Wilshere and Eduardo offer positives on stormy Stoke night

Last night’s Reserve encounter with Stoke was memorable for two reasons.

Firstly, Jack Wilshere’s two goals, the first of which was an absolute stunner, underlined his rapidly-growing profile and it’s surely only a matter of time now before he gets more regular appearances in the first-team (even if they are from the bench). You can view the first goal here. A stunning curling effort with the outside of his left boot.

The other plus point was that Eduardo completed his first 90 minutes since his return from injury. He even found the back of the net late on but it was chalked off for offside. Still, he showed some flashes of brilliance and hopefully, if all goes well, then he will make his first-team return shortly.

The game itself was not short of incident. Neil Banfield opted for a 4-5-1 formation, drafting Kyle Bartley and Thomas Cruise into the defence. Lansbury, Randall, Merida and Wilshere made up the four-man midfield with Bischoff operating just behind Eduardo.

After a bright start, the Gunners went behind after poor marking allowed Ashley Page to rise and head home past Mannone. Arsenal responded through Wilshere’s wonder-strike just five minutes later.

It remained 1-1 until the break, but it was the hosts who started the second period on top. They made their dominance count when Tom Thorley hit a deflected volley into the back of the net after yet more lapse marking.

To make matters worse, Mark Randall was then dismissed for a strong challenge. The odds were against Arsenal, but they responded.

Wilshere went on to grab his, and Arsenal’s, second of the game with a fiercely hit shot to level proceedings. It was the least that Arsenal deserved.

Havard Nordtveit also completed 90 minutes in his first game since his nightmare loan spell at Salamanca, whilst Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Craig Eastmond and Rui Fonte all came off the bench to play some part in the game.

In other news, defender Paul Rodgers, who previously failed trials at Watford and Nottingham Forest, has joined League One side Northampton on a month’s loan. He has been given the no.23 shirt and is expected to be released by Arsenal, along with Abu Ogogo and Rene Steer, in the summer.