Arsenal under-18s edged a step closer to a play-off place with a comprehensive 6-0 win over Cardiff City this morning. Arsenal were two-nil up at half-time after an Emmanuel Frimpong strike and a Rhys Murphy penalty. Luke Freeman, Sanchez Watt, Jay Thomas and Nacer Barazite all found the net in the second half to complete the rout.
The Gunners welcomed back Sanchez Watt and Thomas Cruise from injury, whilst Luke Freeman and Emmanuel Frimpong returned from international duty. Conor Henderson and Jonas Rasmussen were both handed starts in midfield.
————————-Szczesny—————————-
—Blackwood——-Ayling————-Thomas (c)———-Cruise
—Rasmussen——Frimpong———-Watt—————–Henderson
——————–Freeman———–Murphy
subs: Hoyte, Fonte, Barazite, Evina, Shea.
Arsenal were quite slow out of the traps early on and Cardiff intended to heap the pressure on them. The Welsh side’s no.10 had a couple of opportunities but Szczesny was equal to them on both occasions.
Next it was Arsenal’s turn to attack, Emmanuel Frimpong burst forward from midfield but had his shot saved, Rhys Murphy couldn’t do any better with the rebound and hit it over. But just nine minutes later, Frimpong made amends when he curled a beautiful free-kick from the edge of the area into the bottom left-hand corner. Frimpong has been amongst the goals in recent weeks, both for the Gunners and England u-16s, whom he scored for against Germany last week.
Arsenal were growing in confidence and on 21 minutes Jonas Rasmussen was fouled in the area. Despite appeals from the Cardiff players, the penalty was awarded and up stepped Rhys Murphy to take it. Murphy, who was named in the England u-18s squad earlier this week tucked it home. The ‘keeper got a touch on it but there was enough power on the strike to see it in.
Arsenal had further chances before the half-time whistle blew, Luke Freeman hit an effort over the bar, and Szczesny had to be alert at the other end to deny Cardiff a goal from a free-kick after a foul by Conor Henderson. Henderson was involved again before the interval coming close with a strike, it was the last significant moment of the first-half.
Half time- Arsenal 2 Cardiff City 0
The second half began and players from both sides were locked in a tight physical battle. Cardiff seemed determined to get back into the game but were let down by poor finishing. Szczesny wasn’t even troubled by a weak effort from Cardiff’s no.8.
Henderson hit another opportunity over the bar, before Luke Ayling was the victim of a reckless tackle from a Cardiff player. He looked in pain, but stayed on the pitch for now, hoping to run it off.
In the mean time, Murphy should have doubled his tally when he rounded the ‘keeper but somehow managed to hit the ball over the bar.
By now, the pain was getting too much for Ayling, and this brought about the first substitution of the game.
(G.Hoyte for Ayling, 66 mins)
Just two minutes after the change, Arsenal found the net again. Freeman found himself in space out on the left and did what Murphy couldn’t do just moments earlier, he rounded the ‘keeper and scored.
Cardiff were tiring and the game was put beyond doubt two minutes later with a Sanchez Watt wonder-strike. The England u-17 international picked the ball up on the edge of the box and lobbed it over the ‘keeper for 4-0. It was quite a strike and I don’t think Sanchez could believe it himself as he stood still for a moment in admiration of his effort.
It was more like a training game now for Arsenal, and Jay Thomas underlined that fact three minutes later when he made a marauding run from midfield before slotting home. He is certainly a versatile player and has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers this season.
With fourteen minutes to go, Arsenal made two more subs
(Fonte for Freeman, 76)
(Barazite for Murphy, 76)
Cardiff had one more effort, but Szczesny was alert to catch the cross. His long throw found left-back Thomas Cruise who slotted it through to the on-rushing Barazite to score his 12th goal for the u-18s this season. It was 6-0 and well and truly game over.
Frimpong had one last chance in stoppage time as he headed the ball over the bar, but by then the game was already over.
Full time- Arsenal 6 Cardiff City 0
It was a well-earned win for Steve Bould’s side. They can expect a tougher time when they face MK Dons next week, with only four more fixtures remaining.
There was more positive news as Henri Lansbury was back in training after suffering from glandular fever, whilst Craig Eastmond should be fit to face MK Dons next week.
It wasn’t such a good day for the under-16s however, as they went down 2-1 to Cardiff.
PLAYER RATINGS
Wojciech Szczesny-7- Some good saves but needs better distribution
Anton Blackwood-6- A solid performance
Luke Ayling-6- Commanding but went off injured
Jay Thomas-8- Led by example
Thomas Cruise-6- Neat and tidy
Jonas Rasmussen-6- Didn’t get many chances but worked hard
Emmanuel Frimpong-8- JEORGE BIRD’S MAN OF THE MATCH
Worked hard all game and got on the scoresheet as well
Sanchez Watt-8- Stunning goal and slick passing
Conor Henderson-7- Did well and had some decent chances
Rhys Murphy-7- Scored one but should have got two
Luke Freeman-7- Great determination rewarded with a goal
SUBS
Gavin Hoyte-6- No nonsense display
Rui Fonte-5- A little greedy
Nacer Barazite-6- On target again
Photographs by R.Bird- Copyright www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com
