2007-2008 Arsenal Reserves thread [R]

[alain_9510]

Friendly: Bishops Stortford 1-1 Arsenal XI (http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?article=479585&lid=NewsHeadline&sub=Friendly:+Bishops+Stortford+1-1+Arsenal+XI&sublid=NewsHeadline&Title=Friendly:+Bishops+Stortford+1-1+Arsenal+XI&f=rss)

A Jack Wilshere goal four minutes from time salvaged a deserved draw for Neil Banfield’s Arsenal XI against Bishops Stortford on Friday.
The reserve-team coach took a youthful squad to face the Conference South side managed by former Gunner Martin Hayes.
In an even encounter, Arsenal had marginally the best of the opening period, with Spaniard Fran Merida particularly impressive.
On 21 minutes the midfielder’s floated free-kick from the right was well claimed by home keeper Andrew Young. Merida then made space for himself with a deft flick but his shot was touched away by Young.
The Spaniard had a fine chance to open the scoring on 68 minute when Rui Fonte's clever pass found him in space, but with just the keeper to beat, he floated his shot wide of the left post.
With nine minutes to go, James Dunne was unfortunate to hit the post and within 60 seconds Arsenal were behind. Greg Pearson beat Wojciech Szczesny to a cross from the right and poked beyond the reach of the Polish keeper.
Stortford's lead lasted just four minutes though as Wilshere latched on to Luke Ayling’s pass to give Banfield’s side a share of the spoils.


See an Arsenal XI in action - Tonight (http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=479439&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=See+an+Arsenal+XI+in+action+-+Tonight)

PLEASE NOTE: Kick off is now 7.30pm.
Neil Banfield will be taking an Arsenal XI to Beveree Lane to face Hampton and Richmond Borough on Tuesday.
The team is likely to be made up of many of the players who will feature in the Reserves and Under-18s this season.
Banfield's charges get their Reserve Premier League South campaign underway with a trip to Fulham on Tuesday, August 28
Entry for tonight's game is £8 for adults and £5 for OAPs and Under-16s.

[alain_9510]

Friendly: Hampton and Richmond Borough 0-4 Arsenal XI (http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?article=479572&lid=NewsHeadline&sub=Hampton+&+Richmond+Borough+0-4+Arsenal+XI&sublid=NewsHeadline&Title=Hampton+&+Richmond+Borough+0-4+Arsenal+XI&f=rss)

By Adam Clark
A dazzling performance from Nacer Barazite inspired an Arsenal XI to win at a canter against Hampton and Richmond Borough on Tuesday.
The midfielder produced two stunning goals and set up another as Neil Banfield’s side carved open their non-league opponents at will.
Striker Jay Simpson began the rout just nine minutes in before the Dutchman’s double either side of the break. Substitute Henri Lansbury then benefited from Barazite’s brilliance to complete the scoring on a night which bodes well for the forthcoming Reserve League South campaign.
The hosts had made the early running and threatened within 60 seconds when Elliot Frost forced Vito Mannone to save low to his left.
The young Gunners soon found their stride though. Simpson received the ball in a crowded box, shimmied to his right and instinctively drove the ball past Borough’s Matt Lovett to give his side the lead.
On 18 minutes, Mark Randall, fresh from his stint training with the first team in Austria, saw his firmly-struck effort zip wide of the upright.
Four minutes later a rare Borough attack broke down, allowing Havard Nordtveit, assured on only his third outing on English soil, to play a rasping ball out to Fran Merida on the left. The Spaniard in turn found Barazite who cut inside before arrowing a low shot past Lovett from the edge of the box.
The closest Borough came to beating Mannone was an Alan Inns header on 53 minutes which bounced up and onto the crossbar. The 19-year-old keeper was replaced by Wojciech Szczesny soon after but the Polish youngster was given an equally trouble-free evening.
Barazite got his second on 67 minutes after receiving a pass from Jay Thomas and planting another unstoppable shot past Lovett, again from 18 yards.
Portuguese striker Rui Fonte then miscued his chance to add to the scoreline but when Barazite selflessly passed up the chance of a hat-trick three minutes from time, Lansbury was on hand to slot home from close range.


Youth Cup will be 'great experience' (http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?article=479688&lid=NewsHeadline&sub=Youth+Cup+will+be+'great+experience'&sublid=NewsHeadline&Title=Youth+Cup+will+be+'great+experience'&f=rss)

By Chris Harris

Liam Brady believes the Champions Youth Cup will be a "great experience" for Arsenal's youngsters.

The inaugural Under-20 tournament begins in Malaysia next Wednesday and the young Gunners are set to rub shoulders with the finest youth talent in the world. Brady expects the Arsenal players to learn some valuable lessons before they return home.

"For the young players it's a great experience for them to see another culture and be up against some of the best players in Europe," he told Arsenal.com before flying out to the Far East.

"They will have to travel a great deal if they become internationals one day and this is the benchmark. They will be able to measure themselves against the best in the world and it will be a big test for them.

"We have tried to get the boys experience of playing against different nations with different styles of football. We got to the final of a tournament in Holland last year when a Brazilian side beat us, so we know what to expect.

"It looks like being a super tournament. There are all the top teams from Europe, a couple from South America and some local sides. We'll be up against it with the age of our team because in my experience the other clubs will bring Under-20 players."

Chelsea and Manchester United are the UK's other representatives at the Champions Youth Cup while Milan, Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Porto, Internazionale, Juventus, Paris St Germain and PSV Eindhoven complete a strong European contingent.

Boca Juniors and Flamengo will travel from South America and youth sides from Malaysia and Qatar complete the line-up.

Arsenal will play Ajax, Milan and Flamengo in the group stage, giving them a chance to compete against three distinct styles of play. Brady expects the tournament to be hugely beneficial but he is not expecting to bring back the trophy.

"It's an Under-20 tournament but we're very young in as much as we don't have that many boys who are in the Under-20 category," he said. "Nicklas Bendtner is in that age group but he's obviously been with the first team in Austria.

"Kerrea Gilbert is eligible but he has gone out on loan. Matt Connolly is on loan at Colchester too so we'll have a young side at the tournament. Our most experienced player is Jay Simpson, he's an Under-19 in English terms. Vincent van den Berg is in the squad too.

"Unfortunately some of our best young players are not going to be there because the three England boys - Henri Lansbury, Gavin Hoyte, Rhys Murphy - are in South Korea for the Under-17 Championship. Fran Merida is in the same competition with Spain as well."

Developing Arsenal's youngsters for the first team is the major priority for Brady and his staff. In that respect the Champions Youth Cup will be a step in the right direction. Brady only has one concern - the Asian climate.

"The only thing I am worried about is the heat," he said. "Most of the youngsters will have to play in very hot conditions for the first time. We've been to Hong Kong on a few occasions and it's difficult to play in that heat. But that is the only downside."

[RealMadGunner]

Havard Nordtveit Named New Reserves Captain (http://arsenalreserves.wordpress.com/2007/08/31/havard-nordtveit-named-new-reserves-captain/)
Havard Nordtveit Named New Reserves Skipper After Simpson Joins Millwall On Loan.

The Norway Center back signed for Arsenal this summer for £2.5 million from FK Haugesund.

The youngster has played for his hometown club Vats 94 as well as Skjold IL and most recently FK Haugesund, where he made his debut in 2006 against Sogndal and made nine league appearances for the club during 2007.

Representing Norway in both the recent UEFA Under 19 and Under 17 European Championships, the centre back started every match in the younger age group tournament as well as featuring in two matches for the Under 19s.

He Featured last night as Captain dispite Simpson playing after the Pacy striker agreed a move to London side Millwall, At Full time an emotional Simpson left the field knowing that his strike may be his last for the club , which has supported as a boy.

Arsenal.com spoke of an impressive commanding defender.

If the first half had been about the efficiency and fluidity of Arsenal’s attack, the second 45 minutes highlighted their assuredness in defence. Marshalled by the outstanding Nordveit, Arsenal’s backline proved impenetrable. The Norwegian - made captain by Banfield — refused to be flustered, exuding a calmness that spread through the team.

Havard is also skipper of the Norway under 19s and has thrived in the role.

This kid sounds like real good deal ..

[alain_9510]

Hope to see him in the Carling Cup a bit, definitely sounds good...

[alain_9510]

Nordtveit - It's an honour to be captain (http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=481000&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=Nordtveit+-+It%27s+an+honour+to+be+captain)

Havard Nordtveit (http://www.arsenal.com/player.asp?thisNav=reserves+and+youth&plid=76168&clid=4436&cpid=825) said it was "an honour" to captain Arsenal Reserves in Thursday’s Premier Reserve League South curtain raiser before making clear his intentions to keep hold of the armband.

The Norwegian defender did his chances no harm by inspiring the young Gunners to a 2-1 win over Fulham. Jay Simpson and Armand Traore may have scored the goals but it was an assured and commanding performance from the debutant skipper that provided the foundations for victory.

"It was a real honour to be captain," Nordtveit told Arsenal.com. "I got the message from Neil [Banfield] last week. I was a little bit shocked but I’ve been captain of the national team so it was OK.

"I know now I must work to keep the captaincy and hopefully I’ll continue to be captain this season, and, if I’m lucky, next season too. But we take each day as it comes and go match by match, so we’ll see.

The 17-year-old, who signed from homeland club FK Haugesund in July, admitted he is still adapting to English football. However he believes his transition into the Arsenal family is already complete, thanks largely to the humility of his new team-mates.

"I’m very pleased to have made my debut," he said. "I’m still getting used to English football though. It’s much harder, the ball goes quicker and I feel I still need to get used to the tempo.

"The group are very kind with me. When I came here they took care of me and everybody talked to me. I’m enjoying playing the Arsenal way every day and I know it’s going to be fun playing for Arsenal."

[RealMadGunner]

Arsenal have joined a 12 Club race For Prolific Under 17 World Cup Star Macauley Chrisantus (http://arsenalreserves.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/arsenal-close-in-on-macauley-chrisantus/), The 17 year old currently plays for Abuja FC (The Golden Eagles) but he yet to make his first team debut for them. dispite scoring freely for Nigeria Under 17s getting 11 goals in just 12 matches. many people have compared him to Newcastle Striker Obafemi Martins!

His agent Adam Mohammed confirmed that Liverpool, Ajax, Arsenal and Marseille are among the many clubs interested in Chrisantus.

Arsenal must now face a fight to sign him but there chances were improved when the player himself admitted he was a big fan of Arsenal and they would be his “dream” club.

EDIT: BBC link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7000947.stm) ..

[GoonerMan]

macauley chrisantus is coming for a trial in january, i can tell you.
also, my pal has a website dedicated to the reserves and youths, its a good referance point

Reserves & Acadamy News (http://arsenalreserves.wordpress.com/)

[alain_9510]

Can never have enough 17-yr olds...

[kanonier]

We just signed three kids to professional contracts for the first time...

including defender Abu Agogo! What a sweet name!

[FabregasTED]

We just signed three kids to professional contracts for the first time...

including defender Abu Agogo! What a sweet name!

Is he related to Junior Agogo? I follow Bristol Rovers quite a bit, and he was a star for us before going to Notts Forest.

[RealMadGunner]

Arsenal are facing a £2.2million bill (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=486863&in_page_id=1779)for snatching Fran Merida away from Barcelona's youth ranks after the Spanish club won a civil court ruling against the player yesterday.

[kanonier]

Arsenal are facing a £2.2million bill (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=486863&in_page_id=1779)for snatching Fran Merida away from Barcelona's youth ranks after the Spanish club won a civil court ruling against the player yesterday.

^^ technically Merida owes the money, but Arsenal is going to pay it on his behalf, as I understand.

[Sean P.]

Is he related to Junior Agogo? I follow Bristol Rovers quite a bit, and he was a star for us before going to Notts Forest.


Since his name is actually Abu Ogogo, probably not.

BTW, If anybody wants to learn more about the next Carling Cup generation, you can go here: http://www.arsenal.com/squad.asp?thisNav=Reserves+and+Youth&lid=Reserves+Coaching+Staff&clid=4436


It should be noted that some of our younger prospects are not listed yet (like 16 year-old AM Jack Wilshere who just had back-to-back hat tricks for our U18s and has been called up for the England U17s, 15 year-old DM Emmanuel Frimpong who is now an every match starter for the U18s and has been called up for the England U16s, or 14 year-old FW Benik Afobe who scored 5 goals for the U16s in the Nike Cup (leading them to the Final) and maybe the best prospect to come all the way up through our ranks since Cashly (he's been with us since U7s)

[michaec]

I watched the highlights of the reserves' game against Chelsea and it seems that they were unlucky to come out of it with only a 1-0 win. If it wasn't for an excellent goalkeeping performance by the Chelsea keeper we would have thrashed them. Hopefully a few more fo these boys will make it into the Carling Cup squad soon, but with a fairly short injury list I can see how the manager needs to give some of his non-playing first-team squad games.