squad. There is one man though who has quietly gone about his business; Craig Eastmond.

Craig signed professional terms at the end of last season after playing every minute of Arsenal’s FA Youth Cup run. He also became a star man for the Reserves, finishing the campaign with a promising six starts to his name, despite playing in an unfamiliar right back role. Craig’s tremendous work ethic matched with his raw determination helped make the position his own.

The only blemish was the FA Youth Cup Quarter Final clash against Tottenham, in which Andros Townsend was able to get past his marker on several occasions. Yet this was soon erased, as only a couple of months later, the two foes met again, and a much improved Eastmond demonstrated his resolve by keeping a tight lid on the speedy left winger. The performance impressed many, and also silenced any critics.

Craig has continued to develop well this season, and has been given the chance to impress in his natural central midfield role, starting three of the five Reserves games and scoring twice along the way. His early season form hasn’t gone unnoticed, and he was amongst the Arsenal substitutes for the first time against West Brom in the Carling Cup.

The Wandsworth born starlet maintained his outstanding start to the season with an all action display against Chelsea Reserves on Monday night, demonstrating his composure in possession and provided a commanding influence in the centre of the park which was rewarded with a goal.

Neil Banfield’s side boast an embarrassment of riches in the midfield department, and this perhaps unexpected yet pleasing form shown by Eastmond has certainly given the manager a selection headache, while also helping his first-team cause

The Under 18’s success last season helped place several young players on the professional radar, but this year Eastmond has been given his chance to impress, and it’s a chance he has clung too with both hands.

If Craig continues to turn in consistent displays and develop as expected, then he looks certain to follow the Wilshere route into the first-team.

Loanees – Hoyte & Botelho + Ansah's Nets For U16's

Staff Writer

Gavin Hoyte made his debut for Brighton and Hove Albion yesterday just 24 hours after completing the paperwork for a month long loan deal. He started at right back for the Seasiders as they drew 2-2 with Yeovil Town.

Brighton began well and had a reward for their effort inside the opening 6 minutes when Andy Crofts beat home glovesman Alex McCarthy with a composed finish. Hoyte was required to make two rugged challenges as Yeovil battled back but it was the visitors who would extend the lead through Liam Dickinson’s lashed finished.

But Town hit back through Scott Murray before half time following a slick move and terrible defending from Brighton – of which Gavin was not involved. It seemed they would hold on for a win but Yeovil won and converted a penalty with 8 minutes left to claim a point.

Pedro Botelho racked up another 90 minutes for Celta Vigo as their stuttering start to the season continued with a 1-1 draw. The Brazilian started on the left hand side of midfield in a 4-4-2 as the managerless outfit switched things around. It appeared to work as Celta took the lead through Aspas Juncal Iago following Botelho’s cross just two minutes after half time, but they again dropped points when Francisco David Sousa levelled for Albacete.

Zak Ansah was again in the goals yesterday as he bagged a classy brace for Arsenal’s Under 16’s as they beat Ipswich Town 2-1. The pacy forward will link up with the England squad next week for the SkySports Victory Shield and he got in the swing of things with two neat finishes. Midfielder Joe Jones should have incrased the scoreline but he had a hat-trick of headers well saved.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Ipswich 3-2 Arsenal – Under 18's – Match Report

Staff Writer

Arsenal’s Under 18’s continued with their topsy-turvy start to the season this morning as Steve Bould’s charges struggled against a more cohesive Ipswich Town side, eventually going down 3-2.

Conor Henderson and Jernade Meade both got their firsts of the campaign but Bould’s boys looked a shadow of the team which comfortably won both the Premier Academy League and F.A Youth Cup. A brace by Conor Wickham either side of Ronan Murphy’s strike condemned the Gunners to defeat. Daniel Boateng’s red card summed up a frustrating morning.

In the absence of James Shea and Sean McDermott, Bould drafted in James Dunn, a first year scholar from Fulham on a temporary emergency loan. He started between the sticks in front of a new look back four which included Ignasi Miquel – fresh from penning professional forms. Emmanuel Frimpong and Conor Henderson added experience to the midfield alongside Nicholas Yennaris.

Dunn
Boateng – Hajrovic – Miquel – Evina (c)
Frimpong – Yennaris – Henderson
Aneke – Afobe – Freeman

Ipswich began well and could have had a penalty inside the opening 10 minutes as Arsenal struggled to keep the ball. It could and should have been 1-0 after Caolan Lavery’s stinging shot, but James Dunn showed his credentials with a super stop. Skipper Cedric Evina battered the post with an effort of his own but it was about as close as the visitors came in front of a decent crowd at the Playford Road training centre.

However, it was Arsenal who took a surprise lead when Henderson curled home a delicious free kick with his left foot. The goalkeeper didn’t even move. It was the only real bit of quality the Gunners provided all game.

Wickham could have had a hat-trick if it wasn’t for stand in stopper Dunn, but eventually Ipswich found a way through. Wickham picked out Ronan Murphy who nutmegged Dunn for the equalizer. It was level at the break but Bould typically lashed into his players with an acid tongued approach.

There was a reaction, but it wasn’t a positive one. Boateng added to his yellow card for a poor challenge with a second for violent conduct and Arsenal had to battle on with 10 men. Freeman did hit the bar but the Tractor Boys completed the come back shortly after and were soon out of sight after Wickham’s jinking run and finish combined with a classy strike after catching out the poor Arsenal defence following a long ball over the top meant he had a brace, and the game was won.

Byles, Obed and Meade all came on and the latter pulled one back with a neat finish from the left hand side, but in truth the Gunners were comfortably beaten. Must do better will be the message for next week.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Walcott Injured As Gibbs & Wilshere Shine For England

Staff Writer

Theo Walcott limped off injured at half time during England’s 6-3 win over the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia this evening. The electric frontman suffered a dead leg and was pulled off in front of a 20,074 crowd at the Ricoh Arena.

Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere both started for Stuart Pearce’s Under 21’s and the former got the rout going after a superb team move. Tom Cleverley found Walcott following an excellent cross-field ball from Jack Rodwell, and as Theo raced towards goal, the 20-year-old stood up a cross at the back post where Gibbs was on hand to nod over the line.

Eight minutes later number two arrived. Wilshere’s corner was flicked on by Michael Mancienne and Micah Richards thumped home a second. Betim Aliju was then credited with a Macedonia goal following a scramble on a free kick and it was 2-1 at the break.

West Ham youngster Zavon Hines replaced Theo at half time and it appeared England had lost their way on 52 minutes when Chelsea’s Mancienne slipped and allowed Ibraimi to make it 2-2. But it only lasted two minutes before Andy Carroll headed Gibbs’ cross home to put the hosts back in front. Yet in a sincilating second period, back came the visitors. Ibraimi’s drilled corner caused chaos in the box and Kieran Gibbs, who was standing on the goal line, turned into his own net. 3-3.

The Three Lions could have slipped to defeat after that but they regained their composure and went on to bulldoze Macedonia. Hines grabbed a brace either side of another Carroll goal.

A topsy-turvy fixture in terms of Arsenal, with Gibbs scoring in the right and wrong goals, Wilshere impressing but Walcott getting injured. Still, the future looks bright.

Article By – J.Sanderson