The Under-23s Thread

[MutableEarth]

The U21s are streaming their match vs Blackburn tonight. Jurrien Timber is making his return tonight, either at LB or RB, not sure as Josh Nichols is playing and he also plays both positions.

Good chance to see the major players at that level too with Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Walters, Cozier-Duberry and Heaven all starting. Bit disappointed that even after all his antics recently, Chido Obi still hadn't made the squad at least as a sub. Butler-Oyedeji has been quite poor in front of goal so hopefully he gets one today .

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Great to see Timber finally back. Think they'll give him 45 minutes

 

[Energoto]

Okonkwo back with the team? Heard he was in the team of the year in L2, but we haven't offered a new deal, right?

 

[Sulosky]

And Jurrien scored!

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

No way he scored

 

[TheEliteMaster100_]

Here's the goal if anyone has missed out on it

 

[grange]

How can you tell what kind of game shape he's in with this? Mf'ers are walking the ball up.

 

[MutableEarth]

Okonkwo back with the team? Heard he was in the team of the year in L2, but we haven't offered a new deal, right?

Its his little brother Brian Okonkwo

 

[GoonerJeeves]

Some dodgy defending to end the half

 

[MutableEarth]

@Geofranco is it me or has Lewis-Skelly gotten taller? Looks like a unit, almost didn't recognise him!

 

[MutableEarth]

Some dodgy defending to end the half

Yeah bit of inexperience from Nichols and Kabia on the right hand side. Not too mad at it.

 

[MutableEarth]

2-2 full time. This team is DYING for Chido Obi

Thought Lewis-Skelly and the CBs were good. Josh Nichols impressive again. Timber looked comfy. Kabia was the best attacking player for me, surprise package.

 

[lomekian]

Its somewhat damning that the likes of Butler and Henry-Francis are still regulars for our u21s at this stage. Neither has a snowballs chance in hell of making it, and the former has, bar a little purple patch last year, done nothing much at this level.

 

[DJ_Markstar]

Here's the goal if anyone has missed out on it

That's not a goal that's a muhfugging screamer

 

[MutableEarth]

Its somewhat damning that the likes of Butler and Henry-Francis are still regulars for our u21s at this stage. Neither has a snowballs chance in hell of making it, and the former has, bar a little purple patch last year, done nothing much at this level.

Henry-Francis' lack of loan time annoys me a little. Think he's gonna end up going the Matthew Smith route. Butler-Oyedeji has at least played EFL football but bless him, he's struggled a lot. I always felt that outside of his dribbling he is very blunt in the final 3rd. Kabia is like a slightly better version of him already.

Obi and probably Jimi Gower will replace them. Gower is a persevering talent but I think he will struggle too. The eyes should probably be on Rosiak.

 

[MutableEarth]

Timber looked extremely comfortable, really good to see him back. His goal was class aswell, proper worldie

 

[MutableEarth]

U21s highlights | Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal

Watch at: Arsenal FC Official Website | Home | Arsenal.com

Last U21 game of the season and we win. Cozier-Duberry gets a brace, his 2nd goal being his trademark cut-in curler. I do hope he stays beyond this season, as unlikely as it appears currently.

Timber played 70 mins.

 

[avenellroad]

Chido Obi should be getting some first team call ups next season after we sell Nketiah.

This guy already looks a better striker at 16 than Nketiah currently is.

 

[MutableEarth]

Chido Obi should be getting some first team call ups next season after we sell Nketiah.

This guy already looks a better striker at 16 than Nketiah currently is.

Depending on how quickly he settles into the U21 team and if he scores at even half the astronomical rate he's currently scoring at, he'll probably start getting a look in if we (finally) get some favourable cup draws.

He's definitely not better than Nketiah right now - that said, he has a much more valuable profile than Nketiah does and will likely go on to be a better asset IF he continues his development and makes a splash here. Nketiah would fare well at a team that caters to their #9 and their #9 only or at least a team that needs a striker to hoover up chances. This isn't really that team as our CF plays a much more self-effacing and technically demanding role. Martin Obi has the skillset to do this, and I'd argue it still needs further developing. His goalscoring is taking precedent but his ability in deeper areas and his ability to carry the ball really helps him and it's something he's still working on. He's getting better in the air and getting used to his height aswell.

 

[db10_therza]

Have we ever had a kid score at this kind of rate for the u18s?

Trying to judge how rare it is.