Reserves- Arsenal lack spark as Portsmouth come away with the points

Arsenal reserves lost their unbeaten record with a dissapointing 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth at Underhill this evening. The Gunners succumbed to a goal in each half, with Tomas Kilbey and Eugene Bopp hitting the decisive strikes. It was a harsh reminders to Arsenal’s youngsters, particularly those who featured in the Carling Cup success over Liverpool five days ago, that they are not quite there yet.

Neil Banfield made three changes from the 2-2 draw with Wolves; Wojciech Szczesny replaced Lukasz Fabianski in goal whilst Ignasi Miquel and Emmanuel Frimpong came in for Luke Ayling and Samir Nasri.

Szczesny

Gilbert-Bartley-Miquel-Evina

Coquelin-Eastmond

Frimpong-Randall-Sunu

Watt

subs: Murphy, Henderson, Deacon, Freeman, Yennaris.

The game started slowly, with Arsenal struggling to get their passing game going and the visitors doing their utmost to stifle them as much as possible. Chances were few and far between in the opening exchanges, but it was Portsmouth who had the first glimpse of goal with Apercini forcing a routine save from Szczesny.

Arsenal took almost 17 minutes to create a notable scoring chance. Frimpong’s diagonal found Sunu who couldn’t set himself properly and dragged his shot wide of Niemi’s far post.

The Gunners were to pay for their profilgacy, with Portsmouth opening the scoring less than a minute later. Eugene Bopp, formerly of Bayern Munich, whipped in a free-kick and Tom Kilbey rose highest despite the attempts of Coquelin and headed past Szczesny to open the scoring.

Banfield was distraught at his side’s inability in the air, but Arsenal attempted to respond with a free-kick of their own. However, Mark Randall’s effort sailed comfortably into the arms of Niemi.

Pompey made it difficult for the Gunners, who were evidently lacking their usual flair and trickery, without a player of the calibre of Fran Merida or Nacer Barazite. Frimpong, however, seemed a useful outlet on the right-flank and terrorised Lenny Sowah with some bombarding runs.

The lack of attacking opportunities was beginning to grate and there were groans when Evina hit a wayward effort over from distance. Arsenal were lucky not to fall further behind when Bartley brought down Prince Cowan-Hall in the area. Thankfully the latter was offside and that was the end of the matter, but Bartley could consider himself fortunate for it was a reckless challenge.

Arsenal did eventually begin to click into gear and enjoyed a spell of sustained possession, but Portsmouth pressurised them and all that culminated from it was a frustratingly poor cross from Evina.

The Gunners enjoyed a lot more possession in the second period but failed to carve out sufficient attacking opportunities.

In what was, at that point, a rare opening, Watt slid through Sunu who should have done better with the finish. Gilbert then hit a wicked centre but Frimpong couldn’t connect. Chances were now coming thick and fast, with Gilbert delivering another cross that just eluded Watt and Randall.

Arsenal made a double change with 20 minutes remaining, with Roarie Deacon and Rhys Murphy replacing Frimpong and Eastmond.Deacon looked lively on the right flank but found it difficult to produce anything significant.

Then, in an instant, Arsenal’s hopes were shot down The referee played advantage after a foul against Randall and Cowan-Hall outstripped Miquel before drilling a shot at Szczesny. It fell to Bopp who drilled it home with consummate ease to seemingly put the game beyond doubt.

Arsenal attempted to respond, but were restricted to long range efforts, with Randall drilling one wide. Coquelin headed wide from a corner at the near post and Bartley had an effort cleared. Freeman, on for Watt, then wriggled into space but launched his effort over.

Ultimately, it was a frustrating night for Banfield. His side didn’t lack endeavour, but they seemed extremely sluggish and didn’t call Niemi into action anywhere near enough times. There’s a chance for instant reprieval, away to West Ham next week, and, if anything, Banfield will be hoping that he has somebody of the calibre of Merida, or someone of a similar ilk, to call upon and make a real impact going forward.

Player ratings:

Wojciech Szczesny-6

Kerrea Gilbert-6

Kyle Bartley-6

Ignasi Miquel-5

Cédric Evina-5

Francis Coquelin-6

Craig Eastmond-6

Emmanuel Frimpong-6

Mark Randall-5

Gilles Sunu-6

Sanchez Watt-5

Subs:

Roarie Deacon-6

Rhys Murphy-5

Luke Freeman-5

Nico Yennaris-

Conor Henderson-

Att: 682

Reserves back down to earth at Underhill as Portsmouth visit

Arsenal reserves will go top of the table should they defeat their Portsmouth counterparts at Underhill tonight, but for some of the youngsters on show, it will be a case of plummeting back down to earth.

Craig Eastmond was impressive on his first-team debut against Liverpool in the Carling Cup at Emirates Stadium last Wedensday, and it will be interesting to see if he can continue his splendid form in this much less glamourous encounter. Nine of tonight’s starting XI have been in the squad for the competition and tonight is an early chance for them to stake a claim to be included against Manchester City in the Quarter-final tie at Eastlands in a month’s time.

After winning their first four games of the season without conceding a goal, the Gunners drew 2-2 away to Wolves last time out in an entertaining game which saw Lukasz Fabianski and Samir Nasri make their comebacks from injury. The defence will be looking to keep a clean sheet tonight as Kyle Bartley and Luke Ayling attempt to re-kindle their ever so impressive partnership from last season which was a major factor in the Gunners winning the FA Youth Cup. Another partnership from last season, that of Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong in central-midfield, is also set to be re-invigorated this evening, and the bulky England youth international is one of three changes that Neil Banfield has made to his side. The others see Wojciech Szczesny replace Fabianski between the sticks and Ignasi Miquel come in for Luke Ayling at centre-back.

With Coquelin and Frimpong at the hub, Eastmond is likely to be shifted out to the right with Mark Randall moving into the middle to play off lone striker Sanchez Watt, who enjoyed a lively cameo against Rafael Benitez’s side. There is an interesting inclusion on the bench, with first-year scholar Nico Yennaris called up to the squad for the first time, although there is no substitute ‘keeper with both James Shea and Sean McDermott still sidelined.

Portsmouth’s side is mostly a young one, except for the vast experience of Antti Niemi in goal. They also include Lenny Sowah, who was on Arsenal’s books for a short time.

This fixture is usually memorable, whether it be Denilson’s debut in 2006, Sanchez Watt’s first goal at this level a year later or Eduardo’s comeback last season.

There is growing belief that Arsenal can win the Reserve League South this season but, in order to do so, they will have to take maximum points from fixtures such as this. Beating Niemi may prove difficult, but a good, commited performance will be sure to please Banfield as much as a win itself.

Szczesny

Gilbert-Bartley-Miquel-Evina

Coquelin-Frimpong

Eastmond-Randall-Sunu

Watt

subs: Murphy, Henderson, Deacon, Freeman, Yennaris.