In a bid to build international relations during the tire-some break from Arsenal, Young Guns caught up with the number one Russian Arsenal blog – The Gun Diary. The site offers a round-up of all the latest news and happenings from the Emirates Stadium, all delivered with a Russian twang.
Andrey Arshavin’s signing has notably boosted the amount of Eastern Europeans who are following the Gunners and Mike’s analysis is delivered in the Russian language allowing easier accessibility. During the week Young Guns’ Jamie Sanderson was interviewed by the Gun Diary with a whole host of Arsenal-related goodness discussed. You can view the Russian translation Here.
Hi, Jamie. Thanks for joining us over at the Gun Diary. Tell me, please, how old are you and where did you grow up?
“I was born in the county of Nottinghamshire on the ‘North-South’ divide of England in 1991 (so I’m 18). I’ve spent time living in different areas of the country but my family now live in Lincolnshire on the banks of the River Humber.”
How do you know so much about young Gunners?
“My knowledge of the Arsenal Reserves & Youth system comes from a whole number places. I never set out to learn about the workings of the system but like any fan I love learning more about my club. Some previous contact with the players really got me interested in the youth system and it has developed since then. I previously have received some information from them but now I tend to get nearly all my information from other sources – I’d prefer not to go too much into that, but you’ve seen from some of the articles that they are very reliable.”
As an expert in young players, could you mention the names of three players who, in your opinion, are to shine through in the next two to three years?
“It’s very hard to choose three players who will make it. A year ago Craig Eastmond was a player I would have said would be released sooner rather than later. The three most talented boys in the Under 18’s at the moment are probably Benik Afobe, Chuks Aneke and Oguzhan Ozyakup. Talent alone won’t get these boys into the first team, though. Hard work and their determination to make it will be key in the coming months if they are to make an impression but they are my tips anyway.”
Which player would you say has surprised you the most?
“Eastmond is probably the most surprising player over the past couple of years. At right back he’s looked quite poor I must say but he’s always looked very good in central midfield yet I never thought we’d get to see him play there. It’s surprising he’s been given a chance and its surprising he’s done so well. What is also surprising is that he has been hyped up so much.”
How do you rate Vito Mannone’s chances? what are his prospects?
“I think Vito has had his chance. Some ‘keepers won’t even get what he has had and for me, he’s not impressed enough. I’ve always said I prefer Szczesny and I stand by that. I don’t think he’ll make it here to be honest, he’s very shaky and I believe he needs a season out on loan to really develop.”
A special question about Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. Does he have a chance to play against Manchester City in the Cup?
“That question is quite simple. No because I understand he played for Blackpool in their Cup run so he is ineligible.”
Are you sorry that some young players have left the club and have made some progress in any other places? Aren’t you tired of seeing how the attitude of players such as Aliadière or Bentley – doing everything to score Arsenal?
“It’s always a shame when some of the players you follow and look out for end up leaving but football is a rapid moving sport and you come to accept the ins and outs. I just wish some of them would have a little more respect for the club – most of them would be nowhere without an Arsenal education. I guess everybody wants to prove the people wrong who doubt them – I.E being released – so of course they would want to score against us – I understand that 100%.”
With regards to Gael Clichy’s back injury, what do you make of Kieran Gibbs and Armand Traore performances? Will there be intense competition for the left back slot?
“It’s very interesting because I was personally talking about Gibbs replacing Clichy after his poor form. Now Kieran has a chance to play and like Vito, its important he takes it. He’s certainly a better left back option than Traore because he reads the play, he understands the defensive side to the game unlike Armand. It’s very important now that Kieran forces himself into the XI and really fights Clichy all the way for the shirt. Competition all over the park is very important but at left back it seems there isn’t really a contender to Gael’s crown – but now Gibbs must prove otherwise.”
Cesc Fabregas scored his first goal at 17 years, 113 days. “He’s only 17 and he’s better than Roy Keane”, sang the crowd. Now he is a fantastic player and he looks very impressive so far in the role of captain. Do you think he can lead the team to victory?
“Cesc is without doubt one of the finest players in the world. It’s a myth that we claim him as our own because all we really did is provide a platform for his incredible talents. I must admit on a personal level I’ve never been the greatest fan of Cesc. I don’t think he scores enough goals for a player in his position and his inconsistent play has worried me. This year he has solved those problems and its key he keeps going and completes the season on fire. His form will be important if we are to win the title, no doubt.”
Where do you think Arsenal will finish this season?
“I think potentially we can finish 1st. I certainly see us finishing inside the top 3 and it depends on factors such as luck, injuries and how we deal with the ACN in January. We have the talent, relative experience and belief to win it, but I believe factors that are maybe out of our control may decide our fate. The next few years are very exciting, I’ve seen the future and the talent that is coming through. If Wenger gets the blend right and a winning mentality can be developed, Arsenal can be unstoppable.”
A little fantasy now. Which would you prefer to win – the F.A Cup or the Carling Cup?
“I guess I’m a little biased and I’d say Carling Cup! but really any trophy is demanded. Going back to what I said before it’s about breeding a winning attitude. Any form of trophy can do that so really anything, but it would be fantastic for our youngsters to get the Carling Cup whatever people may say about it.”
Final question – whats your favourite moment as a Gooner?
“My best moment so far? thats a tough one. The unbeaten season and loads of individual matches including the 6-3 and 4-4 games with Liverpool have been notable along with winning the league at White Hart Lane. But overall I’d say being an Arsenal fan is a priviledge and I enjoy every minute of it.”
Article By – J.Sanderson
Any news on Afobe to barca???
You live in Lincolnshire? How can you see the Arsenal youth play?
This is becoming tiresome. How many times do we have 2 tell you dat we cant view your blog, just the headline and comments? Plz do the necessary.
MainSq, you’re in the minority. Several people have suggested ways to read the blog, follow them.
As for the main article, a great, honest interview.
@MainSq: Are you reading the blog on your phone? Whenever I try to view it on my phone I can only see the Headline and the comments.
Maybe it’s because of the white font colour that the site uses.
Unbelievably intelligent for a 18 year old!!!
Stormidm I agree wholeheartedly! I wish when I was 18 I could write so eliquently as Mr Sanderson does. Good job and please keep it up, I love the insight!
what blog can you not read mainsq?
Haho – I drive and before that I used Britians frustrating and over priced train network. Although that said the club are very keen to stamp out us going to games which is very sad.
Glad you enjoyed it guys – stormid – thank you mate!
enjoyed this. thanks – and for all the good stuff you uncover and report on Young Guns
if you fancy joining yet another forum, try http://www.thearsenalforum.co.nr
good mix of London-, UK- and international-vases Gooners
PPL Henri lansbury is in the england under 21 squad shows hes better than jay thomas. LOL
But i think very soon we will see gibbs, lansbury, thomas, simpson, wilshere, walcott all play for the under 21s Could be future England stars
Oh god John, don’t start the whole debate back up again! I fear blood will be shed over this!
What’s been wrong about aliadiere’s attitude since he left arsenal? He scored against us, but that’s his job. I havent heard him come out and say anything about arsenal.
Really good playre by the way. If he could just finish consistently better he could have made it here imo.
Aliadiere said Wenger ‘froze him out’ and he deserved to play over van Persie because at the time he wasn’t playing well etc. He seemed very bitter. You can read some of the comments he made here –
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-463696/Wenger-froze-says-angry-Aliadiere.html
I too am amazed that you are such a good writer at 18, and run a very well respected blog. Tribalfootball again quote from this blog. Keep it up….
AS a 41 year old, I didn’t like the ageism from yeterday’s blog says you stop calling them young guns at 21……starting to feel very old….
Thanks very much! don’t worry about it, I’ll keep going. I’ve had some offers to write for some more established sites but they want me to delete Young Guns – not a chance.
Don’t worry goone – you’ll always be a Young Guns to us!
Brilliant mate, top quality as ever. Completely agree about the keepers, be a fight for the jersey between the two Poles. Thought the Cesc doubt was bizarre, but fair play for saying it.
Just watching the arse tv friday night show. Thought they were beang on to highlight Ramsey’s play against Wolves, he continues to look immense. They also highlighted Sunu, Watt, and Bartley. Said it will be in the next 18 months that a decision on Bartley is made.
Do you think he will make it J? We have Senderos, Silvestre, Gallas all out of contract in the summer. With Djourou back and if we can keep Gallas or Senderos there will still be a place up for grabs or a signing needed…
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great interview, even more impressed with the standard of the website knowing your age, just wanted to ask about defensive options in youth set up, whose the best at the moment with any real chance of getting in first team, nordveit, bartley, ayling,…?
HI, J.Anderson.
I read about few arsenal blogs each day, I must admit that this is the most attractive one to me and this is because of your amazing articles. but I also must inform you that the clours of this blog is absolutely annoying me.
I wish that you consider changing the theme to a brighter one.
thanks
Interesting interview. I too am surprised you are only 18, being a few years younger than you, I think that you seriously are a gifted writer.
Anyway, I agree on your views on left back and goalkeeper, Mannone seems like an average-at-most ‘keeper. Sczesney is much better, he was barely troubled against West Brom.
Too win the CC will surely be a fantastic memory for the Young Guns but I rather see Cesc, Arsh, Van Persie and Gallas etc. raise the FA-cup trophy in front of a full Wembley than see Senderos, Silvestre and Gilbert lift the CC trophy. But thats just me
Oh, ok, that’s disappointing.
Thanks for the reply J. Good job on the interview btw
May I suggest ppl download Opera mini to their phones so they can see full web pages. Not JS fault its your phone.
18, I am impressed…it is rare to see such balanced insight and reflection from an 18 year old, not the least to be able to have the balance between open-minded and critical writing. By your writing I believed you to be far older. Feeling you are kind of Dr. Doogie (was that his name, the old series with the young doctor?). It has been interesting to follow your writing through these years, and will indeed be interesting in the future
Mr Sanderson, why is it that the club ‘are very keen to stamp out us going to games’? How have the club conveyed this to you, and what are the possible reasons for them doing so? Do they want to keep the lid on any potential young talents thus fending off interest from other clubs, or are there any other non-obvious reasons?
Keep up the exceptional work.
Just want to say that I’m really impressed by this article(and also by the whole blog)
It’s amazing, that at such a young age, person thinks so sensibly.
I’m a reader of The Gun Diary, and now I’ll try to find a time to read your blog too)
Good luck and keep on writing =)
Van Persie has been took off on a stretcher!! fuck sake!! pointless friendlies
Hi J, My friend works in Belgium and he tells me arsenal scouts have been sniffing around Joseph Akpala. Do you know anything of this?
Normal questions and normal responses.
Yes Mr. Sanderson, I absolutely agree that the website need a make-over in terms of its appearance. Its very dull and boring.
I love the design on this page, and the news are excellent!
It seems to me that you over-rated Cesc Fabregas despire not being a ‘fan’. It’s a trend from many Arsenal fans of expecting too much from the player who most of the play goes through. His composure has improved in front of goal as typified by the finish at Wolves and even his technique, who the French say won’t improve by more than 10-15% after 21 which he’s just passed.
the amazing thing about the play of Cesc in my belief his composure in play and pressured situations, not first and foremost in front of goal but through positioning and passing. This year it seems the finishing has come as well. I sometimes believe he at times this year is even more active in the finishing stages of play than the ice-man mr.bergkamp. In that I mean Bergkamp would often fall back and not chase the goal but sit just behind the attackers and read the game. If he can reach the intelligence and reading of play of Bergkamp that would be amazing. Though very different players that said
j.sanderson u ‘re only 18!!!! damn man u rock!!! don’t change anything the website is absolutely perfect…..wait maybe one thing u could do , it will be great if we could post video or link of arsenal youngsters, what u think about it?