Year: 2009

Arsène Wenger has confirmed that Burnley manager Owen Coyle did ask about the availability of Jack Wilshere ahead of the January transfer window. The Frenchman also admitted he would be keen to send the prospect to Turf Moor.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Hull City, Wenger was quizzed about Coyle’s comments that he had asked about Wilshere in the tunnel before kick off. The Arsenal boss shied away from his usual closed approach and revealed all.

“Yes [Coyle asked about Jack] and I said it is possible, as long as he plays. Burnley is a very good club, they play good football. First of all we need to ask Jack to want to go there, and we need some assurances from them that he will play. I like the idea, but we are a bit short at the moment – Jack has been in nearly every squad this year.”

Newcastle, West Brom and Celtic have all had tentative enquiries with the Gunners but it appears the club have put the ball firmly into Burnley’s court, with them needing to firm up their interest with an offer.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal will send scouts to Saturday’s Coca Cola Championship clash between Sheffield United and Queens Park Rangers after news that sought after youngster Raheem Sterling could feature.

The Gunners made checks on Sterling during QPR Reserves’ 2-2 draw with Aldershot last week where Sterling played the final 30 minutes and impressed. Since then caretaker manager Steve Gallen has had the 15-year-old training with Jay Simpson and the rest of the R’s first-team and has run through several match routines involving the live wire prospect. Gallen has also spoken to the media about the starlet.

“He has loads of natural ability. This boy can pass, shoot, head it, score goals, tackle, defend, anything”

Raheem only celebrated his 15th birthday recently but already the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United are on his trail after he starred for England’s Under 16’s. Sterling made an impact mostly as a substitute as Kenny Swain’s boys claimed the Victory Shield live on SkySports. Arsenal striker Zak Ansah played and scored in the same team.

Should Gallen hand the skilful winger a debut, he would surpass Frank Sibley’s record of being the club’s youngest-ever player. A record like that would add to Sterling’s already impressive CV and with a host of Premier League clubs ready to swoop, QPR would struggle to hang onto one of the most talked about prospects in the country.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal required penalties to dispatch of Crewe Alexandra this evening in the third round of the F.A Youth Cup. In an entertaining affair at Barnet’s Underhill Stadium, goals from Benik Afobe, Luke Freeman and Chuks Aneke kept the tie alive before goalkeeper James Dunn saved a penalty in the shoot out to secure the win.

Dunn
Hajrovic – Boateng – Miquel – Evina (c)
Aneke – Frimpong – Henderson
Deacon – Afobe – Freeman

Subs: McDermott, Byles, Özyakup, Meade, Yennaris.

Arsenal conceded an early penalty but equalised through Benik Afobe. Crewe then put themselves back in front only for Luke Freeman to again level the scores. At 2-2 the game went into extra time where the visitors thought they’d knocked out the Cup holders only for Chuks Aneke to crash home a header with 5 minutes left. It meant penalties would decide the tie.

Oğuzhan Özyakup missed but Freeman, Evina and Afobe were all spot on from 12 yards. James Dunn then made himself the hero with a stunning save allowing Ignasi Miquel the chance to win it. He scored and the Gunners edged themselves into round four.

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Article By – J.Sanderson

As Arsenal prepare to kick off the defence of their F.A Youth Cup title with a 3rd Round tie against Crewe Alexandra, Young Guns have put together a little teaser of what is to come by giving a guide as to who will be Arsenals 5 key youngsters in this year’s push for success.

Arsenal were unstoppable last season, thumping Liverpool 6-2 on aggregate in the final as well as defeating the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City along the way to help bring the trophy back to North London for the seventh time.

It will be a new look side hoping to retain the cup this year as many of last season’s players are now too old for youth football, plying their trade in the Reserves, or out on loan. Jack Wilshere is still eligible to play this season but it is very unlikely that Arsene Wenger will want to reverse his progress and play him in the youth team.

One of last year’s success stories, Emmanuel Frimpong is available and should play alongside Cedric Evina, Benik Afobe and Conor Henderson, who amongst them clocked up a few minutes in last year’s run. However, it is mainly a new batch of youngsters who will be hoping to make their name, posing the question; can they compete with last year’s success?

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On-loan Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny has confirmed he will return from his spell with Brentford on the 20th of December where he will study several ‘interesting offers’ before deciding on a second stint away from the club. The Poland international admits there is also a potential move to Italy on the cards.

Wojciech completed his 5th game for the Bees on Saturday where he made a handful of fantastic saves to keep out Leeds United. Notably from Jermaine Beckford where he tipped his lob onto the bar in the closing stages. The 19-year-old was given the Man of the Match award which included a bottle of champagne and a voucher for a meal for two people. The shy Pole didn’t enjoy the attention the prize brought which even saw Leeds fans asking for pictures.

“Come on now, I do not like these things, everyone is looking at you, do not know what to say!”

Brentford fans have been waxing lyrical about keeping the ‘keeper for an extended period but Szczęsny has revealed he, and Arsenal ,have alternate plans.

“They [Brentford] would like to me to stay, but I have more interesting proposals. I will return to Arsenal, and probably in mid-January, once again go out on loan. Maybe in England, perhaps to Italy. A potential move has not been agreed yet. But of course – I want to be Arsenal’s number one.”

The 195cm full Poland international still trains three times a week with Arsenal, only making the 40 minute journey across London for matches and key meetings. Charlton have previously attempted to sign the prospect but Arsene Wenger is looking for a Premier League or alternative top flight club to really test the credentials of one of the most promising glovesmen in Europe.

His penalty saving prowess and superb reflexes have all been on show at Griffin Park and with the first-team goalkeeping situation far from settled, could this youngster be Arsenal’s saviour?

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal’s Under 16’s saw their topsy-turvy campaign take another twist yesterday as their winning run came to an end with a 2-1 defeat against Norwich City in a chilly Norfolk.

Steve Gatting had to make do without the services of strikers Zak Ansah and Nigel Neita while holding midfielder Callum Webb was also missing. However, there was still several notable names including internationals Luke Chambers, Joe Jones and Steven Smith. James Campbell continued at left back.

Without leading goal getter Ansah – who was on target for the Under 18’s – Gatting’s young charges struggled to convert their chances. Norwich bagged two quick fire goals before exciting midfielder Samir Bihmoutine crashed home a concellation. Jeffrey Monakana left the field nursing a badly bruised arm, which fortunately wasn’t broken.

The Under 16’s now go into the winter break with a few hoping to kick on into the F.A Youth Cup side.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal’s Under 18’s extended their unbeaten run to four games this morning after beating their Norwich City counterparts 3-1 at the Canaries’ Norfolk based Colney ground. A brace from Benik Afobe coupled with a Zak Ansah strike did the damage.

Steve Bould rotated his squad and formation ahead of Wednesday’s F.A Youth Cup 3rd round clash with Crewe. Jamie Edge and Jernade Meade were handed rare starts in a midfield diamond while Under 16 leading scorer Zak Ansah was given a chance to establish himself in the Academy League. Sean McDermott returned from injury to replace James Dunn in goal and Benik Afobe and Oğuzhan Özyakup also featured right from the off after being substitutes in the Reserves.

McDermott
Byles – Obed – Ayling – Brislen-Hall
Yennaris
Edge – Meade
Özyakup
Ansah – Afobe

Subs:- Dunn, Boateng, Webb, Neita.

Norwich City have previously proved tricky opposition for Bould’s boys but the under strength Gunners cruised to victory against their hosts strongest XI. Arsenal threatened to run away with it in the first half as Oğuzhan Özyakup twice unlocked the back four for Zak Ansah – he could and should have done better.

Yet Zak’s strike partner, Benik Afobe, would do the damage. After first stealing the ball from the City backline and racing through to finish, the powerful frontman slotted home from the edge of the box after being put through one-on-one by Jernade Meade. Two emphatic finishes gave Arsenal a 2-0 half time lead.

The second half was a tighter affair but Afobe once more proved to be a handful. After pacing the back four he picked out strike partner Ansah who made no mistake from close range. His 1st of the season at this level.

There was chance for a Norwich concellation when Rhema Obed’s clumsy challenge in the box saw the referee point to the spot. The hosts scored but Afobe’s 9th and 10th goals from his 12 games this term combined with assist for Ansah meant Arsenal took the points back to London.

Article By – J.Sanderson

On Tuesday night, against Fulham Reserves on a cold, blustery and miserable winters night, Neil Banfield unleashed one of Arsenal’s most exciting hidden gems. A player the club have tried to keep hidden from the spotlight, quietly confident they have another outstanding prospect on their hands. After just 65 minutes, the secret was out. Chukwuemeka Aneke is a player to watch out for.

Hailing from Forest Gate, East London, but of Nigerian decent, ‘Chuks’ Aneke has been making small yet significant waves at youth level in a similar way to that of a certain Jack Wilshere. A tall, powerful, rangy central midfielder, to look at, Aneke is a big, physical battering ram. Yet beneath his appearance, lys an elegant, composed and technically gifted box-to-box attacker.

Aneke’s first season as a scholar is going well. Three Under 18 goals and numerous assists proves he can cut the mustard in the quick, competitive world of Academy league football. Last season’s Under 16 captain played out the dying embers of last years campaign with Steve Bould’s outfit, and he shone.

Already well over the 6 foot mark and still growing, many have argued that his physical nature gives him the age against similar aged players. So therefore when faced with seasoned internationals Kagisho Dikgacoi and Andranik Teymourian on Tuesday evening, he would fail to dominate, right? wrong. Chuks used his nifty feet to jink beyond Iranian Teymourian, then his power to bully Dikgacoi. After 65 minutes the pace got to him, but after almost unlocking Fulham three times with some superb vision, his talent was there for all to see.

The 16-year-old is set to be one of the driving forces in Arsenal’s bid to retain both the F.A Youth Cup and Academy League titles in the coming months. Expect the midfielder, named by Arsène Wenger as ‘technically perfect’, to be one of the driving influences.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Kyle Bartley admits there is a chance he may be leaving Arsenal in January with a loan move being mooted after completing 90 minutes  of Champions League football on his professional debut against Olympiacos last night.

The Reserve team captain, part of last season’s Under 18 double winning side, spoke to Arsenal TV Online shortly after the full-time whistle in Greece. The 18-year-old may consider himself a little unlucky that his rash, aggressive tackle from the back opened up space for Leonardo to slot home the winner – the only blot on his otherwise impressive copybook. Bartley, however, was just thankful for the opportunity.

“When I was 16 I moved from Bolton. It was a great move because I’ve improved as a player so much and the boss has given me a chance, and I thank him for that.”

Handfuls of managers up and down the country will no doubt have made checks on the likes of Thomas Cruise, Jack Wilshere and of course Kyle last night, and when quizzed on his goals for the future, the giant centre half admits he has many options open.

“I’m not sure [what’s next]. Maybe the manager wants me to go out on loan in January, or if he wants me to stay, I’m happy to do that. Whatever the manager wants.”

Arsenal have previously rejected loan offers from football league clubs but after showing he can cut it in the big time, maybe Arsène Wenger will reconsider. That said, with Johan Djourou’s season over and Phillipe Senderos angling for a move away, we could just be seeing more of this highly rated young gun.

Article By – J.Sanderson