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Arsenal reserve match

Avon Insurance Combination, 7th November 1996

Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2

I had meant to put in a report on the reserves, but as I haven't been in since the game I got beaten to it. However I can add a few things to jims report. 
> not certain about the team.  I think it was Lukic in goal,a back five of
> McGowan, Linigan, Garde and Clarke, in midfield Hughes, Parlour and Shaw,
> with Read and Kiwoma up front.

As some may have noticed the back five described here is only four! The other player was Marshall who had a reasonable game. 

> For Chelsea the only players I recongnised were Peacock, Stein and a much
> slimmer Rocky.

I did get a team sheet but unfortunately have lost it. However their number two did look useful.

As for us I thought McGowan (as right wing back) had a pretty good game and looks like he could play at top level. Shaw was okay and Hughes showed flashes of good play including a long range shot. Parlour was probably our best midfielder and as usual excelled in doing two good things out of three (ie tackle, good run, bad pass/shot). 

> We played pretty badly all round and lost 2-0.

I disagree, we had a few chances and it was really only are finishing that let us down (Kiwomya quickly became the butt of jokes and abuse in the absence of Helder - although Read wasn't much to write home about)

The funniest moment of the match was when Peacock (I think) took the ball to the left edge of the area and Flapper Lukic came running out to block the shot only for Peacock to pass across the area leaving him stranded. It would've been a certain goal if McGowan had cleared off the line, which he had to do another couple of times. As a long term aim we do need a better keeper (H won't last for ever) - I suggest poaching Crystal Palace's as he is excellent and McGoldrick notwithstanding previous buys from this source have done us proud! 

> Remi Garde was replaced in the first half by Ian Selley (did someone ask
> how he was doing recently?).

He played as central defender which at first I thought was odd. However he has filled out a bit and did look comfortable on the ball.

All in all I thought it was a good game (much better than against Luton) and we were a bit unlucky. Had Johnny been playing I think we would've got at least one, but once we went one-nil down we over exposed ourselves and got caught out. On Chelseas side Peacock was a bit of a git - fouling people and kicking the ball away etc and deserved two cards (he only got a yellow). Rocky was great and really looked a class above everyone else - maybe he felt he had a case to prove.

The fact we're still playing 532 in reserves suggests to me Wenger is going to stick with it. After all Clarke is more a winger than a full back and other young players can still be moulded.

report by Peter Swingewood

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