Simpson nets hat-trick as Dorchester are hit for six

Jay Simpson announced his return to Arsenal with a hat trick to help Arsenal beat Dorchester 6-1 in Brian Benjamin’s testimonial at the Jewson Stadium tonight.

Arsenal welcomed back Gavin Hoyte from injury, whilst Mark Randall returned from his loan spell at Burnley.

——————Mannone————–

–Rodgers——G.Hoyte————Ayling—-Steer

–Ogogo——-Dunne————-Randall—Gibbs

————–Simpson———–Barazite——–

The match was supposed to commemorate Benjamin’s time at the club, but it was Arsenal’s youngsters that the crowd had come to see.

The Gunners set about playing their neat passing game from the beginning and by half time they were three goals to the good. A brace from Jay Simpson plus one from Randall gave Arsenal the lead at the break.

Half time- Dorchester Town 0 Arsenal 3

Arsenal cranked it up a gear after the break and Simpson managed to clinch his hat trick. Randall scored a delightful free-kick and Nacer Barazite got his name on the scoresheet. Dorchester did manage to pull one back, but it was nothing but a mere consolation.

The final whistle blew and it brought the curtain down on what has been an eventful and overall successful season for Arsenal’s reserves.

Full time- Dorchester Town 1 Arsenal 6

Walcott looking forward to Vela arrival

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has revealed that he is looking forward to the arrival of Mexican forward Carlos Vela when his loan spell ends at Osasuna. Osasuna have just three remaining fixtures in La Liga, the first of which is against Mallorca tomorrow night, and Walcott is anticipating his arrival on English shores.

Speaking to Arsenal TV online, Theo said

He’ll be a nice player to work with. He’s a very quick player and has featured as a left winger this season. He would definitely fit into the squad as he’s a flair player and we’ve got plenty of those at the club.

Match preview- Dorchester v Arsenal XI

Arsenal reserves take on Dorchester tonight in Brian Benjamin’s testimonial. Benjamin is a Dorchester legend and the home side are likely to field players both past and present, whilst the Arsenal team is set to be made up of reserve players. There is an added incentive for some of the Arsenal players who will be hoping to earn a place on the bench against Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday. Jay Simpson, one of those hopefuls, has recently returned from a highly successful loan spell at Millwall and says that he doesn’t intend to stick around in the reserves very long. Speaking to the Arsenal matchday programme, he said

I want to be part of Arsenal’s future and you never know, I could get a chance in featuring in the last game of the season. That would be good. I got a lot out of my time with Millwall and I think I did well for them too, but it reaffirmed for me that I want to play my football at the highest level and I will do everything I can to make sure that I can do that with the Club I have loved since I was a child.

Kieran Gibbs is also expected to start tonight, having been an unused substitute for the first-team against Everton on Sunday. Gilles Sunu is on international duty with France.

Predicted team:

————————–Mannone———————-
—Gilbert———Rodgers————–Thomas—–Steer
—Ogogo———Dunne—————-Gibbs——-Barazite
——————Simpson————–Fonte————–
subs: Szczesny, Murphy, Ayling, Cruise, Frimpong.

Tonight’s match kicks off at 7pm and takes place at the Jewson Stadium.