Watt and Barazite goals hand Arsenal victory over Huddersfield

Picture via News Group Newspapers

Second-half goals from substitutes Sanchez Watt and Nacer Barazite gave Arsenal a 2-1 victory over League One side Huddersfield at the Galpharm Stadium this evening, meaning that the Gunners became the winners of the innaugral Herbert Chapman trophy.

Arsene Wenger named a young squad for the trip to Yorkshire and the starting line-up was pretty much as expected, with Walcott partnering Vela up front and Kieran Gibbs slotting in at left-back.

————————–Fabianski——————-

—–J.Hoyte—Djourou (c)——————G.Hoyte—-Gibbs

—-Lansbury–Ramsey——————-Randall—-Wilshere

————-Walcott——————-Vela————

Arsenal burst out of the traps and Walcott’s darting run ended up with Wilshere getting the ball at his feet and the Stevenage-born youngster fed it into Randall who blazed it over the bar.

The Gunners continued to press with Wilshere finding Vela who forced a corner although nothing was made of it.

Huddersfield then hit Arsenal on the counter attack, forcing Fabianski into a good save and then moments later Gavin Hoyte rushed back and made a saving tackle to deny Huddersfield after Arsenal’s offside trap was exploited.

It was clear that this wasn’t going to be another encounter of the Burgenland kind for Arsene Wenger’s side, Huddersfield were up for it and determined to celebrate their centenary in style with ex-Everton forward Danny Cadamateri proving a handful.

Arsenal were still attacking though. First Randall found Walcott who drilled it just wide before Ramsey, who had a decent game, found Vela who hit it straight at the goalie.

It was soon becoming frustrating to watch as Arsenal struggled to keep possession against a strong, physical side.

But the chances were still coming thick and fast. Walcott tried to curl it in after being played through by Ramsey and Lansbury failed to scramble in the rebound.

A frustrating first-half but the best was yet to come.

Half time- Huddersfield 0 Arsenal 0

Arsenal opted to make several changes at the break with many youngsters entering the fray.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas replaced Gavin Hoyte at centre-back, whilst Barazite and Simpson came on for Walcott and Vela. Other changes saw Mannone replace Fabianski and Frimpong and Watt come on for Ramsey and Wilshere respectively.

—————————Mannone————————

–J.Hoyte——Djourou (c)——————–Thomas——Gibbs

–Lansbury—-Frimpong———————-Randall——Watt

————-Simpson———————–Barazite———

The changes seemed to disrupt the flow of the game, with the hosts also making a fair few changes. Frimpong and Randall both sprayed some good passes whilst Thomas looked alert at centre-back. Henri Lansbury was now becoming more involved although he was still a little restricted out on the right.

Jay Simpson created a chance for himself, showing a good first touch and technique before hitting it narrowly wide.

Sanchez Watt was next to come close after he almost turned in a ball from Kieran Gibbs.

On 65 minutes, Arsenal made three further substitutions with Fonte, Bartley and Nordtveit replacing J.Hoyte, Djourou and Lansbury.

————————Mannone————————

–Nordtveit—–Bartley——————Thomas—Gibbs

–Watt———Frimpong—————Randall (c)—-Barazite

————–Simpson—————-Fonte———

Gibbs continued to press forward and found Watt who came close again.

Then disaster struck. A long throw from Huddersfield was headed down by Bartley and fell to Michael Flynn who scored after a deflection off an Arsenal player took the ball past Mannone to send the home crowd into raptures.

Huddersfield’s lead didn’t last very long though as just a few minutes later Simpson showed great work-rate, technical ability and strength to cut in from the right and found Watt who was lurking in the penalty area. Sanchez wasted no time in making it 1-1, delivering a sweetly struck shot underneath the body of the ‘keeper.

Gibbs then curled an effort wide as Arsenal looked for the win but they needn’t have worried because three minutes from time Barazite smashed home a thunderous effort to give Arsenal the win after cutting in from the left.

Huddersfield pressed for an equaliser in stoppage time to try and force a penalty shoot out but in the end it was Arsenal who walked away with the trophy.

Full time- Huddersfield 1 Arsenal 2

After the game, Wenger had the following to say

“It was a very interesting game, a good test for the young players.

“It was a very even game. Huddersfield defended very well, were very organised and good on the counter attack.

“We had to be patient. Overall I’m pleased because that’s approximately the level the reserve team should play each week.”