Arsenal 2-0 Rushden & Diamonds – Friendly – Report

Having started their pre-season with a 1-0 win over Crawley on Saturday, Steve Bould took a select Arsenal XI to Rushden and Diamond’s this evening, with the young Gunners aiming to step the performances up as the new season approaches.

Non League Rushden have begun their pre-season in mixed form, but put in a hard working and energetic display against Derby Tuesday, only to go down 1-0 after Nathan Ellington’s late strike. Arsenal were sure to have plenty of the ball, but finding a way through will be no easy feat.

Many of the first choice Reserves are with the first team in Germany, and although Havard Nordtveit flew back on Saturday, he picked up an injury during the warm-up against Crawley and once more misses out.

Paul Rodgers was named as skipper, and he would be looking to help integrate Kyle Bartley into the side during the coming campaign. Newly signed professionals Sanchez Watt and Jay Thomas also started, and would be looking to make a firm impression.

Szczesny
Ogogo – Bartley – Rodgers (c) – Steer
Dunne – Thomas – Gibbs
Barazite – Fonte – Watt

Subs – Shea, Ayling, Frimpong, Cruise, Murphy, Eastmond

Arsenal famously played Rushden seven years ago and won 2-0 with goals from Thierry Henry and Moris Voltz, and whilst the Gunners did not boast the likes of Henry, Bergkamp and Adams this evening, an encounter of similar entertainment was on the cards.

A small crowd had gathered at Nene Park for the clash, and with the previous intense heat having deserted England in the last 24 hours, conditions were perfect for the match.

Bould’s boys tried to impose themselves in the early stages, but found the physical and defensively sound Rushden a tough proposition. Diamond’s star hit-man Daryl Clare left the field with just 20 minutes gone with a nasty gash on his head, and his absence seemed to stun not only the hosts, but also the visitors.

It quickly became obvious a set-piece or free-kick would be the un-doing of either side, and it would be the case as Portuguese striker Rui Fonte glanced home from a corner to give the Gunners a 35th minutes lead.

Half Time – Rushden & Diamonds 0-1 Arsenal

The second half saw Arsenal impose themselves on the Non-League outfit, and some of the tricks and skills came out. Dunne and Steer worked well down the right, before another late tackle sent Dunne crashing to the floor.

Dunne took the free-kick quickly, and after a neat touch from Gibbs the ball worked it’s way to Barazite who only found the arms of Alan Marriott with his scuffed drive.

With 51 minutes on the clock, a neat move saw last years Reserves top scorer Nacer Barazite confidently slot into the far corner to double the advantage, the 18 year old is doing all he can to force his way into Arsene Wenger’s plans.

The game crept over the hour mark with a series of changes from The Diamonds, but once more the Gunners kept possession expertly, and looked to probe for the third.

Rene Steer and Abu Ogogo combined, before a tackle from Woodhouse sent the ball rolling back to Szczesny. He collected possession quickly, and bowled a throw out to Murphy on the left, he found himself surrounded, and Marriott was able to gather.

Substitutes Frimpong and Cruise were frantically trying to bring Barazite into the game more, sensing the Dutchman’s influence could help wrap up the game. Worrying Rhys Murphy was replaced with 20 minutes left, with what looked like another injury -Ayling replaced him.

The third and decisive strike was eluding Arsenal, but some tidy foot-work from Rui Fonte almost unlocked the hosts, before he was clipped down for yet another set-piece. However, they would step the play up with Steer and Cruise creating an opening forBarazite, but Marriott reacted quicker and dived on the ball.

Michael Rankine would test Szczesny in the closing stages, but the tempo died away in the final 10 minutes as Bould seemed content with 2-0, and Rushden lacked any fluidity with so many changes. Fonte looked incredibly bright this evening, and won a deadly set-piece after his trick drew a foul from Jelleyman. Barazite tried to be clever with a neat pull-back to Cruise, but his left footed cross was cleared with ease.

Lanky striker Rankine would come close late on following Rodgers slip, but a lack of composure saw his drive end up in the stand. CraigEastmond came on with minutes left for Rene Steer, as visitors looked to close out the fixture.

A silky period of ‘keep ball’ between Frimpong, Ayling, Dunne, Barazite and Gibbs was enough to see off Rushden and give the young Gunners their second win of pre-season.

Half Time – Rushden & Diamonds 0-2 Arsenal

Goals:
Rui Fonte – 35
Nacer Barazite 51

A scrappy and difficult 90 minutes for Arsenal, one dogged with free-kicks and poor tackles, but certainly a game which will have toughed up our young prospects.

Article By – J.Sanderson

93 thoughts on “Arsenal 2-0 Rushden & Diamonds – Friendly – Report

  • July 31, 2008 at 8:06 pm
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    how did u watch the game?

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:08 pm
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    i still cant see y barazite was left behind, do you think it was soley because of the amount of first team players that can play as strikers j?

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:10 pm
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    Barazite strikes again :D
    I guess that’s why we love Barazite. :p

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:12 pm
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    I would say so Elliot, Wenger sees Simpson and Vela ahead of him, which is technically correct as they are older, but Nacer’s talents put him ahead of Simpson IMO.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:12 pm
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    Oh ya J.
    I found some weird Arsenal rumours on Neri Cardozo and Miguel Veloso. No link though. Just to inform ya.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:13 pm
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    I’m also a bit confused as to why Barazite hasn’t figured in any of the friendly’s

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:14 pm
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    Barazite can’t play a bad game or can he?!! It’s weird that Arsene put Wilshire in front of him though but I think it’s because Wilshire is lucky he’s a right midfielder and Barazite is unlucky for being a striker which we have a lot of…

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:16 pm
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    Cheers Kevline – If you could drop me an e-mail i will get back to you.

    I agree, special praise though must go to Rui Fonte who led the line expertly.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:17 pm
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    Sanderson, did you have an interview with Wilshere on your site before this one? If so was it the one where the player admitted he was a Chelsea fan and got a bunch of shitty abuse in the comments section?

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:18 pm
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    JS – I think if he could play as good on the midfield as he can as a supporting striker he would be with the squad. I agree he is ahead of Simpson but I don’t think Simpson will be feature much with Vela and Bendtner performing that well. I just hope they loan Barazite to a decent side now, (although I wanted him to stay) so he can come back a better player like Vela.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:19 pm
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    Duke – It was on the old website, and it was Luke Ayling not Jack Wilshere.

    Today Barazite drifted a little wide, and then came inside like Henry and Adebayor do, so yep i agree Mouhsin.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:29 pm
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    I suspect Simpson is in the shop window for a move, rather than being ahead of Barazite.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:35 pm
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    JS – I know you heard this question a lot but still I’m curious if you could name our last signing (the most realstic to you) who would it be?!!

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:42 pm
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    I would have thought that if Arsene Wenger rated Nacer Barazite he would be playing against VFB Stuttgart the other night because he would learn more playing against them than the likes of Barnet

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:42 pm
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    Barazite cannot be left to linger in the reserves. He’s too good, I want him to go out on loan. Then he can get to play some real competitive football with something at stake. He should come back even better.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:49 pm
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    Murphy on the bench!

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  • July 31, 2008 at 8:58 pm
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    JS: What has happened to Nortveit? As far as I have registered he hasn’t featured in any of our games so far in pre-season!

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  • July 31, 2008 at 9:04 pm
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    It seems that Neri Cardozo has said on an Argentinian radio show that he is due to sign for us in the next few days.It is believed that the fee is around £5million.Miguel Veloso is said to have met AW and Gilles Grimandi in a hotel in Austria to discuss a move to Arsenal.I think Fran is having a well deserved holiday.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 9:12 pm
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    I dont think its a question of Wenger rating Barazite. Its just that we have so many strikers at the club. Simpson is only 20 and I think Wenger wants to have a good “final” look at him before loaning him out or selling him “which seems likely”. Barazite has just turned 18. It wont be easy for him to break through with Vela, Walcott, Eduardo, Bendtner and Adebayor all ahead of him. Wilshere is finding it easier as RM is one of our weaker positions

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  • July 31, 2008 at 9:16 pm
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    Got this from The Sun forums

    Neri Cardozo to sign in next 4 days.
    Arsenal should complete the signing of Argentine midfielder Neri Cardozo after our South American scouts recommended the player dubbed the new ‘ Messi ‘ to Arsene Wenger.

    Neri Cardozo, who currently plays for Boca Juniors, will move to Arsenal for a fee of $9.4 million (£4.7 million) with a further $1.5 million added on depending on contracts and appearences.

    Neri Cardozo told Argentine Sport Station ” To move to Europe has always been my dream. Arsenal is a fine club with fine young players and I cannot wait to break into the first team and the fellow Arsenal players. I have given my best here to Boca Juniors and they will always stick with me in my heart”.

    “This would be the first time leaving home as I have always been living with my parents. But Arsenal is the right choice for me”.

    Cardozo who was also wanted by Chelsea and FC Barcelona, will fly out to London when Arsenal return from their tour in Germany to sign a professional contract with the Gunners and should be revealed with the 96 hours. (4 days)

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  • July 31, 2008 at 9:19 pm
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    Followed both the Cardozo rumour and the Veloso one to Football-rumours.com so unfortunately I think they may both be rubbish. Hope not

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  • July 31, 2008 at 9:21 pm
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    Whats happened to Gilles Sunu?

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  • July 31, 2008 at 9:21 pm
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    How do u know all that sean and who is Neri Cardozo, is he any good?

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  • July 31, 2008 at 9:25 pm
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    I’m not sure that I believe it either. Could be this summer’s Juan Palacios, so I’ll wait for a more credible source than football-rumours.com

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  • July 31, 2008 at 9:29 pm
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    Was thinking exactly the same Passenal, all we need is an official Player Blog with the fans begging him to stay.

    Guys you know the youths and reserves a lot better than me, but having seen the players in the last few games, I cant understand why Lansbury and Randall who have looked pretty average are with the 1st team and Barazite who has looked a lot more developed is playing at Rushden.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 9:39 pm
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    There is no links or anything, if you look on the second page, somebody questions the guy, and he says.. wait and see.

    Forget rubbish like that, and focus on the talents that are already here.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 9:39 pm
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    I think that maybe Barazite is going on loan for the season and Wenger seen more sense in bringing players who are likely to be around the training ground next season. There’s no doubting his abilities.

    I wouldn’t pay any heed to the Cardozo rumour either. You heard direct from the Boss’s mouth he needs one more player to fill his squad and he won’t come back with another midfielder. My money is on a centre half.
    Just following up on someone elses question, any idea’s where Sunu is JS?

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  • July 31, 2008 at 9:41 pm
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    can Neri Cardozo be the non-european guy that we are sending to salmanca,

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  • July 31, 2008 at 9:41 pm
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    patthegooner – I’m reserving judgement on Lansbury because he is still recovering from his illness as well as being played out of position, but I have been disappointed with Randall so far this pre-season. The thing is that I have seen him play much better than he has shown recently, so maybe he is just trying too hard. I suspect another loan period is on the cards for him.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 9:53 pm
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    Cardozo is too good to be loaned out to a 2nd division club, so rule him out going to Salamanca or anywhere if he eventually joins.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 10:02 pm
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    I don’t think so dutchmaster, he’s capped as a full international with Argentina

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  • July 31, 2008 at 10:12 pm
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    i said this on this site a few days ago and took a fair bit of stick for it but fonte is technicaly very very good and its great to read that he had another good game tonight. Also i think ogogo is very under rated. And does anyone know the date of the boreham wood friendly?

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  • July 31, 2008 at 10:24 pm
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    I think the date of the Boreham Wood friendly is dependent upon the date of the CL qualifier as they are both due around the same time i.e. 12/13th August

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  • July 31, 2008 at 10:29 pm
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    I remember there was a lot of noise being made about Neri Cardozo a few years ago (i think he was about 17-18 at the time) that he was the next “Maradona” (i think he’s right footed though)….then Messi came on the scene and the hype about Cardozo died down. Dont see it happening though.

    I’ve reserved my judgement on Fonte cos i simply aint seen enough of him. Hasn’t impressed me so far but i can see that he has good technical ability and that he is still adapting to the quicker, more physical game played here in England. I’m glad to hear he had a good game though.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 10:37 pm
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    why would giles grimandi be present in an meeting with veloso and aw? doesnt make sense to me as giles grimndi is our scout in fance right?

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  • July 31, 2008 at 10:39 pm
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    cheers passenal i guess the date will be confirmed when the draw is made then

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  • July 31, 2008 at 10:53 pm
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    Maybe wenger sees something different then we do maybe he thinks Jay more ready for 1st team then Barazite.
    We dont know what happens in training but where was merdia and I think were gonna sell gibbs

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  • July 31, 2008 at 11:07 pm
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    just someone trying to get on the cover of the sun with a crappy rumor like the guy Sinbad that did the palacios rumor last year.

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  • July 31, 2008 at 11:38 pm
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    J who do you think will be the 1 player that wenger said we will sign i think that it will be a central defender and hope it’s mexes from roma as he the sort of defender that we need an this move could be more likly as i rember his family being robbed so he might see london as a better place for his family than rome

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  • July 31, 2008 at 11:44 pm
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    Grimandi is no. 2 in the scouting network, has a good relationship with Wenger and is known to have his hands in many pies, it’s understandable he’d be around. With seemingly more than one transfer occurance being worked on, and I don’t think we have a Austria/German based scout (although I could be wrong), it’s not strange to think of Grimandi hooking up with Wenger while Rowley is off trying to tease out that Jibril kid or someone.

    Cardozo doesn’t seem like a real rumour but I wouldn’t be unhappy if we bought him. The rumour surrounding Veloso has been picking up steam all summer and with seemingly no other buyers interestered, the collective cashpot we’ve made this summer (Well, if Hleb+Bert cover Nasri+Ramsey, we still have the Bentley and Muamba money, possibly up to 10m) covering most of his mark, AW’s comments about a CM, his striking resemblence to Flamini… nah, it seems too obvious. Wenger would never signed two obvious players in one summer (well, excepting Coquelin, a French youngster or twelve is normal.) Nasri was a perfect match of every Wenger check list, he’s gotta work us harder than to have another perfect match. I love Wenger’s market skills and savvy, but it doesn’t feel right if frustration and doubt weren’t involved. I couldn’t possibly just feel happy and secure about our team, it’s too easy I tells thee.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 4:04 am
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    maybe barazite been left out because wenger still dont know which position best for him. i think many fans also not sure barazite a natural striker or better play attacking midfilder. when he came on during carling cup last year he play wide right. but most his reserve game as a striker. so maybe he can play well both position but as a striker many players ahead him. i think he best play on wide but do he have defensive dicipline to track back opponent? maybe wenger will give a clue if barazite get play time this emirates cup.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 4:32 am
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    it seems AW got to many option in striker position. IMO, if AW wants Nacer got more play time, he would place him on wide position as a backup for our winger..

    i hope Nacer will be included in the first team after his (rumor) loan spell.. let see it in d future..

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  • August 1, 2008 at 5:19 am
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    Neri Cardizo the new Messi? Ha! Don’t make me laugh. Believe me, I’ve seen him play, I’m from Argentina, and that is just bollocks. He’s an OK player and no more. He hasn’t been playing well in the last months even. He’s too concentrated on his personal WAG.

    I think Arsène is smart enough not to buy this guy.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 5:44 am
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    Barazite is to good for the reserves ( amazing player )
    Let him do experence with the first team or on loan.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 8:33 am
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    Non Edible Nacho said this on August 1, 2008 at 5:19 am

    I dunno, after turning Adebayor from being that crap player who can’t get into the team at monaco into a 30 goal striker, i personally think the man is too smart to go on the fans reactions on who to buy. But yeah, he’s no Messi.

    The thing is that we might be scouting Boca or Argentinian u21s or something though. Rumours can often give us an indication of kind of where the club is (us linked to Modric many times only to buy Eduardo; take a stab in the dark at any french player; this renewed interest in udinese players etc.) when looking for players. We know, for example, that we are looking for the best south american prospects to offer to our feeder club. I can’t personally think it would be a 21 year old but there may be a special 17 year old at Boca or something.

    That or dude’s agent just said to mention us, it got Babel a proper job last season.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 8:38 am
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    patthegooner I have just heard on shy that within each 25 man champions league squad there must 4 homegrown players and a further 4 who have grown from the books of another club within that country. Can anyone confirm that? It could be why the likes of G.Hoyte, Simpson, Lansbury and Randall look set for squad numbers allocated in Austria. Its called the 4 + 4 rule not to be confused with 6 + 5

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  • August 1, 2008 at 8:57 am
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    yeh i think they just mentioned that on sky sports news, if i remember rightly its a player thats has been trained at the club for at least 3 years between the ages of 15 an 21 or something similar to that and can be any nationality, so must have plenty of those. cesc, clichy, j hoyte mayabe denilson out of the first team

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  • August 1, 2008 at 8:57 am
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    pat puts it a way that might be confusing, so here it is:

    Every team must declare at least 8 homegrown players (players that have played at least 3 seasons before the age of 21 in that country):

    At least 4 of them have to have gained their HG status at the club.
    The other 4, if the club was to only achieve the minimum target, can be trained by any other club in the country for a HG status.

    Squads can only declare 25 players in their squad.

    I assume we will declare as our homegrown players: Walcott, Bendtner, Fabregas, Clichy, Senderos, Djorou, Traore, Hoyte and maybe a couple of the kids.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 9:02 am
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    Of course with Platini trying to cut down on players under 18 being sold (he says “stolen”, i say finding the most appropriate club for them. Unless it’s Chelsea.), this could all be subject to change. But for now it’s as I put above.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 9:33 am
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    setanta sports are reporting Inler’s agent has flown in to discuss the possiblity of Inler’s transfer. Looks like he can be the extra body Arsene Wenger wants. Affordably, fairly experienced, not yet a superstar, will have to fight for a first team place…

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  • August 1, 2008 at 10:28 am
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    Yess!! Arsenal got FC Twente :D another match I can attend hopefully if I can get some tickets!!

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  • August 1, 2008 at 10:32 am
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    Inler looks rubbish, Udinese say there hasen’t been any contact and agents are bullshit. If he’s flying over it’s most probably to go see Keegan but mentioning us for more cash. I think it’s Veloso.

    Ah, Stevo McLaren.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 10:44 am
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    barazite’s by far better than adebayo. sell adebayo and include barazite in the first team. i dont think he’s too young. cuz barcelona’s got bohan striking for em. so why cant we have barazite.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 10:59 am
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    u guys read the news from goal.com? it said mclaren reunion from hell with english football. i cant agree more. for that club to get this far was tough enough, now they have to face arsenal. their moral must all time low or i hope not all time high.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 11:46 am
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    boozyinc, who are you? another ignorant kiddo, Bojan & santos were 2 of most overrated young players last year. To compare young players with decent potential to Adebayor [established international forward] is totally beyond me. You didnt even compare their attributes. Moron

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  • August 1, 2008 at 11:49 am
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    I got the feeling Ade will go next year and there will be no replacement. Nacer will get the promotion we have all been crying out for. He will be even better then after an extra year’s experience under his belt. That would be the greatest thing ever!

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  • August 1, 2008 at 12:01 pm
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    FC Twente are a good side. Potential banana skin.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 12:08 pm
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    With Adebayor, as i ahve said if he is to go i already think that we have a replacement in Bendtner. Same sort of build, same type of player. And by looking at pre-season he seems to have come back very hungry, his touch is looking pretty classy now! He is plucking balls from the air and either scoring or creating scoring chances! + he is still young.
    Also i can’t help but feel that we aren’t in for inler. Anyone notice that whenever there is an article on him goin to Arsenal it still says about Newcastles interest, i feel tht it is the agent doin the rounds to try an big his player up.
    If it is true about him i have no judgement either way as i will be honest, i know nothin about him.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 12:11 pm
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    Poppy, i agree with the feelin on FC Twente. Mclaren is a good club coach (notice i said CLUB coach). Funkin clueless when it comes to national teams but no doubt they will be playin with no fear as what do they have to lose? Not many people really expected them to get this far so playin with no pressure is way better than our stance where every single game this season will be under the spotlight from press and fans alike!

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  • August 1, 2008 at 12:12 pm
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    *Fukin clueless haha

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  • August 1, 2008 at 12:25 pm
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    Oh Gawd! Murphy injured AGAIN!

    Nooooooo!

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  • August 1, 2008 at 12:51 pm
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    FC Twente should be accounted for with little trouble. They lost their captain in Engelaar to Schalke and their talismanic striker Blaise Kufo is 33 years old.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 1:55 pm
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    hey j great article what you think the twente scores will be? will it be easy for us? do you see any of the younger players playing if AW feels that comfortable that we will go through after the 1st leg? and done some research on this blog its currently worth an estimated $38974.7 and can get i think it was $53 advertisig revenue per day…nice little earner dunno if you are getting paid the $53 but just think $53 x 30 =$1590 a month (y)

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  • August 1, 2008 at 2:41 pm
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    No doubt Clacko. Nikki is better than Ade right now. Even if we dont sell the twat this summer i think he should be benched for Nikki. Our best strike force right now is Bendtner and RVP. Vela could substitute for any of them two. Ade should be 4rd choice til Eddy comes back (probably November time), then demote him to 5th choice. That’ll serve the prat right!

    Mouhsin – If ur out there. Enlighten us a little more on FC Twente if u can mate. Cheers.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 2:57 pm
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    yeh but bendtner started pre season lookin like a donkey and has come good so what makes u think ade wont do the same

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  • August 1, 2008 at 3:12 pm
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    Cos Ade dont know how the offside rule works!

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  • August 1, 2008 at 3:17 pm
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    yeah let’s humiliate and totally devalue a £25m asset. good idea.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 3:31 pm
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    ha good point! it would be amazin to see how many chances he would get if he could stay onside

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  • August 1, 2008 at 3:35 pm
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    Clacko the Gooner, Even though Bendtner is very talented & his development is looking very promising 1. where is Bendtner going to get Ade’s pace from? 2. Bendtner is currently still too inconsistent to be relied upon as a 1st choice 3. have you not noticied Bendtner’s ability to our box is still poor in comparison to Ade 4. Ade’s workrate is much better than Bendtner which takes slight pressure off midfielders

    Small details in players’ ability matters when it comes to putting together a TEAM [not strikers scoring goals and going forward only] just like Drogba’s influence in both boxes.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 3:39 pm
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    If someone tought Adebayor the offside rule, he’d score more than Hugh Hefener.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 3:41 pm
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    Twente dangerman upfront is Blaise N’Kufo, he scored most their goals last season

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  • August 1, 2008 at 3:44 pm
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    I expect McClown to set them up in a very rigid & structured manner. Probably sitting on the edge of their box and trying to get something from Set Pieces

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  • August 1, 2008 at 4:05 pm
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    TJ – FC Twente is a decent side but they lost some very important players over the past two seasons. Engelaar, El Ahmadi, Aissati, Bakkal all play for big clubs now and have been influential to the sides success over the past two years. Not only the players but also Fred Rutten (who is now coach of Schalke 04 and was a former apprentice of Guus Hiddink at PSV) played a big part in the succes with his attacking football. He combined experience with youth.

    They beat Ajax in the play-offs with spirit and commitment as they didn’t play their usual attacking football, getting the play off ticket for the CL.

    I don’t think they will get the better of us or suprise us as their squad is really weakened. We have better players in every position and the fans aren’t expecting any wonders.

    They also play in Vitesse Arnhem’s Gelredome stadium instead of their own due to expansion work.

    Players to watch are N’kufo (Striker who scores at least 20 goals every season), Eljiro Elia (Pacy winger), Douglas (Brazilian centre back who was the revelation for Twente last season, strong and decent)

    We have better players in every season and I expect that we can beat them comfortably, 2-0 away and 3-0 at home.

    Hopefully Vela can get a goal on his official debut in Twente cause I’m getting my tickets monday

    Cheers TJ

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  • August 1, 2008 at 4:16 pm
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    mouhsin u seem to know a lot from Holland, totally of topic but do you a singer from Holland called Imran khan ?

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  • August 1, 2008 at 5:10 pm
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    I don’t know much about him but I know the song with lucky, is he indian?!! The song is nice by the way (Y)

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  • August 1, 2008 at 5:14 pm
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    Hi anyone selling two tickets for arsenal vs juventus or arsenal vs real madrid willing let me know on timecode4@yahoo.com, cheers

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  • August 1, 2008 at 5:19 pm
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    Mouhsin – Top man. Cheers. I like the look of Bakkal. Where did he move to? How much?

    Supergunner – Bendtner is actually quite fast once he gets into his stride. A bit like Ade (who hasn’t exactly got electric pace). As for his workrate…thats part of the next step of his development. Plus he is hungry for that spot so will definitely work harder this year. Ade’s ego will make him go backwards i believe. Once you feel ur too good you stop working for the good of the team, a bit like TH14 in his last season with us and Berbatov last year. Even Ade started doing it a little last year. I think everyone will also agree that Nikki is more clinical in front of goal too, plus he aint selfish, wanting all the attention for himself like Ade does. He actually looks to play in his strike partner.

    The fact of the matter is i didnt like Ade last year when he was banging in goals willy nilly cos he flops too many of our moves with his inability to pay attention to the play behind him AND watch the line at the same time. I love players that play with their brain ala Cesc, Scholes, Berbatov, Ronaldinho, Messi, DB10, Torres, Schneider (sp?), RVP, ZZ, Pires, Zola, Deco, Kaka etc. That list can go on and on. Despite all the qualities he possesses, Ade does not have that quintessential “footballing brain” to be a top class player. Nikki B does, as does Vela, Eduardo, RVP (as i have mentioned) and Barazite too. They can reach the very top but not ade. Trust me.

    J – Is the world of AFC really that quiet? No new story for us today mate? :(

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  • August 1, 2008 at 5:31 pm
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    yeee the songgg is great no he is from Pakistan.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 5:53 pm
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    TJ – Bakkal and Aissati are youth products from PSV eindhoven, they were both loand out to FC Twente. Fred Rutten who worked as assistent coach under Guus Hiddink when he was at PSV brought them in and guided them into the players they are now. Sadly Aissati had to leave because the former coaches Koeman and Vergoossen chose for defensive balance instead of his passing and vision. Aissati is known as the brightest talent in Holland and Ajax snapped him up to replace Wesley Sneijder as their new number 10 player. Bakkal is a regular in PSV’s first team and played most of the matches last season, he is a hard working and strong midfielder and he is known for his forward runs from the midfield. He has a good technique and had a good shot. He recently signed an extension for his good perfermance last season.

    and about Ade if he can improve his first touches, and improve his awereness in front he is a menace to every defense. I know a lot of people critise him because of his attitude and his clumsyness. I also like to see some one like Villa with his deft touches instead of Ade’s clmusyness but he is like many other strikers who don’t have the great technique still banging them in. Toni, Huntelaar, van Nistelrooy etc aren’t technically that great although you can debate on van Nistelrooy but anyway they score goals. As long as Ade scores goals for us we should give him some credit. We’ll see if he can produce 30 goals again this season, if he doesn’t than we should sell him to Barca :P

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  • August 1, 2008 at 6:02 pm
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    Thanks mate….If Ade had a good first touch, good timing with his runs and was a little more clinical in front of goal then he would be one of the best strikers that ever lived. He HAS to improve on his weak points for the good of our club if AW persists with him.

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  • August 1, 2008 at 6:05 pm
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    BTW…i do admire the way he makes life difficult for defenders but Nikki is starting to learn how to use his own strength to shield the ball from defenders and get the better of them. One thing i have already noticed this pre-season. So Ade needs to watch out and first and foremost, must show a committed attitude after his crap this summer which i think he will….so we’ll see….

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  • August 1, 2008 at 6:11 pm
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    guys im watching the spurs game, Bentley just scored, but man bale is having some game. whats your opinions of his talent ?

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  • August 1, 2008 at 6:17 pm
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    I agree TJ and Bendtner will surely give him a hard time but the problem with Bendtner sometimes is that he doesn’t look to have the same passion and the will to work hard in front as Ade. Make runs, be physical, I’ve seen games where he faded away. Anyway they both have to improve a lot and I think that they both know they that, what luxery do we have in front Adebayor, Bendtner, van Persie, Vela, Eduardo. Happy days :D

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  • August 1, 2008 at 6:21 pm
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    TJ even though you have a point that his football imagination is not as good as it should be But your other point is useless. As i previously stated in my comment Ade brings alot more to the team than just goals.

    If bendtner was reasonably fast, why does wenger not play him on the shoulder of the last defender and to make your point worse, every time Bendtner played with Eduardo or VP, who played short? it was bendtner therefore its like saying Bergkamp is my main goal getter.

    Everyone understands that Ade is starting to get Ego but tell a world class striker who doesnt, it comes with the territory. For me, the 2 best striker in the world in the world is Ade & drogba, without Ade we would have been nowhere last season. Difference Ade = consistentcy & Bendtner = not yet consistent.

    Check the conversion rate of both players on JS’s previous blog below.

    http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2008/07/15/opta-stats-vela-versus-arsenals-other-strikers/

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  • August 1, 2008 at 6:43 pm
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    I understand your point supergunner but i aint suggesting we play Bendtner on the shoulder of the last defender. I am simply stating that he has got some pace. He is better in the Bergkamp role than the top striker role as he has good vision (something Ade doesn’t have). Can you EVER imagine Adebayor playing that pass to Vela for the equaliser against Stuttgart? Plus your’re missing the fact that Nikki is 4 years younger than him. There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that Bendtner will be a better player than him sometime soon if he is given the chances.

    PLUS….its absolute ludicrous comparing their stats last season. Being the top striker like Ade was last year does so much for your confidence and it showed. Hence, he was crap when TH14 was still around….he always tried but he was not ready. Nikki B had his first ever premier league campaign in the last one. Adebayor is definitely NOT consistent mate. Consistent does not mean going 6-7 games without scoring. I think TH only did that once in his Arsenal career. If you wanna compare Nikki and Ade, compare Ade’s first season in the EPL (goals tally, assists tally) and then compare Bendtner’s tally last season.

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