Premier Reserve League

Norwich 0 Arsenal 5 (Park, Arshavin (2), Afobe, Benayoun)

A strong Arsenal Reserve side annihilated Norwich City’s youthful second string at Carrow Road this evening, with the likes of Andrey Arshavin, Yossi Benayoun and Ju Young Park revelling in the opportunity to prove their worth. There was another plus point in the return of Benik Afobe, who, despite missing a penalty, still managed to mark his comeback with a goal.

Neil Banfield named one of the strongest Reserve sides during his stewardship, calling upon several members of the first-team squad in Arshavin, Benayoun, Park, Marouane Chamakh and the returning Carl Jenkinson. Afobe was involved for the first time in six months and started on the bench.

Shea

Jenkinson-Angha-Miquel-Meade

Ozyakup-Yennaris

Benayoun-Park-Arshavin

Chamakh

subs: McDermott, Monteiro, Ebecilio, Ansah, Afobe.

Arsenal, as expected with such a strong side, flew out of the traps, with a lofted ball from Nico Yennaris finding Arshavin in space. The Russian shot just over, then, a minute later, a mazy run from Benayoun culminated in him hitting the post and Park was on hand to tap home the rebound and open the scoring with just his second goal in an Arsenal shirt.

Banfield’s side continued to dominate, and Park had a chance to double his and Arsenal’s tallies with 20 minutes gone but lashed a free-kick wide from distance. At the other end a misjudgement by Shea, perhaps borne out of rustiness, was almost capitalised upon by Ball, but thankfully Ignasi Miquel was on hand to clear off the line.

Arsenal’s dominance was briefly halted when Chamakh was removed as a precaution following a late challenge to be replaced by Afobe, but normal service resumed thereafter with Arshavin seeing a shot saved after more good work from Benayoun.

Park saw another effort go over before Arsenal were awarded a penalty on the cusp of half-time after Arshavin was brought on. Afobe, seeking to get back into the goalscoring groove, stepped up to take it, but was denied by a superb save by Wooton.

It was to be 2-0 before the interval, however, with the goal coming in rather fortuitous fashion when an Arshavin ball bounced into the net off the post.

Jenkinson, as scheduled, was removed at the break following a good workout and replaced by Kyle Ebecilio.

The procession of chances continued into the second half. Park, Arshavin and Afobe combined well, with the latter then almost finding the South Korean bearing through on goal. Arshavin then fired another shot wide, before Benayoun directed an effort straight at Wooton.

In a rare chance for Norwich Jamar Loza blazed over following an impressive run, then Benayoun couldn’t quite find the net after being threaded through by Oguzhan Ozyakup.

The third goal had long been coming, and it eventually arrived when Park teed up Afobe and the striker made the moment that he must of dreamed of so many times since August a reality when slotted home emphatically to make it 3-0.

He squandered another opportunity shortly afterwards after good work from Arshavin, then the Russian found the net himself, which will hopefully go some way towards boosting his confidence, with a crisp finish to a move once again orchestrated by Benayoun.

Zak Ansah was introduced for Afobe, who was understandably showing signs of fatigue, before Martin Angha had a header saved from an Arshavin cross.

Ozyakup then continued his impressive form to tee up Benayoun for the fifth.

That’s how it finished and, Chamakh’s withdrawal apart, it was a very impressive night for Arsenal as the first-team players and younger professionals worked together cohesively.