The Big Interview – Young Guns Meets Arsenal France

As you may or may not be aware, Young Guns has a collaboration with Arsenal Supporters Club France, known simply as ASCF. They are the biggest and most iconic branch for French Gooners, offering all sorts of information to help bring the Club closer to the fans.

Our link up is similar to that of Arsenal’s and the Colorado Rapids, we share ideas and such in the competitive world of blogging. As a part of the link up, we thought it was only fair that you should get to know both parties a little better, so we have agreed to undertake interviews.

The first of which took place yesterday, where Vince from ASCF spoke to me on a whole manner of subjects. You can read the full the interview below, and the translated French version over at ASCF.

Hi Jamie, can you introduce your blog? Can you explain us what you talk about in Young Guns? When did you start this Blog?

“Hi Vince, and everybody as ASCF, my blog is called Young Guns, it’s a website all about Arsenal’s Reserves & Youth Teams. It offers reports, previews, information, and a different focus on the club than the usual first team agenda.

We talk about a whole manner of subjects, players who might break through, players who won’t make it, players who could be stars of the future, and just general news on their progress.

I started in January 2008, and four months later i had my first million hits. To date we are 8 months old, and have four million hits.”

Without giving us all your secrets, tell us what are your sources (sites, blogs, inside source, etc …) to make your articles which are very successful.

“I have various sources, some have connections with the club, others are just fans. I research all of my articles before posting them, i believe having the correct information is key to build up a strong trust with your readers.

If you write rubbish – that is not true, or say things are going to happen when they are not, you quickly get found out. I have had some tricky times, but i think my site is now appreciated for it’s information.

Also to have exclusive news and pictures is great, people always respect original ideas.”

Can you tell us the most talented players from the U18 and Reserve in your opinion? Do you think that the Arsenal Academy is one of the best Academy in England?

“It’s obvious there are plenty of talented boys in the system, many you have probably heared of, Randall, Gibbs, Merida, Barazite, but i think it’s only the attacking players who get the mentions.

Szczesny and Mannone are two great goalkeepers for the future, along with some of the defensive midfielders. I think the Under 16’s and Under 18’s are very strong, in the next years you will see them more and more, they promise to be our brightest crop of talents to date.

I think it’s one of the best yes. In terms of facilities we are first class, but bringing the Academy to the fans is tricky, the club is very secretive about the system, they don’t like people to go and watch and things that this.

I guess this is where my blog has come on strong! (laughs), but seriously, we will be judged on players coming through, and we are still a little behind.”

Tell us more about you, who are you favourite Arsenal players (past and present)?

“Well, i found football very late, i used to really hate football when i was growing up, i have always liked to be different to other people, and everybody loved football, so i didn’t want to follow them.

I’m a very good badminton player, but eventually i found football. I was bored one afternoon, and i turned on the TV, and it was Arsenal V Man United, Arsenal won the game and i just followed them from then on.

Soon i was playing alot of football, it was all i thought about, i would go to sleep thinking about formations, and analysing games, even if they were at the park!.

I played for my school team quite a few times, but i have never really been much of a player. Being a blogger has been great for me, i can keep up to date with the club, I’m still involved in football, and i focus on something a little different.

My favourite player of all time is either Dennis Bergkamp or Thierry Henry, i think some of the things both of those players did with the football is amazing. Not only are they amazing footballers, but also role models, they were driven by passion, and love for the game, not money or personal glory.

My favourite current player is Eduardo, i had followed him for around 2-3 months before we signed him. I love his simple style, he doesn’t show off, he doesn’t smash the ball, he just does enough to score the goal, that’s it.

He is also a very dedicated family man, this is important too, i feel everybody can look up to him. He is a fantastic guy, and i believe his love for the game will see him back very soon.”

What do you think of the partnership between Ascfr and Young Guns? Did you know that many French Gunners were interested by Arsenal youth teams news?

“It’s hard to appreciate other fans that are not from your country, but i am a follower of world football, so the French League is something i have become fond of.

Arsene Wenger had bridged the gap between the two countries, in England French people have not really been respected, but Wenger has changed that. I do not mind if they are French, Chinese, German, or whatever, we are all Gooners, we all love the club.

I cannot speak much French, but i know if i say to a French Gooner, ‘Thierry Henry’ or ‘Samir Nasri’ they will smile, and we will have a bond, through football.

I think French people are some of the most passionate in the world, and the fact they follow the youth team is a credit to them. It’s a pleasure to help them with their quest for information.”

Article By – J.Sanderson