Anyway....who's going to the Arsenal game today ?

Jul 19, 2015 6:31:24 GMT o2o2bo2ba said:

As I see it, the Arsenal development squad were every bit as good as most team in Conference last season. Made few errors.

I know it's only a friendly, but they showed a passing, skillful approach to the game and I was entertained for only one goal (which was a communication error between JClarke and Milds). Next time I'm sure he'll just welly it instead of waiting for Milds to gather.

Colombian didn't do much but did do a turn of pace down left and whip in a sublime cross.

Easter looked menacing, and forged the best front two link with Matteeee of the match.

Bodin ineffective, almost played alone up front with Ellis as they were too far away from each other.

What I'm liking is Gosling adopting a new (to us) role in centre mid. Very creative, blistering shot from distance in first half, and patrols across the line well. Sometimes gets caught in possession though.

I liked Greenslade going forward. Think Brown has nothing to worry about though as he let his marker have too much space in first half and consequently alot of attacks came from the right side, influenced by their very capable number7.

Leadbitter is looking real quality. Although friendlies, nothing has gone past him and his speed mean tracking back hardly gets noticed.

Lines was captain for at least part of the game (someone said Parkes may have started, not sure) and delivered some juicy through balls...I'm relishing his input in three weeks time.

Oh and the ref used his shaving foam on free kicks. He let us all know by waving it around before using it....provoked one of the loudest roars of the day....but nothing can beat the Blackthorn roar of COME ON YOU BLUES!

All in all, encouraging performance. Keep it up, UptheGas..

To me their goal came from the result of an amateurish error in defence, not for the first time Mildy came unnecessarily dashing out.

You're right there was too much space on our left, this happens when Brown plays, but there were often occasions when there were two Arsenal players there.

Parkes was, yes, excellent with one move of pure class on the edge of the box. I've always liked Leadbitter and was cast aside too quickly in his early days. Sincs is back!!! Easter looked fit and showed good touches. Lines will, as stated, be the difference in League 2. Gosling was better, agreed. Too many crosses were too close to their tall keepers. Bodin did a few things, he looks the finished article though and would not need much coaching unlike getting in a cheaper younger loanee, but perhaps he's not tall enough. We won the second half, but there few real shots.

The Arsenal team, as expected, had skill and pace, but I thought over coached and did not have that exuberance of youth; the goalkeepers were even robotic. There were the odd examples of being coached in drawing the foul and play acting, particularly the No 3 in the second half.

I hope there were not too many scouts there as only two, Nos 9 and 7, stood out for the Arsenal, but 3 or 4 of ours.

The ref was Conference level, perhaps he was.

Jul 19, 2015 8:40:35 GMT clockendgas said:

I for one never read sweet fa into pre season games, often remember winning five or six pre season games really well then getting thumped first proper game, to me its just another training session and i dont pay to watch that. Saying that, arsenal first team i may well have wandered down.

Of course they are training sessions, but against teams producing 'match day' conditions and trying to raise players to match fitness, something that can not be done on the training ground. DC can look at players in front of a 'crowd'. New combinations can be tried against different and unknown combinations. Trialists can be checked. Back room routines on match day can be worked out.

Supporters get their interest up and also see new signings. They are social things as well. Some games are for goodwill and raise revenue.

It's easy to win pre-seasons if sides are a couple of tiers lower.

I have to say some of the recent years' games have been unattractive and I feel there are too many of them, I always hold my breath for injuries. I like tours, that must also bring in team/group spirit.

I am with you in the case of England and I have stopped going to friendlies since the days of Sven Urine Sample.