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An Arsenal XI was beaten comfortably by their Norwich City counterparts this evening, despite goals from Emmanuel Frimpong and Amaury Bischoff either side of the break. A hat-trick from Luke Daley and a tap in from Chris Renton meant it was City who went away with the bragging rights.

Craig Eastmond and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas made their first second-string starts of the new campaign, as Banfield was forced into rotating due to injuries and international duty.

Mannone
Eastmond - Bartley - Ayling - Gibbs
Wilshere - Coquelin - Frimpong - Thomas
Bischoff
Simpson

An uninspiring first half saw neither side really on top, but after a clumsy foul on the edge of the box, a dangerous looking free-kick presented Emmanuel Frimpong with the chance to put his side in front. He stepped up confidently, and after seeing his shot take a deflection off one of the hosts in the wall, the ball found it’s way beyond Nelson to hand the Gunners the advantage.

The tricky Bischoff had a further chance moments later to make it 2-0, as Norwich were rocking. But as conditions went from bad to worse, City found their flow. Dawkin’s powerful drive was a signal of intent, before Mannone was finally breached. Daley got away from Kyle Bartley, before the Italian managed to get a firm hand onto the resulting shot. However, he couldn’t hold it, and after spilling the ball off the post, Daley tapped in for the equaliser.

With the break approaching, Norwich completed the come back. Adeymi was well denied again by Mannone, yet the defence didn’t react quick enough, and Chris Renton was on hand to put his side 2-1 up.

A Daley double either side of the restart meant he would be going home with the match ball, before Banfield turned to reinforcements. The lazy Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was hauled off, Gilles Sunu was introduced to inject some deadly pace.

Kieran Gibbs with a long range stunner hit the side netting, Simpson fired two shots wide, and Jack Wilshere - who looked quite uninterested - was also denied after a jinking run through the Canaries backline.

There was just enough time for some magic, provided via Bischoff. The 21-year-old matched his effort against Fulham, with a stunning consolation. After collecting possession on the edge of the box, the Frenchman unleashed a dipping left foot volley which flew into the corner.

It finished 4-2, with Banfield knowing he has a lot of work to do ahead of the Portsmouth fixture in December.

Article By - J.Sanderson

Neil Banfield will take a youthful Arsenal XI to Carrow Road this evening to face their Norwich City counterparts in a tasting looking friendly.

The Gunners have only played one Reserve League South game this month, and after December’s clash with Tottenham was put back until February, the second-string are short of fixtures. The Carling Cup has offered some opportunity to the fledgling young talents to get minutes under their belts, yet for the few who were either on the bench or were not involved, they are left a little rusty.

The Canaries know all about a lack of games, indeed they pulled out of their Reserves League equivalent after relegation from the Premiership meant they just face outfits such as Aldershot - hardly ideal competition for such a fruitful Academy.

Two of Arsenal’s biggest problems in recent years strike the Reserves, with injuries and International duty taking hold. Gavin Hoyte, Henri Lansbury and Rhys Murphy are in action for England Under 19’s tonight, whilst Fran Mérida and Rui Fonte go head-to-head at Under 21 level.

Amaury Bischoff is set to make his fourth start in Red & White, playing just behind the rejuvenated Jay Simpson. Vito Mannone, Paul Rodgers and Gilles Sunu should also get the 90 minutes, although the management of both teams are sure to rotate.

Predicted Starting XI

Mannone
Ayling - Rodgers - Cruise - Gibbs
Wilshere - Coquelin - Randall - Sunu
Bischoff
Simpson

Kick Off at Carrow Road is at 7pm, with fans able to get a glimpse of both teams live. Arsenal TV nor Norwich City TV will be showing the encounter, meaning the best way to keep up with the action is get down to Norfolk.

Article By - J.Sanderson

Arsenal’s hunt for the brightest prospects in world football has frequently taken the Gunners to Spanish shores, with the likes of Cesc Fàbregas, Fran Mérida and Ignasi Miquel-Pons all swapping the España sun for a life in North London.

And, If reports in the sections of the European media are to be believed, Atlético de Madrid’s Jorge Resurrección Merodio - known simply as “Koke” - could be the next Spanish import to join Arsenal. The rugged box-to-box central midfielder currently skippers his country at Under 17 level, and is close friends with our latest acquisition, Miquel-Pons.

Trusted scout Francis Caggio is said to have personally watched Koke during Atlético’s ‘B’ team fixture with Real Madrid on Saturday. The encounter finished 1-1, with Resurrección putting in another promising display to help his team claim the credible draw.

Should a deal materialise, the 16-year-old would be deployed in Steve Bould’s Under 18 team, whilst he hones his flourishing trade. At 176cm he is not an imposing figure, yet Koke’s tenacious and high energy displays mirror that of former midfielder Mathieu Flamini.

At a time when most Gooners are keen for more experienced arrivals to be high on the agenda, Wenger will continue with his youth policy which served the likes of Fàbregas, and more recently Mérida, so well.

Article By - J.Sanderson

During Arsenal’s incredible journey in this years Carling Cup, it’s been the same set of names who have taken the most credit for the team’s success and achievements, in every round. Strikers Carlos Vela, Nicklas Bendtner and Jay Simpson have hit the headlines, along with midfield duo Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.

Yet one man, or should I say boy, has been quietly but effectively keeping the Gunners midfield ticking over as well as adding vital width when needed. His name? Fran Mérida Perez. After joining Arsenal via Barcelona - like Cesc Fàbregas - and occupying a similar position to that of the iconic number 4, it’s no wonder comparisons have been made between the two.

Analysing from the touchlines in training and during games, Arsene Wenger believes it’s a mistake to say the Catalan pair are identical players.

“Merida is different to Cesc [Fàbregas], but he is still very dangerous in the final third. If you analyse a game and look who gives the ball every time in the final third, you will see Fran.”

The high praise continues for the exciting youngster, who came out of his shell against Wigan and was prepared to share the burden with Mark Randall of getting “stuck in” to the Latics. This complemented his usual expert passing range, and it’s doing the difficult things like playing those killer balls which Wenger highlights.

“That’s is the most difficult part of the game and that is where Fran is strong.”

He’s going quietly about his business in the Arsenal midfield, but there is no doubt that the 18-year-old will be a key component in any Carling Cup success.

Article By - J.Sanderson

Eduardo da Silva will complete the final stage of his rehabilitation from a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle sustained against Birmingham City with Arsenal’s Reserve team.

The 25-year-old front man re-joined the first team for training last Wednesday, although he is yet to take full contact challenges from his team mates. Coach Boro Primorac is liaising with physio Neal Reynolds, Doctor Ian Beasley and fitness coach Tony Colbert to organise the training needed to ready the Croat for a match situation.

That return will definitely be for Neil Banfield’s Reserves, with the home game against Tottenham being penciled in. Whilst that’s the earliest possible date, it seems more likely that the visit of Portsmouth at Underhill on the 16 of December will be his first taste of football since suffering the terrible injuries.

All being well, Banfield could arrange “behind closed doors” fixtures - like he did for trialist Miniero - to speed up his return to first team action. The news will come as a welcome relief to Arsene Wenger, after seeing his team lose 2-0 to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Yet it will also give the second-string forwards Rui Fonte, Jay Simpson and Rhys Murphy a chance to work with one of the coolest finishers around, thus meaning the arrangement will suit both parties.

Article By - J.Sanderson

Arsenal defender Abu Ogogo admits his loan move to League Two side Barnet is all about seizing the opportunity to gain regular first team football, as the versatile prospect makes the short switch across North London for the next month.

Ogogo, who will wear the number 26 shirt for The Bees, is expected to start against Notts County on Saturday just 48 hours after sealing the transfer. The move all came about after an injury to regular defender Joe Devera, and Abu is keen to take full advantage of the move.

”Youth director Liam Brady suggested that a taste of first team football with a league side would be good for me.”

It’s been a crazy few months for the 19-year-old. He appeared to be on his way out of the club after a failed trail with Nottingham Forest, but an outstanding performance at left back for the Reserves two weeks ago saw him named on the substitutes bench for the Carling Cup fixture against Wigan.

He was also highlighted by Arsene Wenger as one with a bright future, and the loan spell looks set to mature his blossoming talent. Indeed, Ogogo is no stranger to his new home, as Arsenal’s Reserves share Underhill for their home games, something which was picked out by the tenacious prospect.

“I have played many times at the ground with Arsenal reserves and love the atmosphere of the place.”

Young Guns will keep you updated with Abu’s progress during his loan spell, as we do with all the other loanees.

Article By - J.Sanderson

After disposing of Sheffield United in round three, Arsenal’s young Gunners returned to action this evening looking to book themselves a place in the 5th with a victory over an in form Wigan side.

Once more Arsene Wenger kept faith with the kids, and made just one change from the first leg. Nicklas Bendtner, who bagged a brace last time out, has been on first team duty, so Jay Simpson was handed a start alongside hat-trick hero Carlos Vela.

Amaury Bischoff and Rui Fonte made the bench for the first time in their Arsenal careers, Henri Lansbury as also included for the tasty encounter at a packed Emirates.

Fabianski (c)
Hoyte - Song - Djourou - Gibbs
Wilshere - Randall - Ramsey - Merida
Simpson - Vela

Subs - Mannone - Ogogo - Frimpong - Coquelin - Lansbury - Bischoff - Fonte

Continue reading ‘Arsenal 3-0 Wigan - Carling Cup - Match Report’