RESERVE LEAGUE SOUTH

CHELSEA 0 ARSENAL 2 (ANEKE, BELLERIN)

The chasm between the Reserve league and professional football is oft referred to, and a reminder of how big a difference there is between the two levels was provided today when Chuks Aneke, who spent a frustrating few months on loan at Stevenage in League One, returned to Arsenal today to help the Reserves dispatch of Chelsea.

Aneke was not the only protagonist, with 16 year old German starlet Serge Gnabry also to the fore, but, as we have seen before with Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, performing for the second string and in a competitive league are two completely different entities. Aneke still has time on his side, and may even be able to squeeze in another loan spell before this season’s denouement, but his time at Stevenage will have provided him with an insight into the difference between the two levels.

Nonetheless, this victory means that Arsenal have now won their last four Reserve league games, scoring twelve times in the process after Aneke’s first half effort was added to by Hector Bellerin, who found the net on his debut at this level.

Against a Chelsea side lacking in experience but containing several promising young players, Arsenal imposed themselves well, although it was the hosts who conjured up the first opportunity when Conor Clifford shot wide early on.

Arsenal perhaps should have scored soon after when Aneke fed Kyle Ebecilio, but the Dutchman saw his effort saved by Jamal Blackman and Zak Ansah couldn’t convert the rebound.

Chelsea threatened sporadically, with most of their good work coming via Nathaniel Chalobah, but Josh Rees, on his first Reserve start of the season, almost continued his impressive recent goalscoring form with a shot that was deflected narrowly wide.

The opener soon followed, with Yennaris reprising his age-old understanding with Aneke to slot the latter through on goal. Aneke finished expertly, capping off an impressive first half for the midfielder.

A scrappy start to the second period ensued, prior to Bellerin’s introduction in place of Ebecilio. Chances then began to flow for both sides, with Aneke seeing an effort go just over, before intervening at the other end to clear a dangerous lofted ball.

A stinging effort from Gnabry was tipped around the post by Blackman, but he could do nothing when Bellerin headed home to double the advantage.

The young Spaniard injured himself in the process and had to be withdrawn, but it was thankfully later revealed that he had only suffered a dead leg. Gnabry still sought another goal and came perilously close to getting one before being denied by Blackman, but he and the rest of the side had already done their jobs for the day.

The Reserve title is not completely out of reach for Arsenal as they are only two points off leaders Aston Villa, but the Gunners have played two games more. They face West Bromwich Albion at Underhill next week.

Arsenal: (4-2-3-1) Martinez; Angha, Hoyte, Monteiro, Meade; Yennaris, Rees; Ebecilio (Bellerin 59) (Wynter 80), Aneke, Gnabry; Ansah (Roberts 80) . Not used: Shea, Jeffrey.

Dutch midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup, who was left out of the Reserve side today, is set to be named on the first-team bench for the Champions League Last 16, 2ndLeg tie against AC Milan at Emirates Stadium tomorrow evening.Ozyakup trained with the first-team at London Colney this morning, and will be joined in the squad by Spanish defender Ignasi Miquel. Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun and Abou Diaby have all been ruled out following injuries ascertained against Liverpool at the weekend, and join Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Andre Santos, Per Mertesacker, Sebastien Squillaci, Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong on the sidelines. Johan Djourou, however, returns to the squad. Possible team: Szczesny Sagna-Koscielny-Vermaelen-Gibbs Song-Rosicky Walcott-O Chamberlain-Gervinho van Persie Subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Djourou, Miquel, Ozyakup, Park, Chamakh.