Pre-season friendly

Boreham Wood 1 Arsenal 3 (Watt (pen), Akpom (pen), Olsson)

By Jeorge Bird @ Meadow Park

This was Terry Burton’s first game in charge of the Reserve side since his return to the club, but the 59 year old followed a trait set by former under-18 coach Steve Bould in inspiring his side to an impressive second-half performance after they failed to inspire during the opening period.

The game was also notable for the fact that Kris Olsson and Chuba Akpom marked their first appearances at this level with goals, with the latter delivering an impressive all-round performance that included him winning the penalty from which the comparatively experienced Sanchez Watt scored the Gunners’ other goal.

Burton sprung some surprises with his selection. Having lost Thomas Eisfeld to the first-team travelling party for the Asia Tour, second-year scholar Anthony Jeffrey was drafted into the squad and would deliver an impressive cameo appearance late on. However, the phrase round pegs in square holes sprung to mind when it was announced that Kyle Ebecilio, normally a midfielder, would be starting at right-back, and Sead Hajrovic, who is more accustomed to playing at the back, was deployed in a deep-lying midfield position.

Martinez

Ebecilio-Angha-Monteiro-Meade

Hajrovic-Henderson

Rees-Olsson-Akpom

Watt

subs: Shea (for Martinez, 46), Boateng (for Monteiro, 46), Wynter (for Rees, 46), Jeffrey (for Ebecilio, 61), Roberts (for Henderson, 61), Bihmoutine (for Meade, 70), Bellerin (for Angha, 70). Not used: Charles-Cook.

Both players struggled to impose themselves in their unfamiliar roles, with much of Arsenal’s attacking play in the opening period revolving around Conor Henderson, who completed 61 minutes as he continues to build up his fitness. The Irish midfielder picked out Watt, the only other player in this squad to have represented the first-team in a competitive fixture, early on but the striker couldn’t control the ball properly and the chance fizzled out.

At the other end Damian Martinez easily claimed a free-kick after Martin Angha was judged to have committed a foul, before Henderson saw a well-struck free-kick deflected out for a corner. Boreham Wood would take the lead, however, shortly afterwards when former Gunner Omer Riza pounced on some static defending to nod home past Martinez.

Arsenal didn’t seem too fazed by going behind and continued to carve out chances of their own, Jernade Meade shooting wide off the back of a fluid passing move before Josh Rees did likewise after being picked out by creator-in-chief Henderson.

Martinez then had a couple of bits and pieces to deal with before a Boreham Wood cross flashed dangerously across the face of the Arsenal goal. More chances came and went for the Gunners, with Henderson and Olsson both struggling to test James Russell in the home goal.

Akpom did rattle the post though just before the break with a fierce strike and that set the tone for what was to come in the second period as Arsenal delivered a significantly more composed performance without ever being spectacular.

James Shea, Daniel Boateng and Jordan Wynter were all introduced at the break, and a long-ball from Boateng created the first chance of the second half when the alert Akpom latched onto it and forced a corner with a well-hit effort. Henderson continued to threaten, especially from set-pieces, although Boreham Wood did still occasionally cause some moments of concern, especially when Meade had to head a cross off the line.

Watt then really should of scored after receiving Angha’s accurate cross but instead headed over, then Arsenal were finally rewarded for their persistence when Akpom was clumsily fouled in the area. Watt, the most senior figure in the side, stepped up to take it and converted efficiently to equalise then substitutes Jeffrey and Philip Roberts combined well but the latter’s shot was saved.

Akpom would make it 2-1 from 12 yards, however, when Watt allowed him to take the spot-kick which was awarded in the furore that surrounded that Roberts chance. It was a great moment for the 16 year old, whose face was a picture of delight in celebration of his first goal at this level.

The equally lively Jeffrey then shot over himself before Olsson drove forward with consummate ease and slipped the ball past the goalkeeper with aplomb. The margin of victory could have been even greater had Jeffrey not been denied by the post at the death, but a 3-1 victory is not a bad start for the Burton regime.

The new coach is a lot quieter than Banfield and didn’t shout at his players during the game, instead preferring to offer words of encouragement. His next game is against Stevenage next week, although it is unlikely that Serge Gnabry and Jon Toral, who are both still working their way back to full fitness, will be available for that game.

As for today’s fixture, Akpom again underlined his raw talent, whilst Olsson impressed in patches but will still take some time getting used to the physical requirements of this level. Henderson dictated proceedings throughout his time on the pitch but could be accused of being a little over ambitious with his passing at times, whilst a special mention must go to Jeffrey for his directness and enthusiasm as he bids to win a professional contract.