Year: 2009

Arsenal have finally wrapped up the protracted signing of Brazil Under 17 international striker Wellington Silva. The prospect will complete the move from Fluminense when he turns 18, in January 2011.

The Gunners have taken advantage of a financial problem with Flu and after thrashing out a deal last month, everything has been signed and sealed. Arsenal have paid for 65% ownership of Wellington, and will pay the other 35% when he is eligible to move to England. Fluminense have been struggling to pay players and staff so an immediate payment has been made to ease their cash-flow problems.

Agent Rodrigo Pitta conducted business on behalf of the Brazilian Serie ‘A’ club, and confirmed to local newspapers yesterday that everything has gone through.

“We completed the transfers last week, he is already an Arsenal player and Fluminense has already received some money.”

The chase is finally over for one of the most exciting attackers outside of Europe. The starlet, nicknamed Ciel, impressed during a 7 day trial last Christmas – he even played 45 minutes for the Under 16’s against Norwich – and he made an emphatic impression, scoring 4 goals. In a bid to warn off potential suitors who included Chelsea, Man Utd, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Barcelona, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira promoted Wellington into his first-team squad trusted Brazil-based scout Sandro Orlandelli managed to orchestrate a deal worth £3.4 million to secure his services.

Silva can play either up front or on the wing and he posed for pictures sporting a replica shirt with his name on it for social networking site Facebook shortly after confirmation was recieved.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsène Wenger handed a Premier League debut to Craig Eastmond this evening as Arsenal maintained their title push with a 4-1 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Eastmond replaced goalscorer Samir Nasri with 4 minutes of normal time left.

With Alexandre Song, scorer of the 4th goal, set to jet off to the African Cup of Nations later this month, Wenger is looking for internal solutions as a replacement. Song may have failed to track Nadir Belhadj’s run for Pompey’s consolation, but he put in a typical bullish performance and will no doubt leave a major dent in Wenger’s midfield engine room.

Craig found himself with two good chances to shoot as the 18-year-old played a little more advanced, but he overall looked comfortable among older and more experienced players. The Hale End product has already featured in the Carling Cup ties against Liverpool and Manchester City, showing the managers faith in him. With midfield options becoming limited, it appears that Wenger may to turn to one of the young Gunners to help fill the gaps until Song returns.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Håvard Nordtveit is now half way through his loan spell with German outfit FC Nürnberg, and despite the precarious position of his latest loan outfit, the centre back is gaining experience by the minute.

Speaking to Nürnberg’s Official TV channel just before the winter break, Nordtveit spoke about the differences between Premier League football and life in the Bundesliga, along with a whole manner of other issues connected to his adaption to life in Germany. He gave the interview in English and you can watch it below.

Click Here To Watch The Video

Article By – J.Sanderson

Welcome to this weekends Loanees Watch – Young Guns’ analysis, reports and updates on the progress of the young starlets currently plying their trade away from the Emirates Stadium. You can read all the latest reports below.

In the Championship, Jay Simpson racked up another 90 minutes for QPR, but he couldn’t find the net as the R’s were crushed by Roy Keane’s Ipswich Town. Simpson struggled to get into the game as Jon Walters set the hosts on their way before a brace from Jonathan Stead sealed the win.

Elsewhere – Henri Lansbury’s loan spell came to an end with Watford with the Hornet’s in talks with the Gunners to get the deal extended. The out-of-contract midfielder is yet to agree fresh terms with Arsenal so would be eligible to speak to other clubs next week. On the pitch, he forced an out standing save from Dean Gerken as Watford drew 2-2 with Bristol City.

In League One, Gavin Hoyte played 90 minutes at right back for Brighton as they eased their relegation fears with a 5-2 win over Wycombe. Rhys Murphy started but was subbed off at half time for Brentford as they drew 1-1 with promotion chasing Charlton. Wojciech Szczesny missed out through injury.

Pedro Botelho and Havard Nordtveit are both enjoying the winter break, so were not in action.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Welcome to this Boxing Day Loanees Watch – Young Guns’ analysis, reports and updates on the progress of the young starlets currently plying their trade away from the Emirates Stadium. You can read all the latest reports below.

In the Championship Jay Simpson ended his mini baron run with the opener as QPR edged Bristol City 2-1. Simpson’s 9th of the season came after 31 minutes where his smart finish sent the R’s on their way. Former Gunner Matthew Connolly played the final minutes. Henri Lansbury played every minute of Watford’s 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest. The England midfielder turned in a solid shift in an overall dull game.

Gavin Hoyte completed a rare 90 minutes for Brighton as they shut out Leyton Orient in a 0-0 draw. Elsewhere, Rhys Murphy played the 2 minutes of second half stoppage time in place of goalscorer Ben Strevens as Brentford beat Gillingham 1-0. Wojciech Szczesny was absent from the squad.

Pedro Botelho and Havard Nordtveit are both enjoying the winter break with the latter losing his manager earlier in the week.

Article By – J.Sanderson

The big day is here. If you’ve been a good boy, girl, or David Bentley, Santa Claus may have brought you a reward. Some of you may be reading this message on a brand new laptop, desktop, or phone. Whatever you’ve got or done today, Young Guns would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and an even better 2010.

The past 12 months have brought a whole array of ups, downs and dramas, but as we begin the assent to the New Year, it’s important to remember those who may not be as fortunate. Those who are down on their luck, homeless and have nobody to care for them or look after them. So are you raise your glass this St Nicholas day, spare a thought for the Tottenham Hotspur fans.

Merry Christmas Gooners!

Article By – J.Sanderson

Wojciech Szczęsny’s outstanding performances whilst on loan at Brentford have caught the eye of many, but his rise to fame with the Bees has not surprised manager Arsène Wenger who lauded the Poland international in an exclusive web chat with Arsenal fans.

Szczęsny recently penned an extension beyond the inital month he was supposed to spent on loan, despite admitting he had other more ‘interesting offers’. The thinking behind the deal is to get Wojciech as much experience as early as possible, something his French boss says is key;

“My plan is to continue to develop him. The problem with a goalkeeper is it is a little bit special, because in a big club like Arsenal, we need very good goalkeepers. You know that the experience is a big part, it’s maybe something that starts a little bit later, so we will give him as much experience as we can as soon as we can”

Szczęsny still trains three times a week at London Colney with Gerry Peyton, Mart Poom and David Seaman all assisting the prospect in his development. Talk among the coaching staff has been rife for a long time that they have a potential star on their hands, something the manager also let out.

“We [the coaching staff] have identified Wojciech as a future great, great goalkeeper”

Whether his loan gets extended beyond the 20th of January is unknown, but it’s thought bigger and better things lay ahead of the 6’5 glovesman, with development the name of the game in his quest to live up to his potential.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Welcome to this weekends Loanees Watch – Young Guns’ analysis, reports and updates on the progress of the young starlets currently plying their trade away from the Emirates Stadium. You can read all the latest reports below.

In the Championship, Henri Lansbury played 90 minutes before being subbed off in stoppage time as Watford lost 2-1 to struggling Peterborough United. Lansbury had two good chances to score, one via a free kick and one from open play, but he couldn’t stop the Hornets from slipping to defeat.

Elsewhere Jay Simpson played 58 minutes of QPR’s 1-1 draw with Sheffield United. New manager Paul Hart subbed off Simpson with half an hour left after a decent performance from the striker. In League One, Gavin Hoyte was an unused sub in Brighton’s defeat against Swindon while Wojciech Szczesny completed his loan spell with Brentford by turning in a superb performance in a 1-0 win over MK Dons. Rhys Murphy didn’t get off the bench in that game.

Turning the attention to overseas, Pedro Botelho didn’t get off the Celta Vigo bench in their 1-1 draw with Las Palmas, and Havard Nordtveit should start once more in the right of midfield for Nuremberg as they face Cologne later today.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Weeks of meticulous planning, rehearsing and training was finally put into practice at Arsenal’s London Colney training centre on Thursday afternoon. No it wasn’t a new set piece routine or anything footballing, it was the club’s official Christmas lunch, with entertainment being provided by the newly signed scholars.

In a tradition going back years, Arsenal’s all singing all dancing starlets interrupted the eating of turkey, gravy and the trimmings to deliver their own bit of Christmas cheer – their own rendition of the festive hit – jingle bells. Thirteen of the most exciting youngsters in the country belted out the classic in front of the likes of Andrey Arshavin, Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas and of course chief Arsène Wenger.

The verdict was clear. The voices, which included Benik Afobe, Chuks Aneke, George Brislen-Hall, Sean McDermott, Jernade Meade, Jamie Edge, Danny Boateng, Luke Freeman, Oguzhan Ozyakup, Sead Hajrovic and Ignasi Miquel, we’re good enough to match those who have followed them. Including Nicklas Bendtner, Kieran Gibbs, Ashley Cole and club captain Cesc Fabregas.

Tradition is something which is often lost in football, but certainly not at Arsenal.

Article By – J.Sanderson