Arsenal and Southampton played out a thriller on the South coast this afternoon, as an amazing 8 goals in 30 minutes saw a poor game finish up as an outstanding example youth football.
Steve Bould was able to bring back several of his outstanding Youth Cup prospects, and with an injury to Charlie Mann, in came new signing Harry Lee for his debut between the sticks.
Lee
Eastmond – Blackwood – Ayling – Evina
Deacon – Frimpong – Thomas – Watt
Sunu – Freeman
Both sides struggled to settle in the awful conditions, but eventually Arsenal showed their dominance when skipper Jay Emmanuel-Thomas danced inside and shot just wide.
Charlton Athletic loanee Lee was then forced into making his first save since joining the Gunners, as the hosts kicked on. The half time whistle came and went but there was still no serious chances – changes were needed.
Bould then looked to his bench for match winning inspiration, and minutes later Özyakup and Afobe came on. However, their entrance had the reverse effect as Southampton bagged two goals in quick succession.
However, Arsenal then showed their character and took the game to the Saints. Oğuzhan Özyakup bagged a superb brace, before an own goal put the visitors in front. Gilles Sunu thought he’d made the game safe with a 4th, until Southampton found another from nowhere.
At 4-3 Bould’s boys could have panicked, but they kept their heads and the hard working Jay Emmanuel-Thomas capped off an excellent display with his 9th of the season.
Article By – J.Sanderson
I got serious hopes for Jay E-T, he must be a better option than Song?
Whattaya reckon J?
I think he needs to improve a lot more. He has some games where he is lethal, but when he steps up his performances are irratic.
Very talented player, and technically he blow Song out of the water. We just need to see him do it week in week out for the Reserves, not Under 18’s.
Who scored the third?(am I blind?)
“Oğuzhan Özyakup bagged a superb brace, before an own goal put the visitors in front. Gilles Sunu thought he’d made the game safe with a 4th”
It was an own goal.
How did Sunu play?
Right you are J, been watchin his development for a long time now and the fact he has a presence about him, I think he could step up and be in the 1st team squad next season, along with Coquelin.
I think he’s one of those where if he doesn’t make it here, he will be outstanding somewhere else.
But Arsene Wenger has him with the first team a lot, so by that i would say he rates him highly. But Coquelin – he’s going places, I’m sure you will see him around the first team over the summer.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks Coquelin is quality, plays great in any position so far, but CM/DM gas got to be the best place for him…cant wait. Also JET is one of my favourite players, i hope so much he makes it at Arsenal, maybe a future captain….
Hello J, great report as ever. There was a rumour about Gilles Sunu joining Lyon this summer. Do you know if there is some truth about that rumour?
Out of Coquelin, Jay Thomas and Frimpong who has got the best chance of making it, and who is the most talented?
I reckon Coequlin is a Jack of all trades type of player. He’ll probably be a more talented version of Flamini for us.
Jay Thomas looks like the most skillfull player out of the three, while Frimpong seems like a proper defensive midfielder that loves to show some tricks.
It was an article published by us ‘Swedish bstrd’.
We understand there is a lot of truth in the rumour yep
Who is lee?
Jay, how did Sunu play? and i spoke to some people close to him (him being Sunu) and i was told he was not planning on leaving, but i hope he doesn’t i think he’ll be class.
By Jay i meant J. Sorry for the confusion.
Great game, glad to see Oguzhan score his first goals for us.
I like Jay a lot but you have to take notice that considering his age, he has made very little progress. Like always, you should not read too much into his position but rather what you see on the field but consider this:
– He is the same age as Ramsey and Lansbury, a year younger than Coquelin (who is a reserve regular)
– He wasn’t a starter for the U-19 and is not in the newest squad. Meanwhile, Lansbury is the captain and the star player of the side.
– He plays very little for the reserves
– He was only once chosen for the CC squad
– Like JS has pointed out, he is great for the U-18 but seems very much out of his depth at reserves level.
I have only seen some highlights with him plus the Seville game. He seems to have it way too easy in the U-18, sometimes almost walking through the middle of defense. Against Seville, he played at left back. He did not play well in my opinion, although you could clearly see he is more suited for a central position. He looks like a really nice lad and a decent player. He has the perfect physique and great technique but he really has to step up soon if he is ever going to make it here. Next season will see him too old for the U-18 so that means reserves/first team/loan will be the options. I really can’t see him being promoted to the first team without establishing himself first at the reserves level so the options are basically two. Either go on a loan to a League 1/Championship side or be in the same position as Randall is now, reserves football and perhaps CC.
At the same time it’s interesting that Lansbur is captain of the U19 but can’t get a game at CM for our reserves. Wenger and the coaching team seem to prefer Randall playing there.
J,
any idea why that is? And how does the coaching staff look at all our CMs in comparison to eachother.
‘Nin’, it’s difficult for J to really answer questions like that as he doesn’t know them personally, all he can do it offer opinions and forward rumours and exclusives that come through the grapevine.
Personally I think Randall will go out on loan next year for a full year, and then Lansbury will perhaps get 6 months in the middle, and then go out in January, it’d difficult managing all these great prospects however I suppose it’s a good problem to have.
Out of the English players we have, I’d say it’s Wilshere and Gibbs who have the best chances of making our matchday squad every week in the next 2 years, Randall and Lansbury need to really kick on.
But you forget they’re still 19 and 18, Beckham/Scholes/Neville etc didn’t break into the United set up fully until they were 20, 21 and 22, just because players like Rooney and Wilshere develop quickly, doesn’t mean others who aren’t as far advanced at 18 don’t have a chance.
Arse.com seems thave been at a different match??
However a deflected shot from Sanchez Watt immediately brought the visitors back into the game and, on 71 minutes, substitute Oguzhan Ozyakup sneaked in a goal from the right to draw Arsenal level.
Jay Emmanuel Thomas gave them the lead for the first time with a shot from the edge of the area with 11 minutes left.
Ozyakup appeared to give Arsenal some breathing space three minutes later but Southampton sub Sam Argent kept matters on a knife edge before Gilles Sunu ended the argument with a shot from close range with three minutes to go.
Well, according to Arsenal.com you have the goals wrong. Thats why I didnt understand it..
Arsenal goals:
1. Own goal
2. Oguzhan Ozyakup
3. Jay-Emmanuel Thomas
4. Oguzhan Ozyakup
5. Sunu
On the NOTW website…… were going for Micah Richards…. PLEASE SIGN THIS BOY… DM….. ARSENAL FAN!!! PLEASE PLEASE LET IT BE TRUE!!!!
Well, having been involved in the Arsavin deal to Arsenal, i am the advisor of English clubs for Zenit, there is another deal currently being discussed and that is the one to send Tymoschuk to Arsenal. Which is why some of Arsenal representatives have stayed in Zenit and not gone back even though the offer has been made to Zenit for Arshavin and negotiations have been completed. They are negotiating for Tymoschuk, expect a fee of around 10m. Bayern also want him but we have made first steps.
who did we sign harry lee the keeper from?
and is he better than james shea?
DON’T BRING ME ARSHAVIN.
JUST BRING ME SOMEONE BETTER THAN EBOUE
Welcome back, J.
Stone: it’s important to remember that not all players take the same time to develop. It’s an oversimplification to say “this player is 18 and is a bit better than this one, who is 19, so the 19 yo should be discarded”.
The thing about Jay Thomas is hes technically and physically impressive, its just consistancy that lets him down (for the reserves… he always performs for the U18s), given a couple of years his consistancy could improve, his reserve performances will have an added air of confidance that he has when playing for the U18s but not the reserves atm and remember how versatile he is. When you talk about Landsbury and Randall your talking about two centrally minded players, one of whome can kind of play down the right but obviously doesnt enjoy it. Thomas can play accross the defence, midfield and even as a second striker.
Personally i dont see Randall or Landsbury making it, both seem to take two steps foward and then a step back again each season. I might he jumping the gun but especially with Randall i think hes got worse over the last season… with Landsbury its harder to tell as hes great for the england U19s but not so great for us although hes played out of position.
Coquelin and Frimpong are bigger threats to Jay than Landsbury or Randall in my opinion since they both perform with consistancy and also have proven their versitality.
About Arshavin, i know wikipedia aint the most reliable source but have you seen how many assists he gets? Incredible if its accurate… could be dynomite with Adebayor and Bendtner in particular with their heading prowess and his crossing ability. The problem is that if we sign him it’ll probably signal end of the line for Simpson and Barazite. Cant see Rosicky getting many games either when (and if) he returns…
Oh and well done to the U18s… although 5-0 would be slightly more encouraging, but atleast it shows they can overcome the opposition in those epic explosive matches and not crumble under the mental pressure and end up on the loosing side of the scoreline.
Özyakup sounds like hes showing himself to be a real prospect aswell. Cant wait to see the highlights on ATV.
Jay, Awesome reporting thanks what do you think of sending some players to the MLS Colorado Rapids like Randall and some others on loan? Too everyone saying Lansbury isn’t going to make he’s been @ AFC since age 9 give him a break. I’ve been really impressed with JET & FC,OO…Great job future first team GUNNERs.. Peace…
I came across this blog – interesting read
Matt: How would sending our players halfway around the world to the equivilant of a non league side help anything but our bank balance, when we could have our pick of clubs for the regular CC team?
Mav: I Like what you say, but damn man, there is no D in Lansbury.
I’d like Arshavin to come but I really think its over. And I’m pretty certain Richards won’t either, although I’d like him – especially if our staff can have him back to that form that made you think ‘hmmm… next sol?’ when he played.
Gillingham’s youth set-up is still reaping the benefits a year after Luke Freeman completed a dream move to Arsenal, with several of his former team-mates lining up to follow in his footsteps.
The promising forward hit the headlines last season when he became Gills’ youngest ever player after appearing in an FA Cup tie at Barnet aged 15. It prompted a scramble for his signature between several top flight clubs, with Arsenal paying a reported £200,000 to win the race last January.
While Freeman has yet to appear for the Gunners’ first team, he has four goals in nine games for the club’s under-18 side this season and played for England under-16s last summer.
Although the move meant Gills were deprived of making the most of Freeman’s talents, the transfer significantly raised the profile of the club’s youth set-up.
Mark Patterson, manager at Gills’ Centre of Excellence, has seen a tangible difference in attitudes towards the club since the Freeman deal.
He said: “We get a lot of people who contact us now wanting to come here and I think a lot of that is off the back of the publicity from Luke. There’s also the fact [first team manager] Mark [Stimson] promotes them quickly into the first team, which is very helpful. The experience of that for the kids is worth so much, you can’t put a figure on it.”
The loss of Freeman has not put Stimson off blooding the best young players in the first team. When Gills played Aston Villa in the FA Cup three weeks ago, five of the squad were under 19.
Patterson is reluctant to highlight individuals, but admits he would not be surprised if a top flight side came calling again for one of his young talents.
He said: “If a big club is looking to take a chance, then 100 per cent guaranteed they could take them and complement other team’s squads. They’re a great bunch of lads. Some will fall at different levels, but I think there’s one or two who might just get to the Premier League.”
Non Edible Nachos: I agree with you and all I was trying to point out is that JET is way down the pecking order compared to his age group. Maybe the biggest worry is that he has already developed so well physically. You can make the point with Lansbury and Merida that they need more tima to bulk up. Jay, however, probably benches more than the likes of Denilson, for example, and he is usually the tallest one on the pitch as well. I just think he has nowhere near as good understanding of the game as the pre mentioned players. In 5 years I rather see JET in a hard battling EPL team like Blackburn than still being here.
As Non Edible Nacho has already stated, I dont think you can lump young players together in age to judge their development, they aint all like Cesc!
Look at Jay Simpson, last year I doubt many of us wouldve thought he’d still be at Arsenal, yet he’s signed a new deal and looks like a premier league player and it seems Wenger has plans for him in our 1st team.
Then theres Lansbury who WAS the destined to be a big player for us, yet has been over shadowed by Jack. I hope he makes it mind, then again I want ALL our yutes to make it!
Jay E-T will definitely be a top player for us IMO.
Robert (I think) how you know about the Timoschyk transfer or was it just a load of b*llocks fella???
Stone: Do you not think someone has to have an incredible reading of the game to be able to fit in at any position and still look impressive?
With our focus on technical skill, passing and first touch, vision etc. – the youth system was always going to be crowded with potentially exciting CMs. It’s a problem we need to sort out and one that, to be honest, we are messing up. Randall should be shipped off, Merida and Lansbury look uncomfortable on the wings and that’s clearly not working etc. Moving Gibbs to LB seems to have worked, Thomas looks good wherever he plays but surely deserves a chance to focus in on 1 spot (although who is complaining if, in 5 years we have that 1 guy on the bench who can play anywhere and excel) but what happens in a year, or two, or three? Add two years of academy CMs to a collection of (discounting already first team CMs) Randall, Lansbury, Merida, Coquelin, Thomas, Ozzie the Dutch fella, Frimpong, maybe even Ramsey and Song, and any we might buy along the way (like we do most summers)… it seems like too much of a clusterfuck to work out in our favour (on the pitch anyway, we make a few bob + sell on fees).
Spike: Talking about Denilson this week (and looking at the age we sold Hoyte actually, now I think about it!), Arsene said that 23 is the age you can really tell. So, Simpson’s got 2 or 3 years to prove himself. Don’t you just wish they were all Cesc though!
It’s just, as I stated in my last comment, we can only end up with say… 6 at most CMs out of the thousand or two we have.
AGUANTE MARADONAAAAAAA!!!
I think we will have an embarassment of riches in centre mid soon and given our lack of defensive minded midfielders, Jay E-T and Coquelin could be the answer there?
But, its tricky, as players seem like world beaters, only to drift out (Micah Richards perhaps?)
JAJAJA! JUST A JOKE FOLKS!
Personaly im waiting to see wath team is going to have manchester city with the mountain of money of the emirat’s sheik.
Gibbs and Ramsey start.
what about the u16s?
bloody hell, we cant even beat cardiff with a near full strength side..
and arsene says having asharvin is a bonus??….noo, we need him if we want to play champions league football next season
@ Sanuel – Eboue is 25. Can u tell? Wenger sure can’t. He loves his ‘passs-master’. As for Gavin, he left because he knew there was no way he could displace Sagna. If he was deluded and wanted to stay, wenger would have let him.
Mate saw u16 vs saints said arsenal we had a very tall player in midfield who dominated the match scored 1 set up 2 and played like a g – he didnt get his name but said he scored the first goal and looked a bit like P Viera- any ideas ? Is he signed and why isnt he playing 18s if hes that good.
It must be Chuks seen him a few times got his 1st start for the 18s few weeks back so lookin to push on – shud be playing wid 18s now as he is wasted at 16s and it looks too easy for him.