Arsenal XI V Norwich City XI – Friendly – Match Preview
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
Why isn’t Wilshere playing in the U19? He surely could slot in, couldn’t he?
Progman07 said this on November 18, 2008 at 5:25 pm
@Progman – Whilst I have no doubt he could even at u21 level, I certainly wouldn’t encourage it. Let him get on playing for us not worrying about England yet ;0)
RickyGee said this on November 18, 2008 at 5:31 pm
some people are saying the kick off is 7.30 I’m going tonight so worried what time to go!!can you shed some light J?
sebcesc said this on November 18, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I reckon they might stick eduardo in.
jon said this on November 18, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Jon, schtop, schtop…he’s not ready
RickyGee said this on November 18, 2008 at 5:33 pm
im heading down to carrow road, (tickets are 3.50…ideal!)
it will be the irst time ive seen the reserves but ill let you know what i thought!!
Lightning Kev said this on November 18, 2008 at 5:36 pm
do you know what time it kicks off lightning kev?
sebcesc said this on November 18, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Kick off is half seven.
Gooner Chris said this on November 18, 2008 at 5:56 pm
The Arsenal squad will feature:
Vito Mannone, Craig Eastmond, Kieran Gibbs, Francis Coquelin, Kyle Bartley, Luke Ayling, Jack Wilshere, Emmanuel Frimpong, Jay Simpson, Amaury Bischoff, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
Gooner Chris said this on November 18, 2008 at 5:59 pm
kick off (as gooner chris said) is 7.30 apparently barclays stand is expected to be full but the jarold stand is where to apparently!
come on young gunners!!!:)
Lightning Kev said this on November 18, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Wilshere will probably be in the under 21’s after his birthday, I think there is some wierd law saying he cant till he’s 17 or whatever.
erin said this on November 18, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Terrible attitude, i wouldnt be suprised if he failed to make with that level of unprofessionalism
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4909701&view=album&id=571300077&ref=nf#/photo.php?pid=4909701&view=album&id=571300077&ref=nf
Login if you have facebook account, it concerns Luke Freeman.
supergunner07 said this on November 18, 2008 at 6:40 pm
and whats luke apparantly doing wrong??
philiip said this on November 18, 2008 at 7:27 pm
holding a can of beer, and appearing out of his face..
shouldn’t really be doing that if he’s trying to make it in the professional game, and people would die to be in his situation, pity he’s doing stuff like this
deepak said this on November 18, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Hes got a can of fosters for a persons 17th bday , hes still a kid relax let him have fun , one drink wont kill , he just needs to make sure it dont become a habit
Emirates_General said this on November 18, 2008 at 7:39 pm
whoes got the drink in there hand i havent got face book so can u let me know wht the picture is about
nazir said this on November 18, 2008 at 7:47 pm
sanderson
i would like to ask how much do rate mark randal and do u think he will make it at arsenal
also same question about fran merida
thx
nazir said this on November 18, 2008 at 7:48 pm
nazir here is Wenger’s comment on english players.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-carling-cup-kids-could-be-regulars
supergunner07 said this on November 18, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Rui Fonte just scored Portugal U21s from mix-up in spain’s defence & Merida is also playing well.
supergunner07 said this on November 18, 2008 at 8:14 pm
RUI FONTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YESSSSSSSSSSS
erin said this on November 18, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Some people need to stop stalking the Arsenal youth players on Myspace and Facebook and reporting there every fault because it is a bit sad.
kent paul said this on November 18, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Yeah…but a 16 year old already drinking is not good…especially if he aspires to be a professional footballer at Arsenal. Why can’t they all have the Dennis Bergkamp attitude?
Jay said this on November 18, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Rui and Fan are both 18 and are playing for the U21s………nice.
Jay said this on November 18, 2008 at 8:30 pm
awesome that rui has been called up for under 21’s he is defo going to be class. And how good is anton blackwood i have heard he is lightning quick with a good footballing brain, and how much did we pay for him if anything
randall86 said this on November 18, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Arsenal board need to offer Rui Fonte a professional contract. He could be the one that got away if he ends up going back to Sporting.
Jay said this on November 18, 2008 at 8:35 pm
anyone have the score
Mark C said this on November 18, 2008 at 8:35 pm
http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/11/13/Premier-League-Fonte-on-Arsenal-chances/?facets/sport-space/football/great-britain-locale/Arsenal/Barclays-Premier-League/
They have claimed that Fonte is a full Arsenal-player
But I have heard that there is an option in his contract that Arsenal can buy him if they want.
athlon said this on November 18, 2008 at 8:43 pm
where people watching spain portugal u21??
A said this on November 18, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Good news about Rui Fonte scoring for Portugal. He is a good goal scorer – has a powerful shot and is not bad as a goal poacher. I’ve always been impressed when I’ve seen him play for the reserves.
Passenal said this on November 18, 2008 at 8:44 pm
anyone have the arsenal reserve score/ update?
Mark C said this on November 18, 2008 at 8:46 pm
walcott out now with a dislocated shoulder.
Mark C said this on November 18, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Which jersey will weared by Fonte?
athlon said this on November 18, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I think we should manage the shoulder until end of season then surgery to miss U21 championsip bcuz i dont want him to get burnout.
supergunner07 said this on November 18, 2008 at 9:01 pm
he doesnt look off his face to me, it would seem your the one with the bad attitude, any chance to critise. hes only 16 anyways his playing days wont be decided by wether he has the odd beer on a special occasion more about hard work on the training pitch.
ali said this on November 18, 2008 at 9:17 pm
The norwich match should have finished , anyone know the score
Emirates_General said this on November 18, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Finished Norwich 4-2 Arsenal, Frimpong and Bischoff either side of all the Norwich goals.
Dan said this on November 18, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Hmmm, interesting result.
Surprised the Arsenal didn’t turn over Norwich, glad to see Bischoff on the scoresheet again.
Gooner Chris said this on November 18, 2008 at 9:37 pm
http://www.canaries.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Reserves/0,,10355~1458790,00.html
Gooner Chris said this on November 18, 2008 at 9:39 pm
this is shocking
Emirates_General said this on November 18, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Lansbury scored the only goal for England u19s against Germany. Lansbury was also the skipper of the team.
SweGoo said this on November 18, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Lansbury and Fonte both on the scoresheet for their respective countries.
Gooner Chris said this on November 18, 2008 at 9:53 pm
So who played well? Disappointed to see Ayling go off cos I think he is one of Arsenal’s brightest defenders but maybe it was because of the score.
The Gaffer said this on November 18, 2008 at 9:53 pm
From reading the report, it seems Wilshere, Gibbs, Frimpong and Bischoff played quite well.
Jay Simpson was off form, as JS said the other day, he either has amazing games or completely terrible ones.
Gooner Chris said this on November 18, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Feel so sorry for Theo, he really doesnt need this injury, disrupting his development. Also hope this not long term issue bcuz he has now done both shoulders.
supergunner07 said this on November 18, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Saw the reserve game. In my view the gooners No 5 and no 4 had poor games. What has no 11 done that only Gibbs will pass him the ball ! Arsenal looked like they thought they just needed to turn up to win and were beaten by the better side on the night.
Shanklinv said this on November 18, 2008 at 11:52 pm