Midfielder Conor Henderson scored his first goal for the Arsenal under-18s side as they saw off Millwall 3-0 in today’s lunchtime kick-off. Henderson’s goal, in addition to strikes from Jack Wilshere and Rhys Murphy secured the win for Arsenal who play Bristol City on Saturday, before facing Fulham the week after. The result puts the Gunners four points clear of West Ham with a game in hand and a play-off place looks inevitable for Steve Bould’s boys.
Reserves manager Neil Banfield spoke to Arsenal.com about last night’s reserve stalemate with Spurs, and was critical of his side’s defending, saying
“You have to do your jobs. We had a good spell of possession and then all of a sudden they go down the right, stick the ball in the box and it ends up in the back of the net. The players have to do their jobs defensively. When you do have sustained periods of possession you must keep your concentration at the back and unfortunately our back four fell asleep for their goal.”
He was also unhappy with his side’s lack of ‘football intelligence’.
“I was telling them things that basically fall under football intelligence. At this club they have to use that and I am really disappointed to be saying that because they should have that really.”
However, he was full of praise for goalscorer Armand Traore
“Well Armand can do that kind of thing. He has a wonderful left foot and he struck it really well and it has flown in.
The Gunners face Derby next week and Banfield is anticipating a tough test for his side
“Derby have an Academy that they work at, and they put out a really young side, virtually their youth sides. Although they have been whipping boys they have a way of using the reserve level for development, much like we have been doing. It will be tough because they have good some young players.”
There will be more build up to that fixture in the next few days. In the meantime, you can enjoy a picture special from last nights game.
Fabianski makes a save in training
Rui Fonte warms up
The players practise ahead of the game
The players emerge ahead of the second half
The lads wish eachother good luck before the game
Nacer Barazite tries out a trick
Goalscorer Armand Traore shields the sun from his eyes
Gilles Sunu prepares for the game
Sunu, Barazite and Ogogo pre-match
The team warm up
Gavin Hoyte stays ahead of the chasing pack
Vito Mannone takes some advice on board
Paul Rodgers tries a long-range effort
ALL PICTURES ARE COPYRIGHT OF JEORGE BIRD’S ARSENAL RESERVES AND YOUTH BLOG AND ARE NOT TO BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION
Quotes from arsenal.com
Arsenal under-18s travel to face Millwall today knowing that a victory would put them within touching distance of securing a play-off place. After beating MK Dons 3-0 on Saturday and West Ham’s 2-0 defeat to Leicester, Steve Bould’s side sit top of Group A, one point clear of the Hammers with two games in hand, one of which is today’s match.
With the reserves in action last night, Steve Bould is likely to field a young side but won’t be able to include the vast majority of under-16s players in his squad as they are at the Nike Cup. Henri Lansbury is not yet match fit, and Wojciech Szczesny was injured in the warm up on Saturday.
——————–Shea————————-
–Blackwood——Bartley———–Thomas——-Evina
–Rasmussen———–Frimpong——–Eastmond——Freeman
——————–Wilshere————————-
——————–Murphy————————-
subs: Ayling, Cruise, Henderson, Watt
1.L.Freeman (4)
2.R.Deacon (3)
3.J.Emmanuel-Thomas (3)
4.M.Randall (2)
5.G.Sunu (2)
6.S.Watt (2)
7.R.Fonte (1)
8.C.Henderson (1)
9.R.Murphy (1)
10.J.Simpson (1)
