Where Now For Arsenal's Released Octuplet?

At 12 midnight UK time Amaury Bischoff, Anton Blackwood, James Dunne, Rui Fonte, Abu Ogogo, Paul Rodgers, Rene Steer and Vincent van den Berg will become free agents after Arsenal confirmed they would not be extending their contracts.

With the octuplet’s career with the Gunners now over, Young Guns maps out their next moves.

Amaury Bischoff

The midfielder, who made four appearances for the first-team last year, has widely been tipped for a move to Portugal. Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and FC Porto have all been in touch, but French outfit PSG have also been on his trial. There promises to be no lack of potential club’s who want to snap up the Portugal Under 21 International. – Young Guns Tip – Sporting Lisbon.

Anton Blackwood

Anton was one of the first players to find out he would be leaving the club, and subsequently went on trial with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. After scoring during a trial game, he was handed a one-year scholarship with the side he rejected to join Arsenal in the first place. – Young Guns Tip – Signed For Tottenham.

James Dunne

A failed trial at Charlton means James Dunne has no where to go. Gillingham are apparently interested but there remains no takers as yet for the tough tackling midfielder. He’ll probably end up being a squad player for a Championship side next year or step down to League One if he harbours hopes of more regular action.- Young Guns Tip – Mid-tabled Championship Team.

Rui Fonte

The striker returned to Sporting Lisbon after Arsenal decided not to extend his deal. It’s already been confirmed that he will be leaving on loan. V. Setúbal are expected to wrap up his loan signing by the end of the week. – Young Guns Tip – Returned To Sporting, Then Loaned.

Abu Ogogo

Abu’s future has already been resolved as he signed a two-year-deal with Dagenham & Redbridge yesterday afternoon. – Young Guns Tip – Signed For Dagenham & Redbridge.

Paul Rodgers

Paul has rejoined Northampton Town but on trial. He will spend pre-season with the Cobblers where it’s expected he’ll sign a two-year-contract. – Young Guns Tip – Northampton Town.

Rene Steer

Rene is another player who has nowhere to go. He’s had failed trials with a whole host of sides and seems destined to play at a very low league level next season. League Two sides have been hovering but his future is the most cloudy of the group. – Young Guns Tip – League Two Side.

Vincent van den Berg

Signed with Excelsior last month after a couple of failed trials and will now hope to rebuild his career back in his homeland. – Young Guns Tip – Signed For Excelsior.

Article By – J.Sanderson

29 thoughts on “Where Now For Arsenal's Released Octuplet?

  • June 30, 2009 at 7:09 pm
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    Who do you think was the biggest mistake to let go of?

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  • June 30, 2009 at 7:09 pm
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    Like what was the point of signing Bischoff last year? the money we spent on him could have been put towards a holding midfielder ie: an extra 2 mil for Alonso or Barry last season.

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  • June 30, 2009 at 7:13 pm
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    He was on a free so I guess the gamble was worth it. His wages wouldn’t have been too high.

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  • June 30, 2009 at 7:17 pm
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    Bischoff transferred on a free

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  • June 30, 2009 at 7:24 pm
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    I doubt we actually paid Bischoff anything like 2m in a year, and he was free so I can’t see where this money for signing Alonso or Barry would’ve come from last season

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  • June 30, 2009 at 7:28 pm
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    “an extra 2 million for Alonso or Barry” … save on his small wages to pay for their big wages?

    Bischoff was not a serious transfer. He was signed as a background act and given the chance to show what was thought to be serious potential, and Wenger is one of the best in the game at seeing potential.

    Bischoff was a risk-free gamble and I applaud Wenger for taking it.

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  • June 30, 2009 at 7:30 pm
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    Octuplet means 1 of 8 (babies). Think you mean “octet” for group of 8?

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  • June 30, 2009 at 7:45 pm
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    suprised dunne and steer haven’t signed for anyone yet.but think dagenham and northampton are good moves for rodgers and ogogo to get games and push back up the football league ladder. fonte has everything to be a star to shouldn’t have let him go.

    Reply
  • June 30, 2009 at 7:45 pm
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    I am a Liverpool fan boys and being honest the team I saw in the Youth Cup final against our lot were absolutely brilliant. I canunderstand Wenger letting all the above go when he has talent like that coming through. Think you have a very good few years to come once they are ready (which wont be long at all).

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  • June 30, 2009 at 8:10 pm
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    as for the holding midfielder position we had the money to buy Gareth Barry (as we signed Vermaelen) so the money was/is? there

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  • June 30, 2009 at 8:10 pm
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    Sean as a neutral what is your opinion of Wilshere not getting picked for the england u19 or the u21 teams this summer.Bartley or Ayling at the back are unlucky not to be called up for the u19 as well.I can’t see the logic of England playing second rate players like Catermole etc… for the u21 when they have no chance of playing for the first team.

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  • June 30, 2009 at 8:20 pm
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    In my opinion England seriously lacks defensive options (as seen in the U18’s and U21’s championship against Germany, both lost 4-0) added with the non-existing pace of Muamba England have a recipe for disaster. I think Bartley and Ayling would do a great job, but then again who am I :D

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  • June 30, 2009 at 8:36 pm
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    Wilshire was outstanding in the final and also in the games I have seen in him your first team. I honestly thought that Wenger had asked for him to be left out as I know Rodwell was only 18 and played. He could be as good as Rooney I reckon as he stood out similarly when he (Rooney) played in the youth cup against Spurs

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  • June 30, 2009 at 9:05 pm
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    JS how tall his Luke Ayling? and do u think he has a chance of making the carling cup team? Hes still 17 so it looks like he will play next year Fa youth cup so will Bartley who will both be 18

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  • June 30, 2009 at 9:05 pm
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    I think that Rodwell and Wiltshire will play in many england teams in the future.

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  • June 30, 2009 at 9:12 pm
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    I would like to Steve Bould’s England u21 team v Stuart Pearce’s England U21 team next season – our line up (4-2-3-1)
    Shea
    Hoyte, Bartley, Ayling, Gibbs
    Randall, Emmanuel-Thomas
    Walcott, Lansbury, Wilshere
    Simpson (Oldest player and still eligible for next season’s u21)
    Subs, Chambers, Eastmond, Crude, Frimpong, Watt, Murphy, Freeman
    Rest of Squad, Afobe, Byles, Obed, Deacon, Aneke

    Reply
  • June 30, 2009 at 9:34 pm
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    Jack Rodwell and Jack wilshere are the best english prospects who can be world beaters. I would also include lanbsury in that as well from watching him in the under 17 championships he played like gerrard and he was up there with the likes of hazard and krkic as they best players in that tournament

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  • June 30, 2009 at 10:58 pm
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    By the way J, it’s been forever and you’ve still not learnt the difference between “trail” (as in a pathway, to follow) and “trial” (to test something/someone.) PSG have been on Bischoff’s trail, not trial.

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  • June 30, 2009 at 11:06 pm
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    lads dont worry about Barry, he is too old anyway, no use buying him at that age. he is rubbish also!

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  • July 1, 2009 at 8:26 am
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    Arsenal 3rd kit released….
    i love it!!!

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  • July 1, 2009 at 10:41 am
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    Ayling is around 6ft1 or 6ft2

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  • July 1, 2009 at 4:54 pm
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    hmm…just have to trust the decisions made by wenger and bould… a pity that anton blackwood dint find a team other than our lovable local rivals! cant forget the imapct made by another ex-gunner this season playing for the spuds now…

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  • September 7, 2009 at 6:42 pm
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    rui fonte’s departure was the biggest mistake i guess…..he could’ve been the next c.ronaldo for portugal…..a rare talent!!!!!!

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