Championship Sides Eye Arsenal's Hoyte & Rodgers

Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Derby County are reported to have made their interest known in taking Arsenal defender Gavin Hoyte on a season long loan, after the 18 year old signalled his intent to gain vital experience in the Championship.

Hoyte Junior has enjoyed the luxury of taking part in the first team’s pre-season preparations, as Arsène Wenger took a select bunch of youngsters to Hungary, Austria and Germany for friendlies, with the versatile defender taking part in all of the games.

Gavin earned mixed reviews during his spell in the first team, after two shaky performances against Barnet and Szombathelyi Haladás, before more assured substitute appearances away to both a Burgenland XI and VfB Stuttgart.

Wenger appears to value Håvard Nordtveit as a more viable option, allowing Gavin his request to get some much need experience in the lower Leagues. As a part of Arsenal.com’s ‘Reserves Week’ in late May, the England Under 17 International admitted being loaned out was his ‘top priotity’, and cited Nicklas Bendtner and Jay Simpson as key role-models.

“I am hoping to be playing in the Championship for a team on loan [next season],”

“That would be ideal. Jay Simpson is a great example to us because of what he achieved at Millwall.”

“You can tell with him that he has come back a better player. He tells us how different it is to be playing for a side like that. You always need to win at that level and having that gives a player an extra edge.”

Another young centre-back who is believed to be a target for Championship sides is Paul Rodgers. He captained an Arsenal XI to a 2-0 win over Rushden & Diamonds last week, and he also confirmed his desire to look for a more challenging level of football instead of the Reserves.

“You see in Jay, what a spell away can do for you,” he said. “He is a much better player now and more confident in what he can do.

“I think getting that experience will give me the same things.”

With the season beginning next week for the Coca-Cola League sides, many managers will be desperate to add a young Gunner to their ranks.

Article By – J.Sanderson

60 thoughts on “Championship Sides Eye Arsenal's Hoyte & Rodgers

  • August 5, 2008 at 11:37 am
    Permalink

    Big ol’ post I made on the last blog I wanna c&p so someone actually reads it. Sorry for the length.

    California Steve said this on August 5, 2008 at 5:36 am

    To address a couple points: The Carling Cup is where we play our second team, not our youngsters. It’s easy to mix them up but you wouldn’t have considered Bert a youngster last season would you? The mixture of youth amd experience is what has made us a force in the competetion. Two seasons ago we wouldn’t have made it through the rounds without Ljungberg and Baptista and Eduardo and Bert were essential last. This season, I suspect Senderos, Diaby and Bendtner will be our most important players in the competetion. The youngsters around that spine will just be doing all they can to impress the boss further but the older players is how we win these games. Of course these games could dry up if we lose, but then you could consider us getting a ridiculously easy CL group or only League 1 teams in the FA Cup. You also have to take into account how great a motivation it is for these youngsters it is to try and impress Wenger in a professional game.

    Re: defenders – it is widely acknowledged that finding talented youngsters and keepers is much harder than attacking players. The most imprtant aspect of defending (timing, positioning and composure) naturally comes with experience, even Maldini had it trained into him under Sacchi. If you want to look for possible future Arsenal stars in defence, look at Nordtveit, Miguel and Pedro. We’ve discussed it before on here, on god knows what post though, a couple weeks back and i think we came to the answer that: given the importance of Bould in the development we should see his invaluable knowledge be key in producing great defenders in the future. But for now, when our academy is in our infancy and we haven’t found the best mix between technique coaching (which is currently seen as the most important part of their training) and more defensive work, we are unlikely to be producing a roll call of Micah Richards’. These kinks in the system are likely to be ironed out over time though, it’s only natural for the staff to go “Ok, players X, Y and Z didn’t work out and we think this is why. With the next batch we’ll try and add coaching technique B to their development”.

    Sooth: Of course there are defending prodigies. They are just much rarer as usually it takes time and experience to learn how to perfectly judge the game. There is the odd occasion though when it is just as natural to them at 17 as it is when they are 30.

    Moush: I think with the unofficial link with Ajax, we may see players go there in the future, although obviously not in the same quantities that go to Salamanca or a Steve Bruce team. And Barazite would get about as much time as Bendtner did last season I think, considering they play 3 up front, or did last time I checked, and would need to occasionally rest players.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 11:39 am
    Permalink

    and how highly do you rate both players? do you think they’ll make it at arsenal or have got what it takes?

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 11:46 am
    Permalink

    Sorry to say they are both crap.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 11:47 am
    Permalink

    Also why has Gilbert has gone on loan again – would like to see him ahead of the Hoyte clowns.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 11:55 am
    Permalink

    Rodgers looks remarkably like Randy from the Wire. God knows what he’s like as a footballer.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:05 pm
    Permalink

    good idea send them out and see if they sink or swim.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:10 pm
    Permalink

    I think this is a good idea.
    No need to risjk using them in the cups, this way we can see if they can handle the pressures of playing week in week out or if they are not goin to cut it at Arsenal. + i imagine it would cut down on wages as the club they go to would pay some of that!

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:11 pm
    Permalink

    I hope they go to a northern team where they practice how to defend long balls all day.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:13 pm
    Permalink

    Gavin Hoyte has shown promise in pre-season for me. Tall and quick. Was let down badly by his brother on most occasions. But he was pretty solid.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:22 pm
    Permalink

    Havard Nordtveit, Ignasi Miquel and Kyle Bartley are the players most likely to make it at Arsenal, even thought they are too young. (I like the fact that all of them are quite tall).
    Hoyte & Rodgers needs loan deals as quickly as possible or they will loose any hope to play for Arsenal’s first team.
    center back is Arsenal’s biggest weakness right now, we have some great talents coming slowly, but I wish Wenger could buy Zapata, he is at a age and level that could bring benefit to our first team and be something like a captain and example for the next generation defenders (Havard Nordtveit, Ignasi Miquel and Kyle Bartley).
    Just the thought of of having theses 4 players when they are ready fills me with optimism.
    This is the final line that needs strengthening to have any hope of wining titles, and I hope Wenger make a move before its too late.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:23 pm
    Permalink

    Guys totally off subject, but I just wanted to ask..in your opinion whos ahead in the race to partner Cesc in the middle Denilson or Diaby? Personally Id say Denilson by a long way. Thoughts

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:27 pm
    Permalink

    Dicks writing off 2 young Arsenal players are obviously footballing geniuses who we should all bow down and thank Gawd, buddha and Dot Cotton, that we have them on this blog.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:31 pm
    Permalink

    biscuit: assumed imporatnce in terms of choice.

    1. Cesc.
    2. New signing.
    3. Diaby.
    4. Denilson.
    5. Nasri
    6. Song
    7. Rosicky
    8. Ramsey
    9. Randall
    10. Coquelin.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:34 pm
    Permalink

    im doin the same thingas the 1st guy in re-posting stuff so people will read it and so i can get J veiw

    does anyone else think we should use eboue and hoyte in a cash plus player deal to bring in a player like gareth barry the deal would benifit both clubs as both arsenal players are surplus to requirements and barry wants out of villa i think the deal would go as follows

    barry-10million+eboue+hoyte

    no matter how bad eboue and hoyte are in modern day transfers of overpricing they must be worth 8million together and 18 million is the asking price for barry.Gareth barry is a player that arsenal need to replace the departed flammini he is a good player and would also add to the number of engliah players at the club which we get stick for wrongly may i add also villa would be happy as they get money and get rid of a player that doesnt want to stay and finally it would piss of the scousers which is always goood.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:36 pm
    Permalink

    These are the players I think would benefit from loan moves and potential clubs to take them on board.
    Merida-la ligue club
    Barazite-Derby/erdviste club/Celtic
    Rodgers-Championship side- as J mentioned
    Hoyte-see above
    Randall-Derby
    Lansbury-6 months at Derby

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:43 pm
    Permalink

    goonerguy: Barry is a Liverpool player. He wants to go there, Liverpool want him, once they get the loan from the bank sorted, it’s done.

    Justin Hoyte is in an odd position: not good enough to be Sagna’s back up but there is no one else. I suspect as more people outshine Eboue on the rw, he will go back to being Sagna’s number 2 and Hoyte will leave at the end of next season when he will definitly not be of any use anymore. For now though, he is the actual back-up to Sagna and not a serious option for in negotiations in what seem to be our 3 real options: de la Red, Veloso or Alonso. Wenger likes Eboue and now Theo has usurped him (and when Rosicky returns and Nasri might switch to rm), he will become increasingly more pointless in our squad. But for now he’s second choice RM, the manager likes him, he is terrific for team morale and bonding and most importantly, he has no potential suitors.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:45 pm
    Permalink

    IF Wenger doesnt sign an experienced midfielder, not some unknown 17 year old, then serious questions need to be asked.

    He can turn around and say; “Well, I was gonna sign Barry, Alonso, etc, but didnt wanna get involved in an auction with Stoke…” But that is a BS argument, as is saying players are over priced.

    COURSE THEY ARE OVER P[RICED! Thats the state of the transfer market, Im afraid.

    To me it would show that either Wenger is a hugely stubborn man who can anything he wants even to the detriment of the team, OR the club really are skint.

    Both aint too cheerful are they?

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:45 pm
    Permalink

    Wenger should consider loaning out a couple of players to Southampton – when they played West Ham last week they kept the ball on the ground playing pass and move football and totally outplayed a strong west ham side.

    Jan Poortvliet is aiming to get them playing total football ala his ’78 Dutch team, and the arsenal kids would fit right in.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:46 pm
    Permalink

    Eboue is back up to Sagna, Hoyte is back up for the cleaning lady.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:52 pm
    Permalink

    Spike: I don’t know where your worrying comes from. Wenger has stated MANY times this summer he is looking for an experienced (i.e. not 17) midfielder. And I can’t think of a time when Wenger hasn’t stayed true to his word in the transfer market.

    Also, in a world where Van Der Vaart only costs 7.1m, why the fuck should the club find it acceptable to take out silly bank loans (as Liverpool are doing for Barry and as they did for Torres/Babel last summer, it all adds up you know) for someone. Our best two players cost less than 1m together (kolo and cesc). I’m not saying it’s possibly to replicate that in these circumstances, but to obtain someone perfect for the role with a figure attached closer to vdv or sagna isn’t an absurd ideal. We do indeed, as the cliche goes, have the best scouting network in the world.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:55 pm
    Permalink

    Whats the fuss about Barry?
    Alonso is twice as good.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:55 pm
    Permalink

    Stew: They can also learn how to become petty criminals with Dyer and Wright-Phillips! Wahey! Cos that’s what we need! A reserve team of Joey Bartons! We’d make up the debt like that with the car jacking skills they’d pick up, just go to Knightsbridge or somewhere, we’d be able to afford Ronaldo with all the nicked supercars.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:55 pm
    Permalink

    Samuel i agree with you there. There is no need t pay stupid amounts of money and don’t worry as the club ar enot skint!
    Before the emirates cup (i didn’t see this interview but it was mentioned by stelling) that Shreeves asked Wenger if he could go out and buy a player for 30 odd million pounds to which he said yes! Money is there but why pay stupid amounts!!!!!

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:57 pm
    Permalink

    At first I didnt rate Rodgers but he’s improved alot as a right back the loan move would be great for him as for gavin he needs more then a loan move he needs to learn how to defend.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 12:59 pm
    Permalink

    Cesc was 16! We need a player who can come in and play from day one, not need 2 years, 6 months, whatever. That means premier league experience, as Wenger himself said.

    This summer he has stated (go look up the quotes if you want) that IF he cannot find a ‘suitable’ experienced midfielder, then he would be more than happy to go into the new season with the players we have now.

    This aint a job for our scouts as there aint too many DMs in the prem we can go for and sorry, but Barry IS one of those options.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:00 pm
    Permalink

    Exactly. Maybe I am naive but I also believe that Wenger would have no hesitation in spending 30m+ plus on a player. But he’d be the next Messi or Kaka though. Just in the same way he had no hesitation putting towards numbers that would have made Theo our most expensive signing (had it not been for Soton needing the cash.) People complain that Wiltord is still our record sum paid but both Reyes and Theo were supposed to eclipse that: I’m glad Theo worked out cheap but it’s a shame Reyes failed to perform enough to make us pay it out.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:03 pm
    Permalink

    Wow! You lot are effin deluded if you think that we shouldnt go out and spend money.

    Seriously, IF money is there, whay do we have a 2nd rate keeper? Why hasnt a top quality centre back been signed and why hasnt that proven expereicned DM been signed?

    Like I said, either we are skint, or Wenger is an overly stubborn twat who will try and play liabilities like Eboue instead of signing quality players.

    Stupid money is otherwise known as the going rate.

    For the sake of over paying on one player, i think it is a necessary evil.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:09 pm
    Permalink

    This aint a job for our scouts as there aint too many DMs in the prem we can go for and sorry, but Barry IS one of those options.

    I think our scouts can look further than the Premiership. And I said that the next Cesc was not a realistic target, looking for someone more akin to VDV and his price tag is. Oh, and Petrov, Elano, Sagna, Torres: these players disproved this ‘6 months getting used to the prem’ rule. In this day and age, the top 5 leagues are all of an exceptional qualities and if you are good enough to shine in one, you are good enough in any of them. There is a difference to Eduardo making the jump from Croatian football though.

    Look at it like this: VDV cost 7.1m, Dos Santos cost 8ish m, Poulson 7m ish i think, keita 10m ish. These players have infinite more skill than the likes of Bentley, you could buy a combination of any two for about the price of him. So why people are going crazy about us not spending 15+million on a player, or blaming Wenger for not spending such amounts is mental. This hyperinflated market only exists at English clubs who are not prepared to play the transfer market properly.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:11 pm
    Permalink

    Personally id like to see all of:

    Most of our 18 yr old goin on 19 yr old reserve players get a loan move next season. Hoyte and Rodgers included. It can only do them good…

    Another thing is that other than Nordtveit, Rodgers and Hoyte are the only other two defencive players who have rly managed to impress in the reserves (although they-ve both have their down moments aswell). So potential is definatly there.

    I still cnt believe we got shot of Matty Connolly, i was convinced he was guna be the next Tony Adams :(

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:16 pm
    Permalink

    Matt connolly got off because he got advice from sidwell and bentley they said he should move on.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:17 pm
    Permalink

    he went colchester and did crap so thats why i think we let him go.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:17 pm
    Permalink

    spike, it’s clear that Barry wants Liverpool, he doesn’t want to come to Arsenal. It’s what he’s been fighting for all season long, his heart is set on Liverpool. Why blame Wenger for not bringing in a player who doesn’t want to play for us?

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:17 pm
    Permalink

    Wenger is incredibly stubborn and he believes in Almunia, Senderos and Eboue, even if we do not have the same opinion on them as the boss.

    But I don’t agree with this idea that the market price is the stupid money Spurs are spending. Deco only cost 8m! You could get two Deco’s for the cost of Modric! The market isn’t as crazy as the Sun would make you believe.

    We are not skint but that doesn’t mean we are William H. Moneybags either. That supposed 70m also included new contract, in which we’ve seen Sagna, Clichy, Traore, Song, Adebayor, Merida, RVP and a bunch of kids all sign new contracts. Obviously that only represents a portion of the money, but with significant pay rises all round and most probably a nice signing fee, it could add up.

    I’m just saying, look at the good to great midfielders that have gone for less than 10m this summer. We should not be held to ransom just because Spurs are stupid enough to be.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:21 pm
    Permalink

    Didn’t Connolly end up at QPR? Maybe he asked Mystic Meg where there de-niro would be in the future.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:21 pm
    Permalink

    Ok so its clear that everyone wants a new DM/CM, now the questeion is who? Personally I would be happy with a player with prem experience, I would like Alonso to come in cos with Barry going to the Kop i can he him being surplus to requirements there, but here he and Cesc would be solid. But not sure how true these rumours are so ive decicded to wait till its on arsenal.com

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:26 pm
    Permalink

    Hey guys what do you think should we gamble on Albedla, take him for a small fee?!! He’s 30 years old, experienced, detirmined to prove himself, He can play a season or two and than one of our youngsters will step in…

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:27 pm
    Permalink

    Hey guys what do you think should we gamble on David Albelda, take him for a small fee?!! He’s 30 years old, experienced, detirmined to prove himself, He can play a season or two and than one of our youngsters will step in…

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:29 pm
    Permalink

    sorry thought I didn’t post the comment!

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:29 pm
    Permalink

    I dont think either are of them is a good CB but having said that, non of the reserves or under 18s CB has impressed me with their defending also. However I think Rodgers has an incredible potential as a full back in particular RB, so hopefully whoever he is loaned to, will use him in that position.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:30 pm
    Permalink

    But why Alonso this what i dont get he don’t tackle and he can’t control the midfield so why him??? I think we should get a player that can do DM/CM and also play defence example Veloso

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:32 pm
    Permalink

    Moushin: I like the idea but didn’t we already just get rid of a 30+ player who could have filled exactly the same role? Plus, has Wenger ever bought a 30+ player who wasn’t a keeper?

    I think it’s a case of Veloso v. Alonso v. de la Red. Of course, with it being Wenger, it is just as likely (maybe more so even) that it is neither. It’s definitely not going to be Barry or Yaya. I would be happy if any of the three were bought and I think I could make a good case in respects to all three in terms of them actually being purchased.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:33 pm
    Permalink

    Mouhsin, i think u have a point because in post madrid conference, he said he was looking @ 2-3 players & i think they are Alonso, Frings & Albelda.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:36 pm
    Permalink

    Lance: Alonso is a great tackler! It’s just he’s one of those players who is so good in a positional sense that he can stop any threat without having to. He’s strong without being overpowering, and he has great passing ability. Also, our recent midfield has been about sharing, whether in terms of passing, closing down or just bossing the middle in general – one person alone does not need to control the midfield, it’s a collective effort.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:37 pm
    Permalink

    I dont know much about Veloso to be honest the only thing im not keen is time it will take to get used to prem pace. Alonso would already be used to it and has already played with cesc @ international level.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:40 pm
    Permalink

    I dont know samuel because if Alonso so great why did rafa buy lucas,mascarahno cnt spell it and barry aswell

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:49 pm
    Permalink

    I dont know samuel because if Alonso so great why did rafa buy lucas,mascarahno cnt spell it and barry aswell

    Lance said this on August 5, 2008 at 1:40 pm

    Rotation

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:53 pm
    Permalink

    maybe rotation or because rafa knows that lucas,mascarahno and barry are all better then alonso at tackling and doing the defence work

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 1:53 pm
    Permalink

    Supergunner07 – I’d thing one of those three would be excellent for us.
    Samuel – I get your point I like Miguel Veloso too but with Denilson, Diaby and Coquelin are all going to be ready in the near future. I don’t think it’s wise to bring in a 22 year old. On Wenger not buying older players I think it’s a brilliant move if he does buy someone like Xabi Alonso, Frings or Albelda.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 2:01 pm
    Permalink

    But didnt Wenger talk about getting players with prem experience? Cos if we are to mount a serious title challenge we need someone who can come and play straight away kinda like sagna did. I like Frings as a player but he would still need time to settle in.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 2:13 pm
    Permalink

    I think frings should settle straight in because german league aint that differnt to prem

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 2:19 pm
    Permalink

    Jay Simpson is one his way to reading , Dont ask me how i no , it should be finalesd in the next couple of days ..Lita and Simpson with doyle wow

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 3:55 pm
    Permalink

    line-up against Huddersfield:

    Fabianski
    Hoyte Nordtveit Djourou Gibbs
    Walcott Ramsey Lansbury Wilshere
    Vela Barazite

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 3:59 pm
    Permalink

    Moushin, not sure about Wilshere, Walcott & Vela playing against HTown.

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 4:05 pm
    Permalink

    Yeah I thought maybe they’ll get some rest but than I though maybe he just wants them to start and than replace them at half time…

    Reply
  • August 5, 2008 at 6:24 pm
    Permalink

    Gibbs on left back will be interesting again. Really believe he has a lot of potential there!

    Reply
  • August 6, 2008 at 1:43 am
    Permalink

    Samuel – did you watch Arsenal since the African Nations Cup? Kolo was useless. He’s a long way from being one of our top two players. He’s hit and miss and all miss since last January. He has the ability to be the best defender in the world, but needs to first remember how to defend, and second get some consistency in his game.

    Reply
  • August 6, 2008 at 10:14 am
    Permalink

    what u talking bout kolo’s a long way from being our best defender.
    i dont kno how u can say a bad word about him except for when he gave away penalty’s against liverpool and middlesbrough.
    hoyte is back up to sagna and back up for clichy. i do not believe arsenal will play traore if clichy gets injured

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *