Arsenal
Rusty Guns 0 Young Guns 2
Jack Wishere
By Boris Mellor
July 20 2008
This was a game of two Arsenal teams, in the first half a makeshift mix of first team regulars, fringe players and new signings such as Ramsey. Carlos Vela took a knock in training so did not appear. In the second half the youth took over. Players such as RvP, Adebayor, Nasri, Gallas, Toure and several others are not due back until Monday.
On paper the first half team looked the strongest, but Barnet made it tough for them, and very few chances were created. Indeed Barnet were good value for their one goal lead. A great free kick, but a piece of inept organisation of the wall by Almunia. Placing the wall so he couldn't see the ball but leaving enough space for the ball to come through. Later he made some good saves to atone.
Ramsey had a very good debut, but most of the team seemed uninspired by the event. No doubt with 10 months of football ahead most pros aren't going to overdo it on the very first week and game back. Bendtner seemed the rustiest, and Walcott wasn't given any chance worthy of the name.
However Barnet should be credited with their effective defending and crowding of the midfield.
Simpson and Wilshere show
Simpson equalises
The second half was all change, with basically the youth team taking over with the addition of the new signing of Coquelin. This team wanted it far more than the one that played the first half, no doubt as they know they haven't ten months of first team play to look forward to.
True Barnet were tired by their first half exertions, and made considerable changes themselves, but this was a real step up by the young guns. They dominated the midfield and made ten times the chances of their seniors.
Wilshere and Jay Simpson linked up in a way that Walcott and Bendtner never did. On 64 minutes Wilshere slid in an excellent pass to Simpson, in spite of the tight angle and with lots left to do Jay forced the ball home. As fine a goal you will see at any level.
On 73 minutes Jay and Jack combined again, Simpson received the ball from Wilshere, and slipped the ball to the better placed Barazite who coolly passed the ball into the net.
After that the Gunners could have had a few more, but it ended 2-1.These games are meaningless but the young Guns saved any possible embarrassment that a defeat could have caused. Several of them also issued a warning that the first team cannot be complacent. In particular Jay Simpson showed a readiness and maturity. Wilshere needs to be protected but it would be great to see him in the Carling Cup.
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Well Simpson, shot the ball OVER THE GK for his goal.
For the past couple of years all of our players will always shoot straight at the keeper when the oppsostion keeper rush out and didve to get the ball.
I haven't see any of players chip the ball to score during thoses one on ones for a couple of years, untill today.
Our players needs stop shotting staright at the keeper or shoot low when the keepers rush out and dive, but instead chip the ball over the keepers.
Also about ALmunia, he is a good shot stopper but his commanding, communication and organisation of the defence at set pieces is poor.
He needs to improve on those area quickly if he wants to be great (not world class) goalkeeper.
I expect to see Wilshere in the CC squad this season, Wenger said yesterday "I don't expect Jack will stay in the reserves long", its reported today that Arsenal have offered the lad a six year contract, they see him as just a big a talent as Cesc was at same age and we know he made first team at 16 and Cesc was similar in size to what Wilshere is now
Not like Hleb as he doesnt go ound in circles and is prepared to shoot.
Yes Cesc made it at 16 but thats because his maturity was way ahead like his talent was for his age.
Now Wilshere's talent is also ahead of his age, but is he mature enough to break into our first team like Cesc did?
IMO we should be patient with Wilshere.
Wilshere was knocked around like on a carrom board, bodychecked and shoulder-charge by those hunky Hungarian players (must be instructed by Wenger to give him a full course..
But Wilshere's bounciblity is excellent as if he just picked hismelf up, brushed off the dust and carried on without any histroionics.
A good sign of grit and self-disciplined.
Maybe he will be another 17-year old Trevor Francis, which on his debut (with Wolves?) made everbody situp.
ANybody can guess what "first" did Trevor Francis achieved?..
? 
But Wilshere-Sagna or Wilshere-Clichy combination is solid on the flank as WIlshere does track back.
Can ahrdly wait for Fabregas to slip all those passes and with Wilshere reading Fabregas movement into the box....
You notice that last seaosn it was bloody frustrating to see Fabregas ghosted into the box with no return passes and with Hleb holding up and actually bring the ball OUT OF THE BOX!!!
I beleive Ramsey, wilshere, Vela or NAsri will have the vision to pick up Fabregas' runs into the box.
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