CITY'S second string slipped to a first defeat of the new season against Arsenal at Barnet's Underhill Stadium on Monday night. Rhys Murphy's strike just after the half time interval was enough to maintain the Gunner's 100 percent winning record and retain their spot at the top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League South.
First Team Coach Mark O'Connor named a strong side ahead of the clash with Uruguay international Diego Arismendi, Andy Griffin, Richard Cresswell, Tom Soares and Leon Cort all featuring. Steve Simonsen's first team duties against Chelsea at the weekend meant a start in goal for Academy stopper Dave Parton, whilst fellow Under 18 stars Louis Moult, Tom Urwin and Rodney McDonald were named amongst the substitutes.
Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Neil Banfield welcomed Switzerland international Philippe Senderos back into the equation after spending last season on loan with Serie A giants A.C. Milan. Highly rated youngsters Mark Randall, who was sent off in this fixture last season, Kerrea Gilbert and Roarie Deacon were also given the chance to impress the on-looking Arsene Wenger as they look to make a breakthrough into his senior side.
The hosts looked the brighter of the two sides during the early proceedings, and could have found themselves one goal up in the fifth minute had striker Nacer Barazite shown a little bit more composure in front of goal after Roarie Deacon found him inside the penalty area. City responded with a chance of their own shortly after, but former Crystal Palace star Cort could only glance Griffin's dangerous free-kick wide of Wojciech Szczesny's left hand post.
Arsenal showed pretty much the same attacking flair as the first team do, but they found it difficult to breakdown a resilient City backline, which was being aided by the impressive Arismendi, who is certainly adjusting to life in England after putting in another commanding performance in his defensive midfield role.
Griffin, who was being given a torrid time by the pace of Deacon, was left watching as the Frenchman burst into the penalty area and laid off the dangerous Murphy, who curled an effort towards the top left hand corner only for Parton to respond with a superb reaction save. The highly rated keeper again had to be alert to deny skipper Kyle Bartley with a header, whilst the closest City went to breaking the deadlock during the first half came after Szczesny made a meal of Soares' corner and dropped the ball, but fortunately for the league leaders Senderos cleared the ball away from danger with Cresswell looking ready to pounce.
Barnfield made two changes during the interval as he looked to prolong his side's fine start to the season, and it proved to be a masterstroke as within six minutes of the restart Murphy fired the hosts into the lead. The Welsh striker neatly controlled the ball inside the penalty area and chipped the ball over Parton and into the back of the net, despite the City stopper managing to get a hand to the ball.
The goal breathed fresh confidence into the hosts who could have doubled their advantage on two separate occasions before the hour mark. Firstly, Murphy failed to take advantage of Cort's slip as he fired wide with just Parton to beat, whilst substitute Freeman was denied by a superb last ditch challenge from Shotton after latching onto a long punt forward from Senderos.
Chances were few and far between for the visitors, whose best chances continued to come from set-pieces. However, despite the best attempts of Soares and Cort, Arsenal's backline continued to stand firm and frustrate the Potters. O'Connor responded by introducing both Moult and Wedderburn with 20 minutes remaining in search of an equaliser. One which very nearly came some eight minutes later. A classic counter attack freed Cresswell down the right and he showed a good touch before laying the ball across the 18-yard box to Danny Pugh, but Bartley brilliantly tracked back to block the former Manchester United's man's effort.
Arsenal had goalkeeper Szczeny to thank for all three points in the dying stages as he twice denied the Potters. He firstly bravely denied Moult from close range and then brilliantly saved Cresswell's effort after he latched onto Shotton's long throw into the danger zone.
ARSENAL (4-3-3): Szczesny; Gilbert, Bartley (c), Senderos, Eastmond; Miquel, Randall (Ozyakup, 46), Watt (Freeman, 46); Deacon (Evina, 66), Murphy, Barazite. Subs not used: Shea, Boateng.
CITY (4-1-4-1): Parton; Shotton, Davies (Wedderburn, 75), Cort, Griffin (c), (McDonald, 85); Arismendi; Soares, Lund (Moult, 69), Pugh, Dickinson; Cresswell. Subs not used: Urwin.
