Stevenage 0 : 1 Arsenal XI

Stevenage came out second best against an Arsenal XI which was comprised mostly of youth team players with Lansbury and Sanchez-Watt the most recognisable names on the team sheet having spent last year out on loan in the championship.

Young or old, Arsenal play like Arsenal, they dominated possession and all of their team had a quality first touch, range of passing and the ability to beat a man. They were very fast and very athletic but unwilling to shoot from further out than 6 yards and not before either beating 4 players or making 20 intricate passes. As a result despite bossing the possession they failed to boss the chances with the Stevenage back 4 of Laird, Roberts, Bostwick and Henry holding firm with good support from defensive midfielder Edwards.

Going forwards I felt that 'Boro were very disappointing in the first half. The midfield had poor shape, so the build up play was reduced to lumping it in the general direction of Charles (who worked hard and played well up front) and then feeding off the scraps he headed down.

Defensively Craig Reid was acting as a left winger, with Stacy Long pushing inside to augment the central midfield region along with Rohan Ricketts (who looked lost as times) with Edwards behind them. Ricketts looked like he had the skills and would be a good signing provided he can get a partnership going with someone. When we got the ball Reid made his way back up front but no-one came back out onto the left leaving Laird in trouble on a number of occasions with no option ahead of him.

Ronnie Henry came off on around 20 minutes, I didn't see a particular incident that caused his injury, I'm assuming it was a slight muscle twinge and he was brought off as a precaution. This meant a welcome return for Jon Ashton with Bostwick moving from centre-back to centre-mid and Edwards moving to right back.

The midfield structure was fixed at half time with Myrie-Williams replacing Long on the right and Shroot replacing Ricketts. This meant we had 3 wingers, but Shroot and Wilson interchanged right and central roles and Williams played on both right and left flanks. This flexibility made us look much more potent going forwards and provided a lot of options.

Just as I was getting cheerful and optimistic Arsenal scored, a typically lovely passing move with brilliant movement from their front 6. The big number 10 Aneke finished with an excellent turn and shot into the top corner. It was a pity he scored because he was a particularly unpleasant character. His goal celebration consisted of getting into Bostwick's face and bragging, and his injury feigning later on made his own team-mates embarrassed.

Stevenage brought on Madjo for Reid and Beardsley for Laird on the hour mark with Charles going to left back and Beardsley to Right wing with Shroot supporting Madjo up front (with JMW on the left and Wilson and Bostwick through the middle.) The flexibility continued however with the front 6 playing pretty much interchangeably. Stevenage had the best of the possession and chances for the last half hour, and if they had played the whole game like this would surely have won it.

Overall, despite the loss, I think there are a lot of positives to take from the game, particularly the second half performances. We also learned one team structure that doesn't really work, particularly offensively.

Madjo looked like a good signing, although it remains to be seen whether he'll provide that cutting edge goal scoring we will need, he will certainly create chances and seems a lively enthusiastic character. He is big, strong and very quick with a good touch. He worked hard and was always trying to show for people and throw-ins which was excellent.

Edwards loves a tackle, perhaps a bit too much, he'll pick up a lot of yellow cards playing like that outside friendlies. He's a tiger-ish player though. Brave and committed, he never stops chasing and is brave when it comes to putting his body on the line. He played well at right back in place of Henry.

Shroot impressed again with his versatility. He has a good touch and the ability to beat a man and pick out a pass. He had a 1 on 1 chance well smothered by the Arsenal keeper. I hope we sign him permanently.

JMW was solid again. Good defensively and creative offensively. He takes a lovely set-piece which is something we lacked at times last season.

Ricketts didn't really get a chance to impress. The lack of understanding in the midfield first half meant that not a lot came through them for him to show his creativity and that defensively they were always scrambling to keep up.
He has pedigree and experience at this level though. I'd sign him up as back-up to Wilson/Mousinho at present.