Arsenal's pre-season preparations continued on Wednesday night
as a young Gunners outfit came from behind to win thanks to
late goals from Sanchez Watt and Nacer Barazite.
The evening formed part of the Terriers centenary celebrations
and had garnered a lot of interest in the local area with over
16,000 tickets sold prior to kick-off.
So why invite Arsenal? The answer is simple. Herbert Chapman,
the visionary manager of the early 20th Century led both these
sides to almost unparalleled success in their respective histories.
With tonight's hosts, Chapman won two First Division titles and an
FA Cup in just four years before swapping Yorkshire for London. At
Arsenal he revolutionised the Club, setting up an era of
dominance in the 1930s.
For tonight's game Johan Djourou captained the team from
centre-half, alongside the Hoyte brothers and Kieran Gibbs. Jack
Wilshere, fresh from the news he is to wear the No 19 shirt this
season, roamed the left wing, and Theo Walcott was joined upfront
by Carlos Vela.
Much like the Arsenal side on show, Town boasted a smattering of
Academy talent in their squad, however the starting XI included
several experienced names with Premier League experience, Danny
Cadamarteri, Chris Luketti and David Unsworth.
The last time Arsenal travelled to Huddersfield, they left with
a 5-0 first leg lead in their 1993 League Cup Second Round. A
similar scoreline tonight and they might be considered
party-poopers. And when Randall went close inside a minute, a
repeat certainly didn't seem out of the realms of possibility. But
Fabianski soon became the busier of the two stoppers as Luke
Beckett and Gary Roberts forced the Pole into emergency action at
his near post.
Beckett then had the clearest opportunity of the match just
after the quarter-hour. The striker raced clear off the right
touchline with Gavin Hoyte hot on his heels. The tackle from
behind, when it came inside the box, needed to be impeccable. It
was and Arsenal's goal remained intact.
The visitors soon found their groove. The wealth of creative
talent sitting in behind the pace of Walcott couldn't be shackled
all night. Sure enough the Englishman, played through by Randall
went close with a snapshot as the Gunners pressed midway through
the half.
In truth, though, Huddersfield remained on top and went close
again through Lucketti. The captain was found inexplicably unmarked
at the back post and somehow planted a header wide off the opposite
upright.
But you cant keep a good side down and Arsenal had the final act
of the half. Walcott's pace again made the difference but twice in
a matter of seconds he was thwarted by Matt Glennon in the Town
goal.
At the interval the visitors made six changes. Huddersfield
unleashed an entirely new 11, but the complexion stayed the same
with chances at both ends. Justin Hoyte came agonisingly close to
connecting with a lofted through ball, while Phil Jevons bent an
effort just wide from distance.
Nacer Barazite and Jay Simpson were now leading the line for
Arsenal. The pair had hauled the Gunners back from the jaws of
defeat against Barnet in the pre-season curtain raiser almost a
month ago. Both looked dangerous again tonight.
After the hour, and for the first time in the evening the tempo
slowed right down. With 25 minutes to go Gibbs did his best to
raise it with a powerful surge to the byline, but his cutback was
skied by Sanchez Watt.
Randall's trickery almost opened the door for the Gunners but
Town remained resolute. Then in the 75th minute a few minutes the
hosts led. Arsenal's now very young backline failed to deal with a
long throw into the box and allowed Berrett to slam home with the
aid of a wicked deflection.
But as the old saying goes, you are always at your most
vulnerable shortly after you score. So it proved for Huddersfield.
Within three minutes Simpson had surged down the right flank,
beaten his man, rolled the ball into a crowded box allowing Watt to
apply the finish.
Now Arsenal seized the initiative. Gibbs flashed wide and
Barazite had a goal-bound effort charged down. The Dutchman didn't
have to wait long for his big moment though.
The 18-year old had scored the winner against Barnet and
here with three minutes to go he plundered another one.
Bursting into space on the edge of the area, he pulled the trigger
and although the 'keeper got a hand to it, he could only take out
some of the sting rather than the direction.
source: arsenal.com