Arsenal Reserves were brought back down to earth at Underhill this evening after they suffered a demoralising 4-1 defeat to last season’s Reserve League South champions Aston Villa.
Eight of the starting eleven were in the squad for last week’s 6-0 thrashing of Sheffield United in the Carling Cup but this was a reality check for them.
Neil Banfield handed Emmanuel Frimpong his reserves debut in central midfield, whilst there was also a first start at this level for Thomas Cruise at left-back.
——————–-Mannone—————–
—Hoyte—–Bartley—–Thomas-—–Cruise
—Lansbury—-Randall—Frimpong–-Wilshere
—————Simpson——Fonte———
subs: Szczesny, Ayling, Freeman, Murphy.
The Gunners started off the brightest team and enjoyed most of the early possession; so it came as a big suprised when Villa took the lead after only three minutes.
Jay Thomas couldn’t clear the ball properly and Mark Albrighton was on to it in a flash. Cruise couldn’t catch him and Albrighton slotted it past Mannone for the opening goal of the game.
The Gunners looked for an instant response and Frimpong tested Villa ‘keeper Parish with a powerful drive.
But on twelve minutes the Gunners’ defensive frailties were exposed again. Weimann played the ball in behind Cruise and Albrighton crept round the back and finished for his second of the game. It was a poor goal for Arsenal to concede and a tough induction to Reserve football for Cruise.
Nathan Delfouneso was causing problems as well and Bartley brought down the lively striker on the edge of the box and was lucky to get away without a booking. Luckily for Arsenal, Stieber hit the resulting free-kick well over the bar.
Villa were closing Arsenal down at every opportunity and it was becoming frustrating to watch.
In a rare Gunners attack, Wilshere sent a lofted ball into the box and it was headed down by Bartley but Simpson scuffed his effort.
Lansbury then did well to find Simpson who laid it off to Wilshere but the Stevenage-born youngster couldn’t connect properly with the ball using his right foot.
Then, just before the half-hour mark, Cruise gave the ball away and Albrighton skipped forward and found Steiber who made it 3-0.
Arsenal were determined to salvage some pride but Frimpong and Simpson squandered chances from close range.
Nathan Delfouneso then turned Bartley and his shot was well saved by Mannone.
The Gunners had two opportunities to pull one back in the dying moments of the first half. First, Frimpong’s incisive pass found Fonte who was denied by Parish. Then Frimpong went for goal himself and sent a crashing shot over the bar.
It summed up what had been a frustrating first-half for Arsenal, who went into the break three goals down.
Half time- Arsenal 0 Aston Villa 3
Neil Banfield gave his players a stern talking to at half-time and the Gunners were out on the pitch for the second-half three minutes before kick-off.
When the game did eventually restart there seemed more urgency about Arsenal, with Frimpong hitting a free-kick over the bar.
Just when Villa thought they had the game sewn up, the Gunners grabbed one back. Rui Fonte played the ball in, the ball bobbled up in front of Wilshere and eventually found it’s way to Mark Randall who delivered an accurate drive past Parish for his second goal of the season.
Arsenal were now beginning to get into the game more and Wilshere drifted inside and was causing problems. Simpson and Thomas went close for the Gunners whilst Mannone had to be alert at the other end to deny Delfouneso, and then, on 61 minutes, Banfield made some changes.
Rhys Murphy came on for Wilshere whilst Freeman replaced Rui Fonte. Murphy went up front to partner Simpson with Freeman on the left-wing.
Any lingering hopes Arsenal had of taking anything from this game were well and truly put to bed when Steiber curled in an excellent free-kick on 64 minutes for his second and Aston Villa’s fourth.
Villa were regaining control and Mannone had to deny Steiber again shortly after. Barry Bannan then struck the inside of the post from a free-kick.
With ten minutes remaining, Banfield made the final change available to him with Luke Ayling coming on for Cruise, who had a poor game. Ayling went to partner Bartley at centre-back with Jay Thomas switching to left-back.
Randall had a free-kick saved and then the former Wimbledon youngster came close again from the resulting corner.
Henri Lansbury then capped off a miserable evening for Arsenal when he was sent off late on for a lunging tackle. It was needless and reckless and no doubt Banfield will have a word with him about it.
There were a few positives to take out of this game such as the performances of Randall, Freeman and Frimpong as well as the work-ethic of Simpson but in general the team were poor and will be looking to pick themselves up ahead of next week’s game with Stoke.
Full time- Arsenal 1 Aston Villa 4
