Sol Campbell pulled on an Arsenal shirt onTuesday night for the first time since May 2006 and completed 45minutes as the Gunners' second string defeated their West Hamcounterparts 4-2 at Upton Park.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas hit a hat-trick and Emmanuel Frimpongwas also on target as Neil Banfield's side moved to within just twopoints of Aston Villa at the top of the Premier Reserve League South.
The Gunners were 2-0 up at half-time but two penalties saw West Hamlevel the scores. However Arsenal weren't done and Frimpong restoredtheir lead before Emmanuel-Thomas added a fourth in stoppage time.
It was a fine performance from the visitors but the big story wasCampbell's return. The 35-year-old has been training with ArsèneWenger's squad and played tonight after securing a Reserve Leagueregistration while talks continue over the prospect of a permanent moveback to Arsenal.
Campbell's first action came just twominutes in when he shielded the ball from Freddie Sears and minuteslater he dispossessed Fabio Daprela as the full back charged forwardthrough the midfield.
A handful of 20-yard efforts were allthat Arsenal had to show despite dominating possession in the openingquarter of the game. Mark Randall and Gilles Sunu tried their luck. The former's shot was held by the Hammers' keeper and the latter's attempt was drilled just wide of goal.
With 25 minutes on the clock Fran Meridatook the Gunners' first corner of the match. It was a teasing deliveryfrom the 19-year-old but just a little high for anyone to make aconnection.
Just minutes later a second corner was deliveredslightly lower by the Spanish midfielder and Arsenal had the lead asEmmanuel-Thomas rose highest to meet it. His powerful glancing headerfrom the near post beat Marek Stech
Moments later the West Ham keeper was retrieving the ball from the back of his net again.
Kerrea Gilbertfed Emmanuel-Thomas down the right wing and last season's FA YouthCup-winning captain cut inside to work himself into a shootingposition. From the edge of the six-yard box the 19-year-old fired hisleft-footed shot into the back of the net to cap a slick Arsenal moveand double the visitors' lead.
The hosts' best chance of thefirst-half arrived in the 40th minute when Daprela crossed to Sears.However the England youth international sliced his shot over the bar.
Campbell was withdrawn at half-time and Ignasi Miquel was introduced in his place. Mark Randall also came off with Frimpong entering the fray.
Ten minutes after the break the Hammers were back in it. A latefollow-through in the area was penalised and Sears had an opportunityto make it 2-1 from the spot. The young striker made no mistake andthough Vito Mannone dived the right way, the spot-kick was too well placed for the Italian to reach.
In the 78th minute Kyle Bartleywas harshly adjudged to have mis-timed what look to be an inch-perfecttackle on a West Ham forward. Sears stepped up to take the penalty onceagain and this time went to Mannone's left to score the Hammers'equaliser.
But just five minutes later Arsenal's lead wasrestored. Frimpong collected the ball 20 yards from goal and powered awell-placed shot into the bottom corner of the net.
With two minutes left Merida almost sealed the points with an effortfrom 10 yards, slight left of goal. The Spaniard looked for the farcorner but Stech's good reflexes saw him make an impressive save.And in stoppage time the victory was ensured as Emmanuel-Thomas completed his hat trick with a left-footed drive across goal.
It was a convincing and dominant display from Banfield's side who wereinspired rather than distracted by the star turn in their starting XI.And at the halfway stage of the season the Gunners' second string sitjust two points behind leaders Villa.作者: williams15 时间: 2010-1-13 08:22
回归后 对西汉姆预备队比赛中首发出场作者: williams15 时间: 2010-1-13 08:22 作者: 我是专业球迷 时间: 2010-1-13 09:00
当真回归阿仙奴？作者: 闻琴解佩 时间: 2010-1-13 09:01
这是一猛男~~作者: ddalva 时间: 2010-1-13 09:11
不大明白教授为什么当年没续签campbell作者: schtwzstaffel 时间: 2010-1-13 12:13
我只能这样表达我的心情