One of the key factors behind Arsenal reserves’ disappointing defeat to Portsmouth on Monday evening was the lack of a real playmaker in Neil Banfield’s side.
In the absence of the likes of Nacer Barazite and Fran Merida, Banfield found himself with four central-midfielders vying for two positions. Perhaps he didn’t want to break up the hitherto effective partnership of Francis Coquelin and Craig Eastmond in the holding roles, but, whatever his thinking, it meant that Emmanuel Frimpong was shunted out to the right-flank, a position he abhors but will play in just to be in the team, whilst Mark Randall played just behind lone striker Sanchez Watt.
Frimpong was full of running and endeavour but, on more occasions than most, he found himself running into blind alleys. His strength is breaking up play and, when he is not in the centre of the park, his qualities are wasted. Coquelin and Eastmond looked lethargic, the latter in particular, but understandably so given his tremendous performance against Liverpool in the Carling Cup a week earlier.
Randall struggled to exert himself on the game and his languid, laid back style has drawn him much criticism from fans who bemoan his inability to do something effective with the ball at crucial moments. He too is more suited to a holding role but, such is the situation, somebody has to draw the short straw.
How could this be countered in time for the trip to face West Ham next week? Well, seeing as Barazite has been ruled out until the New Year and Merida is currently required for first-team duty, Banfield will have to work with the somewhat limited resources currently at his disposal. One option would be to put Watt or Roarie Deacon on the right flank with Rhys Murphy up front, though the England Youth internationals performances in the past few games hardly warrant him a starting place.
It is difficult for Banfield to get the blend correct at present but playing in an unfamiliar position is all part of the learning process and will stand the youngsters in good stead should they eventually progress to the first team.
