Arsenal U21s continued their unbeaten start to the season by dispatching of Aston Villa courtesy of two strikes from Chuba Akpom. Here’s an assessment of how each of the Arsenal players fared during the 2-0 victory at Villa Park.
Damian Martinez
Making his first appearance of the season at any level, Martinez was an assured presence and commanded his area well, demonstrating why he has been promoted to the senior squad.
Hector Bellerin
The Spaniard could soon join Martinez in the first-team. He attacked well down the right flank, although his defensive positioning is still a little suspect at times.
Stefan O’Connor
A strong physical presence at the heart of the defence and he made some good interventions, but his distribution was suspect on occasion.
Isaac Hayden
The captain delivered an outstanding performance, reading the game well and making numerous decisive interceptions. With first-team central-defensive options considerably thin, he could be rewarded with a start against Southampton in the Capital One Cup.
Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill
Having suffered an alarming dip in form towards the end of last season, Ormonde-Ottewill appeared to be back to his own self tonight. Adept at making challenges as well as creating chances.
Francis Coquelin
Would not have anticipated that he would still be playing U21 football at the age of 23, but he played well, helping to protect the back four along with Abou Diaby.
Abou Diaby
The most significant news was that Diaby completed 90 minutes unscathed. He also played some perceptive passes and demonstrated his considerable strength. Whether he will be able to feature regularly for the first-team again, though, remains to be seen.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
One of several second-years in the team and he already seems at home at this level, striking the crossbar and also coming close to scoring on several other occasions.
Gedion Zelalem
Virtually anonymous in the first-half, he became increasingly involved in the second period and provided a reminder of his undoubted quality by setting up Akpom’s second goal.
Dan Crowley
Stationed on the left flank, but always threatened to come inside. Some neat moments, but needs to focus on doing the simple things right.
Chuba Akpom
The striker has scored six goals in four U21 games this season and could have scored even more tonight. A potent mix of power, pace and persistence has propelled Akpom ever closer to the senior squad, although he may have to wait a little longer for his chance following the acquisition of Danny Welbeck.
Subs not used: Matt Macey, Tafari Moore, Semi Ajayi, Jack Jebb, Alex Iwobi.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
This might be a popular opinion but from what I’ve seen of both players, I’m much more excited about Akpom than I am about Sanogo. And I’m talking about what I’ve seen them do with the senior squad.
granted, it seems that way but it is so difficult to judge on preseason games. My suspicion is that Wenger preferred Sanogo because of his similar play style to Giroud – it was more a point of team compatibility than individual talent. Strikers like Akpom usually seek to create their own goals, and against first team games, is much more difficult than at U21.
It does seem that he is swiftly graduating from that level of football. Can’t wait to see him flourish.
finaly! the first bit of sense ive heard on the akpon/sonogo debate. thankyou Bould’s Eyeliner, there are still people out there that are perceptive enough to understand Wengers decisions. In terms of one on ones with defenders, sonogo seems no worse than giroud, he just isnt getting on to as many crosses as giroud does.
Diaby played well and made some great passes, Akpom nearly got another hattrick 🙂
Excellent post, great to be kept up to date with the youth sides.
No mention of how the regular, not form fitting jerseys, looked great? Man of the match for me.
Really liking the look of that Akpom. I think he will make the grade. Looks and moves like That Guyz younger brother. Both have that abysmal haircut.
Akpom smashed it!
How come people dont talk about maitland-niles… i think he’s a bright prospect
I think the ability of Hayden shouldn’t be underestimated. I think Wenger sees him as making the first team squad in the very near future( as CB)
Sanogo ahead of Chuba must baffle even Arsene himself. But he still does it! this man a locko
First time I’ve watched an U21 match and hugely impressed with Akpom.
Capital One Southampton match will be a great game.
I remember watching my first Arsenal match, some two years ago? U-21’s side, at the Emirates against West Brom, with Serge Gnabry scoring a fantastic half volley winner. And the only reason I went was because of a blog here, urging us fans to go see the game. So I’m very happy that you guys have decided to do a match report on an U-21’s match, and I hope in the future you keep us informed about upcoming U-21’s matches from time to time because for some of us fans, getting a match ticket for the main team is financially… Read more »
I agree wholeheartedly
So, what is the result of this match?
Read the first paragraph of the report. I believe you’ll find the answer to your question there.
Good stuff all around; the article itself and it’s content.
2-0
Thought everyone played exceptional..I think the team suffers from arrogance and over confidence. When your that age its like that and its understandable. Alot of natural talent and trickery. Front Four: Akpom impressed with not only his pace but his power, and ability to ride tackles at pace with the ball under control. Finishing was a bit off tonight but he seems to be a far better prospect than Sanogo (who i do think has potentiall aswel). Maitland-Niles was effective and a threat throughout, but also covered bellerin when he had to..Rarely lost the ball and he actually shot from… Read more »
Now I am seening best and the great work of every body in the team and God bless Akpam that guy is good and he will do great things in the club I would have to take podustill to top 9
Akpom’s finish for the second goal was very good. The first I think was poor defending from Villa. He had some other chances he missed, but that’s normal. Let’s not get carried away. The difference between U21 and first team is huge. What we should hope for is that he continues this form, then finds a loan to a Championship team. He’s nearly 19, and I think two seasons in the Championship will do him a world of good.
Diaby should definitely get his chance in the 1st team soon. He was truly dominant in that performance at Anfield in 2012/2013. Class midfielder!
Great to see this update blogs. I was wondering what was happening with diaby as he’s never mentioned in the senior injury updates by Wenger.
If bellerin can get his defensive duties in line, I’d say he’s more of a candidate to replace jenkinson so chambers can concentrate on central defense.
Now that trophy monkey is off our back, really excited to see the youth get their chance in the capital one cup this year. No doubt Wenger will go back to the youth policy this year for that competition.
I watch the match with my brother in law who is also Arsenal fan and the wife, it was a great match,Zalalem is a player.
Good to see Diaby play a full ninety, i just wish so bad he would’t get injured again. He can be the missing piece of our midfield this season. Its interesting watching zelalem cuz even when he doesn’t dominate games he just needs that one moment to produce a killer pass. Funny Hayden seemed to be playing right wing at some point, frankly i don’t really see him as a centre back, would be a waste of talent better suited for dmf.
Great article. However I’m pretty certain it was Diaby who played the through pass for Akpom’s second goal and not Zelalem. Really good performance all-round especially from Akpom. I also think Sanogo should be involved in these games.
It was definitely Zelalem.
time to see that eye doctor ma. it was Zelalem! are you JB in disguise…
Pretty sure it was me, but Abou had some great passes there, too
Great to see Sky Sports air this fixture. I hope they show more in the future. Some good looking prospects on show for Arsenal. I agree that Sanogo should maybe be playing for U21’s, banging in a few goals at any level will give him some confidence. Akpom certainly looks more assured and stronger than Yaya.
The future’s bright in red and white! Well done chaps.
Nice to hear Abou got a full 90.
Don’t blame players as the system in which we play make it harder for an alone striker to express himself. Arsenal system of play is so predictable that most of the team seem to be at ease there were times when we played with 2 strikers we were terrorising defences so sometime we need to approach games with different system of play
Saw Akpom interviewed on Sky Sports after too, seems like a good lad – Hope to see him feature for the first team at some point this season. Good to hear Diaby is progressing well and with Zelalem it seems like it’s just a matter of time (& bulking up) before he starts tearing up the Premier League!
Do we think this is the end for Diaby or is the boss easing him back extra slow to enable a best chance of full rehabilitation? Such exceptional technique would be a shame to see it falter…
Why the weird mix of red/white and yellow/blue kits?
#findramblingpete
I’ve always thought that Akpom will become a world class striker. I’m so happy for Abou. Really missed his game so much that I downloaded his previous matches. That guy is class!
I’ll never understand why Diaby has been shown so much faith and I now have to work weekends in Costcutter. I’ve been doing a job at CB recently aswell! Still on the same number, Arsene.
I also think Sanogo&Campbell should get involved in this so they get used to scoring lots.
I saw the whole match, and it was overall a good performance. It was fairly obvious that Akpom, especially, is in a tough spot. He’s clearly too good for the U21 level, so I guess a loan to a mid table premiership club would be a good idea. I’m not sure he can learn much more while playing in the U21 league.
A good game arsenal u21’s played well the stadium was not packed but now gunners have 10pts and top of table akpom on form diaby looked different coyg
Bellerin: he is already first team. Better than Jenkinson
Diaby : if we can benefit from his power and guile this season, what a player to have if available.
Akpom: he’s only 17! Showing a lot of promise. Together with Sanogo for the near future.
zelalem : gifted but like all young players a question of consistency
Coquelin: on the periphery but still in touching distance. A couple of near legacy issues at DM so a lot depends on his attitude and if he can step up a notch.
Maitland Niles – another exciting player off the assembly line
Akpom is the next off the assembly line. That kid is going to be special