Arsenal, Chelsea
Bould’s reputation grows as Arsenal trump Chelsea
The Arsenal U-18 side crushed their Chelsea counterparts in a facile victory that demonstrates the great divergence between the two clubs' youth polices.
Footballing World at London Colney
While Chelsea have been getting the better of London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League ever since Roman Abramovich took over (bar that clueless Ranieri year), it is a completely different story at under-18 level, as demonstrated by Arsenal’s dominance of their contest on a brisk Saturday morning at London Colney.
Chelsea have made noises about cutting the reliance on Abramovich’s billions by building-up their youth system but progress on this front appears slow at best and a non-goer at worst. It’s the contrary at Arsenal, who are keen believers and investors in youth, and are justly reaping the rewards.
A brief look at the League Cup thrashing of Sheffield United intimates just how successful Arsenal’s youth academy has been at rearing and developing raw talent. It is not solely about training young English players but also bringing in undiscovered foreign starlets and maturing them into Premier League footballers.
The pair of clubs always endure hard-fought matches at elite level, but the Arsenal under-18s were so domineering that was verging on an embarrassment.
A 2-0 victory was all to show for 90 minutes of one-way traffic, with the usual, very Arsenal-esque problem of not being able to finish chances after an intricate build-up inevitably present in the performance. Seemingly no Arsenal side can rid themselves of this ongoing complex.
Chelsea failed to garner one meaningful effort on goal as their opponents continually threatened, offering a fantastic array of passing and crossing skills and plenty of pace. Roarie Deacon’s goal was all about pace and strength; Luke Freeman struck the other goal from close range as Chelsea failed to deal with a routine corner.
As the Chelsea players raged at each other and afforded little fighting spirit following Arsenal’s second soon after the restart, Steve Bould’s team were forever calm, composed and confident.
Chelsea performed like a group of individuals eyeing up a place in the reserve side, something this performance suggests is a distant prospect.
Bould’s side, although not yet a completely functioning and in-sync eleven, instead played for each other, immeasurably aided by the terrific individual talent levels. Yet while an individual player can star, working within a team is a key facet to their progress as the top man, Arsene Wenger, has stated numerous times.
Bould himself cut a relaxed but diligent figure, tranquil but focused as the under-18s notched up their fourth victory of the Premier Academy League season. He is looking to move up the ladder at the club and acknowledges success at this level will act as a significant boost to his opportunities of earning a promotion.
There is still work to be done but the manner in which they destroyed Chelsea ensures fresh optimism for Arsenal’s future generation of youthful talent while Gunners supporters will desperately be hoping that the facile victory will be an omen of how the Premier League season will pan out for the senior side.
Tags: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Chelsea, Luke Freeman, Roarie Deacon, Roman Abramovich, Steve Bould
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I suppose this would be the point where you also point out that on the same day Chelsea U16s trumped Arsenal U16s 4-1?
Oh, of course, it doesn’t suit the agenda.
Carry on.
Where was this article when Chelsea’s reserves beat Arsenal’s reserves 2-3 at Barnet a month back, ending Arsenal’s long unbeaten record? Different story then, wasn’t it?
Someone will no doubt mention that Drogba made an appearance in that game without pointing out it was his first game in 3 months, he was heavy and half-paced and when he was subbed off it was 1-1, after which Chelsea took over completely.
Never mind. That doesn’t make such a good story does it.
No style, no grace, no wisdom, no brains. It seems this site is destined for the failure it deserves. I believe the piece to be right. Arsenal are a fabulous club and Wenger must be the best manager in Europe (I guess the world) but he would find this cheap glorification stupid. If you want to write, aspire to be something more than a rabble rouser.
LOL
reserve hahaha but that what an arsenal fans are happy to win game nobody care.
Our youth squad was playing AC MILAN reserve and we beat them 4-0, so this game was a joke i am sure arsenal fans are happy to beat a nobody youth side because i am sure Sam Hutchinson and Gael Kakuta,Fabio Borini, Stoch didnt play since they played again AC MILAN
This is a real joke. Most young Guns will be shown the exit door to move to clubs like Luton, Walsall, MK Dons, etc to pave the way to foreign young ’sensations’. Makes no difference if they win or lose as they should understand that 1 in 10 makes it to the first team.
The tone of the article is narcissistic and chintzy. Arsenal Youth were beaten by Aston Villa only a few days after the media had finished their frivolous magnifications. To paraphrase an Arsenal coach, they played like ‘jumped up schoolboys’.
I dont believe the hype. Ironically, Wenger’s over reliance on the youth system and lack of transfer spend could be their downfall with a few ambitious teams breathing down their neck.
i dont think the writer realised that we’ve been beaten a few times this season by chelski. the guy is obviously not one of the brightest bulbs in the box. llolz