Arsene Wenger was at Underhill this evening to watch Arsenal Reserves continue their winning start to the Reserve League South this season with a well deserved victory over a Stoke City side who made life difficult for the Gunners. Rhys Murphy’s 50th minute strike which was aided in by the Stoke keeper was the decisive moment in a game lacking in attacking opportunities, although Neil Banfield will have been impressed with the way his side coped against a physically imposing outfit.
Neil Banfield made six changes from the side which comfortably disposed of Birmingham a fortnight ago. Wojciech Szczesny replaced Vito Mannone in goal, with Ignasi Miquel coming in for Armand Traore at left-back. Elsewhere, Philippe Senderos made his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt since pre-season after replacing Gavin Hoyte at centre-back. Francis Coquelin, Gilles Sunu and Fran Mérida all missed out because of international commitments, with Roarie Deacon coming in for his first reserves start and Rhys Murphy and Nacer Barazite also starting. On the bench there were call ups for first-year scholars Daniel Boateng and Oguzhan Ozyakup.
Arsenal, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Murphy as the lone striker, Arsenal began their high pressing game, allowing Stoke limited time on the ball.
When you hear Stoke mentioned, it usually evokes images of physically imposing seasoned professionals who do not shirk a challenge. This occasion was no different with Matthew Lund scything down Craig Eastmond early on.
Opportunities were initially hard to come by, with both sides enjoying sporadic spells of possession. The Gunners created the first notable opening, Deacon embarking on a mazy run which bamboozled veteran Andy Griffin. His shot was parried and fell to Barazite, who saw his shot saved.
Stoke replied with an opportunity of their own, Leon Cort nodding over from Griffin’s in-swinging free-kick.
When chances did arise for the Gunners, Deacon was usually at the heart of the move and it was his burst down the right and pass to Eastmond which presented a chance for Murphy, whose snap shot was well saved.
Deacon continued to exert his influence on proceedings, this time cutting in from the left wing having swapped sides with Barazite. On this occasion he saw his shot saved after being teed up by Sanchez Watt, but it was another demonstration of the Londoner’s vast potential.
There were further flashpoints in a rather uneventful first half; Randall hit a superb volleyed pass into the path of Barazite but the Dutchman couldn’t get his shot away, whilst Stoke’s midfield menace Diego Arismendi became the latest player in a black shirt to clatter Eastmond.
The referee’s half-time whistle came rather as a relief than a hindrance, but Deacon’s presence was certainly felt in front of a certain Frenchman.
Arsenal made a double change at the break. Sanchez Watt and Mark Randall went off and were replaced by Luke Freeman and Ozyakup, the latter making his reserve debut.
The changes signalled some positional alterations for Banfield’s side; Freeman went to the left of the three man attack behind Murphy, with Deacon shifting into the centre and Barazite going to the right.
The Gunners accustomed quickly into their new roles and opened the scoring just five minutes into the new period. Eastmond, who was impressive throughout, slipped the ball through to Murphy who launched a clinical shot at goal. Dave Parton fumbled and, in doing so, helped the ball into the net for Arsenal’s eighth goal of the season.
Scoring breeds confidence and Murphy had an opportunity to double his tally soon after, but skewed wide following a delicious pass from Ozyakup, who was making quite an impact. Gilbert then hit a rushed shot well over.
It was a pity Deacon hobbled off with an injury because he may well have played himself into Carling Cup contention with his blistering start to the season, which continued tonight.
There were a few other incidents; Freeman should have done better after good link up play involving Eastmond and Barazite, whilst Szczesny claimed Tom Soares’ free-kick with ease as Stoke piled on the pressure late on with numerous long throws.
Freeman came close after lifting the ball over Shotton and Barazite hit it over before the referee blew his whistle.
Ultimately, though, it was not a free-flowing game and certainly not one which will live long in the memory. With Stoke involved, however, that was to be expected but the bare facts of this embryonic season make impressive reading. Three games, three wins, eight goals scored, none conceded. What makes it even more impressive is that only two players have played every minute so far; Kyle Bartley and Kerrea Gilbert. The latters experience aids the former, who is growing into quite a prospect. The pair could continue their partnership on the right side of the defence at Emirates next week against West Brom.
The reserves don’t play again until next month, when Chelsea visit Underhill. The Carling Cup will now take centre stage and, who knows, somebody may well have played themselves into the squad this evening.
Szczęsny ( 6)
Gilbert (6)-Bartley (7)-Senderos(6)-Miquel(6)
Randall (5)-Eastmond (7)
Deacon(7)-Watt(7)-Barazite(6)
Murphy (7)
subs: Freeman (for Watt, 46, (6) ), Özyakup (for Randall, 46, (7) ) , Evina (for Deacon, 66, (6), Boateng, Shea.
No coquelin???
It would make it alot easier if you also said the score??
Nice and quick. Are Sunu & Coq still with France team or just being rested? Has Fran Merida gone to the U20 Spain squad and when will Murphy, Bartley & Hoyte go?
1/0 for arsenal. Coquelin is away with France U19.
Very good game for Roarie Deacon, Wenger was probably impressed. I was impressed with Ozyakup too, very classy.
I have said it before that even though Deacon doesnt get hyped like some of the other players, he is extremely talented.
Alex, only hoyte is in the final 21 man squad for the u20WC so murphy and bartley will be staying.
Good performance on the whole from the boys. Roarie again showed his qualities and was impressed with bartley again. Good to see he was in constant communication with his teammates. Ozyakup is always easy on the eye with his passing style and with more games at this level will only improve.
WTF? Did Wenger withdraw them from the squad?? They deserve to be in the squad. Only 1 our of our players in the squad now. City have six!
Annoyingly fran merida won’t be involved in the carling cup, he was someone I was looking forward to seeing more of next week. At least wilshere wasn’t called up for England.
Banfield said pre-match that Ayling has back injury, Cruise has shin injury & Frimpong just back in training.
I knew Ozyakup would impress at this level. True class knows no boundaries.
According to Neil Banfield, he was asked by Pat Rice at half-time to withdraw Sanchez Watt and Mark Randall. Stuart Robson thinks its cos they’ll be travelling to Belgium with the rest of the first team squad. Interesting.
Bartley, Senderos, Deacon and Ozyakup all impressed.
Watt, Gilbert, Murphy, Barazite, Sczcesny, Eastmond did alright.
Randall, Miquel, Freeman and Evina were the least impressive.
Miquel is a CB playing at LB and it shows.
Freeman has a lot of potential but isn’t ready for this level yet IMO. Seems like he doesn’t quite know what to do with the ball.
Evina’s participation in this game just reminded me of how Eboue is sometimes deployed in the first team. He’s a LB but was played out of position on the right side of the front three. No wonder the last 15-20 mins were so drab.
Randall is someone i really worry about. He’s experienced at this level but doesn’t show it at all. Seems like he just isn’t interested sometimes. Isn’t consistent in his play and sometimes has me asking myself wtf was he just thinking with that.
How does Deacon not have a pro-contract? Goodness me.
Murphy looked great, as did Ozyakup when he came on. Got high hopes for those two.
Mark Randall has failed to impress on every occassion I have watched him, be it at first team, reserves, or youth level.
TJ Da Goon – Answer me this. How does Randall deserve to travel to Belgium after his recent reserve performances, if you are correct in that he will be involved on Wednesday night?
He clearly is a talented lad but needs to show it more consistently at reserve level to earn his chances. It seems he makes the first team bench when there are injuries/suspensions based on his reputation, when it fact others may deserve it more!
Btw who is Stuart Robson?
@ Davo, you dont see MR in training everyday or do you? I think i would rather follow AW’s opinion who has been doing it for 26 years rather than yours.
Stewart Robson is a former player from the 1980′s (fantastic player as well who never reached his full potential, due to injury). I believe he now works for AFC TV.
Yeah, Stuart Robson co-commentated the game.
Supergunner is correct but this is one thing about AW that annoys the fuck out of me. He gives players too many chances when they keep turning in indifferent performances.
He also likes to play people out of position and this works to the detriment of the team and overall performance. For example, instead of Diaby on the left wing on Saturday he should have played Eduardo. Has Diaby ever impressed while playing as a left winger?
AW has seniority issues too. For example, if it came down to playing JW or Ramsey on the right of midfield in a PL game, he will almost always pick Ramsey even though that’s not his position.
Classic example – Arshavin gets injured against Man Utd, he has Wilshere, who’s a natural winger, on the bench but chooses to stick Ramsey on there where he’ll hardly do anything of note.
If Eboue only played RB
Diaby, Denilson, Ramsey and Song played only as CM’s
NB52 played only as a ST and RVP played anywhere but, (obviously i mean RW or LW, but preferably RW)….
….then i can really guarantee you we will get better results/performances than we have got in the past few years.
Arsene doesn’t know……i do.
perfect blog mate. i use your match analysis to in my blog. http://www.arsenalturkiye.blogspot.com
because i cant watch reserves or youth team match. i hope you do not mind. but i can watch youth or reserves games on tvants last year. do you know any streams for this matches?
Kyle Bartley is outstanding!
Good work out for the lads against a hard working team containing some old pros.
Very impressed with Eastmond again. A few careless passes but his overall awareness, strength (he was badly taken out twice) & energy in that position is most encouraging.
Probably not star material but he has the makings of the solid engine room player that we need. If he keeps this up he could be knocking on the door next season.
First time I have seen Özyakup. I thought he was Cesc for a while. I was also particularly impressed with Deacon & Gilbert.
WHere is emmanuel Frimpong? is he still playing. I have not heard from him ina long while
Supergunner07 – I don’t give a toss how good Randall is in training everyday, if he doesn’t put in a peformance in reserve games and show commitment then he doesn’t derserve to be selected for the first team, simple as.
I’m not slating the lad, he’s clearly a talented and promising player, all I’m saying is he has to put 100% into every reserve game to earn his chance. I’m fed up of him getting first team bench oppurtunities and carling cup chances with his bad attitude. That said he was one of our best players in last years Carling Cup run, I just want to see more maturity from him. He’s one of the senior reserves playes FFS, he needs to start showing it.
Fantastic comment.
i really hope the likes of Coquelin Bartley and Watt get a start in the carling cup. It has always been a chance to promote our young players like Gibbs Wilshere etc..
Coquelin i think has been fantastic over the last year and is probably our best young midfielder.
Bartley has gone from strength to strength since he arrived and has started to look like an incredible talent. He really reminds me of a young Rio Ferdinand.
Watt is obviously a huge prospect as Wenger has involved him already this year and doesnt get to many wrong.
I have never seen a young player like Ozkaykup he is very impressive, he must play for the reserves.