Fonte and Barazite goals give Arsenal win over Rushden & Diamonds

Rushden & Diamonds 0 Arsenal XI 2

Goals from strikers Rui Fonte and Nacer Barazite gave an Arsenal XI a 2-0 victory over Rushden & Diamonds at Nene Park tonight. Fonte nodded in a header from a corner in the first-half, whilst Barazite sealed a win with a tap in in the second period. Kieran Gibbs put in another impressive performance, as did Rene Steer, who regularly got forward from left-back to support the attack.

Steve Bould named the same starting XI from the Crawley game, but played players in different positions. Havard Nordtveit missed out through injury, so Paul Rodgers skippered the side at centre-back. Abu Ogogo reverted to right-back, whilst Jay Thomas switched to left-midfield meaning Barazite partnered Fonte up front.

———————–Szczesny——————-

–Ogogo—-Bartley——————Rodgers (c)—-Steer

–Watt—–Dunne——————-Gibbs——–Thomas

———-Fonte——————–Barazite————

subs: Shea, Frimpong, Ayling, Cruise, Murphy, Eastmond.

As with the Crawley game, it was a tough, physical encounter and will stand the lads in good stead for when the Reserve League South campaign kicks off at Underhill against Chelsea a month tomorrow. Emmanuel Frimpong came on again and impressed whilst Thomas Cruise also looked lively. It was another good workout for the lads against a team of professionals and once more outlined the tough decisions which Reserves boss Neil Banfield will have to make this season as there is a lot of competition for places, especially when you consider the likes of Merida, Nordtveit and the players who were with the first-team were not in action tonight.