Arsenal U18s 3 Norwich U18s 2- Sunu and Murphy steal the show

Steve Bould’s Arsenal under-18s side remain top of Premier Academy League Group A this evening, but they rode their luck at times in today’s tricky encounter at Norwich’s Colney training ground.

Bould handed a debut to summer signing Oguzhan Ozyakup, whilst he also welcomed back Jay Thomas, Rhys Murphy and Thomas Cruise to the side. Gilles Sunu also returned, whilst Luke Freeman and Emmanuel Frimpong missed out because of international duty. Jonas Rasmussen joined last week’s hero Benik Afobe on the bench. After Luke Ayling was forced to fill in between the sticks against Fulham, Bould took no chances this time and named young ‘keeper Charlie Mann on the bench.

————-Shea—————

-Obed—–Bartley—–Ayling—Cruise

-Eastmond-Thomas—-Ozyakup-Sunu

———-Murphy—-Deacon——

subs: Mann, Byles, Blackwood, Rasmussen, Afobe.

The Gunners started the better of the two sides, playing their neat passing football and looking to break down a Norwich side who had held them to a 0-0 draw in the corresponding fixture last season. Ozyakup tested Canaries ‘keeper Declan Rudd early on and it seemed that it was only a matter of time before Arsenal took the lead.

However, it was in fact the hosts who struck first. Arsenal conceded a penalty for the second week in succession following a hand-ball in the area and Kris Renton stepped up and converted past James Shea to make it 1-0 to Norwich.

The Gunners were determined to get back into the game as quickly as possible and they levelled just one minute after going behind. Gilles Sunu latched onto a well-timed cross for his third goal of the season.

Both sides then had chances to take the lead. The hosts peppered Shea’s goal with goalscorer Renton nodding an effort just over the bar. Shea was then called into action to deny Josh Dawkin. Danny Kelly then squandered another opportunity after being played through by Renton.

At the other end, Jay Thomas very nearly marked his return to the side with a goal and saw his effort smash against the crossbar.

But it was Norwich who went into the interval the happier of the two sides after Renton grabbed his second of the game with a spectacular effort. The Canaries man chested the ball down and then fired a tremendous volley into the back of then net that left Shea stranded.

HALF TIME- NORWICH 2 ARSENAL 1

There seemed to be a greater urgency about Arsenal as the second-half commenced with the Gunners determined to get back into the game. Murphy tested Declan Rudd but again the Norwich ‘keeper was equal to it.

Eventually, Arsenal’s perseverance paid off. Thomas had another effort saved but Rhys Murphy converted from the spot to put the Gunners on level pegging once again.

Arsenal pushed on in search of a winner, with Sunu being foiled by the impressive Rudd. It looked as if it was going to be another draw between the two sides but Sunu struck seven minutes from time to hand all three points to the Gunners. The Frenchman has been likened to Ryan Babel, but he showed shades of Thierry Henry with that finish.

Bould’s boys take on Southampton at London Colney next week before the eagerly-awaited trip to Ipswich.

FULL TIME- NORWICH 2 ARSENAL 3

Loan watch: Win for Barazite, draws for Traoré and Gilbert

Read on for the latest Loan Updates…

Armand Traoré- Aston Villa 0 Portsmouth 0

Armand retained his side in Pompey’s starting line-up for the trip to Villa Park. Portsmouth should have gone into the break in the lead but Jermain Defoe couldn’t steer the ball home after Traoré’s fierce effort was parried.

Portsmouth were happy to finish the game all square in the end after being forced to play the last nine minutes after Sean Davis’s dismissal for two bookable offences.

Traoré had already left the field two minutes before the red card was dished out after being replaced by Nadir Belhadj.

Nacer Barazite- Derby County 2 Plymouth Argyle 1

After helping Holland u-19s to the Elite Round of UEFA u-19 European Championship Qualification, Nacer returns to domestic action this weekend as Derby take on Plymouth in the Championship. The Dutchman started on the right-flank for the Rams but could only watch on as Paul Gallagher put the visitors into the lead just eight minutes in.

Barazite was having none of it though and set to work on imposing himself on the game. He hit an ambitious effort just wide and then provided the cross from which Derby drew level through Rob Hulse’s finish. Paul Green won the game for the Rams with his goal on 52 minutes.

Kerrea Gilbert- Oldham 0 Leicester City 0

Kerrea has been a regular at right-back for Nigel Pearson’s side so far this season and will be looking to start again when the Foxes face Oldham.

Pedro Botelho, Havard Nordtveit- Tenerife v U.D. Salamanca

Pedro impressed after coming on as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Eibar last week and will be looking to force himself into the starting line-up for tomorrow’s game with Tenerife, whilst Havard Nordtveit is unlikely to travel after his exploits with Norway under-19s during the week. Salamanca currently sit top of Liga Adeliante and will be looking to stay there after this weekend’s round of fixtures.

Vincent van den Berg- AGOVV 2 Zwolle 1

Vincent is still out injured and watched from the sidelines again as Zwolle surrendered a 1-0 lead to AGOVV on Friday night.