Year: 2009

Arsenal’s Head of Youth Development officer Liam Brady has told Arsenal TV Online that he believes that Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs represent just the tip of a developing iceberg of promising English players coming through the Academy.

Speaking at the launch of a set of million pound floodlights at Hale End, the Irish legend spoke to the club’s official channel about a number of subjects including the media spotlight which has evolved with websites like Young Guns. Brady admitted that sometimes it can be an added pressure yet it’s expected in todays culture.

With the emergence of players such as Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs, all Arsenal fans are eagerly waiting for the next big starlet to come of the production lines, and Brady admits there is a number of players who could be next.

“There is quite a few. We’ve had Jay Emmanuel-Thomas at Blackpool, he’s done pretty well. He’s been up and down but thats why he’s out there. Henri Lansbury is doing very well at Watford and Jay Simpson has been scoring the goals at Queens Park Rangers.”

“There will be more going out on loan, its in their hands now, they’re out in the real world of football and its up to them now.”

The flow of good young English players is notable at Arsenal and the further development of the already superb Hale End system will no doubt further the education the boys receive. Whilst it is true that there are many exciting players coming through, little changes like the floodlights mean the best prospects are yet to come.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Kieran Gibbs was taken off injured during England Under 21’s clash with their Lithuanian counterparts this evening.

Gibbs returned to his usual left back birth after previously being deployed in the ‘number 10’ role behind Andy Carroll last time out. Just 21 minutes on the clock Stuart Pearce was forced into a reshuffle after the Arsenal man signalled he was unable to continue. Ryan Bertrand replaced him.

More to follow.

Article By – J.Sanderson

In a week which saw Aston Villa’s Ashley Young add to his growing number of England caps, the highly rated winger tipped his 12-year-old brother Kyle Young to one day join him in donning the Three Lions jersey.

Ashley is the oldest of three footballing brothers which includes 20-year-old Lewis, who is a fringe player at Watford, and Kyle who joined Arsenal from the Hornets Academy recently. Much has been made of Kyle’s development and future prospects especially after Ashley told the media ‘he will become a better player than me’ – a statement he reiterated in an interview with The People.

“It might not be long until I am playing against Kyle – I think he is going to be better than me.”

“I’d love to play alongside him for England one day – that would be a dream for us.”

Arsenal are trying to keep Kyle’s development under wraps but with the media hype growing, that task will become almost impossible. A tricky winger who can play as a striker, the playing style is similar between the elder and younger brothers but there remains a long way to go before we really know how good Kyle can be.

The trios father is an avid Tottenham fan but a strong Arsenal influence has always run through the family in the form of Ashley’s love for Ian Wright. A large number of Premier League clubs tried to sign Kyle but his mother prevented him from joining any system until he was nine. The future certainly looks interesting for the youngest yet potentially most exciting of the Young brothers.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal have asked Brazilian Serie ‘B’ outfit Juventude for a second look at their exciting teenage midfielder Zézinho as the Gunners continue in their bid to bring the starlet to the Emirates.

Zézinho, full name José Luis dos Santos Pinto, was subject of a £1.5 million bid in July yet that was rejected by chairman Sérgio Florian as they value the player at closer to his buyout clause of £11.9 million. Arsenal’s South American scout Sandro Orlandelli has been making regular checks including witnessing him bag a stunning winner against Portuguesa in August.

The Brazilian Under 17 international was on trial last season along with American midfielder Luis Gil (pictured) but Zézinho’s stock has risen significantly since then. A quick, tricky and skilful left footed winger, he defiantly fits the mould of an Arsène Wenger-esque attacking midfielder but negotiations are at deadlock between the two clubs.

A second trial has been proposed but with Zézinho now a regular fixture, convincing the Serie ‘B’ side to release their star man for a weeks training will be a tricky task for Chief executive Ivan Gazidis.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Craig Eastmond’s impressive start to the season has been rewarded with his first taste of Carling Cup action against Liverpool in which the Wandsworth born midfielder put in an eye catching display. Yet one young guns gain means another’s loss and despite Francis Coquelin’s frustration at being left out of the side, the young French maestro will have further opportunities, but for Mark Randall it could be the end of the road.

Mark is one of Wenger’s longest serving young guns featuring in both the Premier and Champions League, but in truth has been unable to make a real impact in the first team. The beginning of last season seemed as though Mark was finally going to make his break through after returning from Burnley, where he spent time on loan. Making his Champions League debut and featuring regularly in Arsenal’s Carling Cup side, he was given an opportunity to impress the watching eye of Mr Wenger. However, Mark failed to shine and his form began to spiral after Christmas, rarely showing signs of true first team ability in the reserves. This wasn’t aided by the ever impressive U18s side sweeping the board with constant impressive performances from Coquelin, Frimpong and Lansbury.

Mark has put in a few good performances for the reserves this season, but at times has clearly looked disheartened with his lack of progress over the past three years and at 20 years old should really be looking to push on. Despite an impressive cameo performance against West Brom in the Carling Cup, including a sublime chip to set up Carlos Vela, it is obvious that Wenger has turned his attentions to Coquelin and Eastmond in the middle of the park. With fellow youngsters Merida and Vela both being offered new long term contracts the signs seem pretty ominous for Mark who may have to look elsewhere for first team opportunities.

Championship teams will be more than willing to take a punt on the young midfielder who come January may well be taking a similar route to either Steve Sidwell or Paolo Vernazza. Either way there is a good chance Randall’s Arsenal journey could well be coming to an end and may have to search for pastures new in the next transfer window.

Article By – Nick Love

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.

Read more →

Arsenal are within days of completing a deal to sign Cruz Azul’s 16-year-old Martín Luis Galván Romo in what looks to be a notable coup for the club, according to reports in South America.

The Mexico Under 17 international is being lauded in his homeland as the one of the most promising youngsters to have been developed in recent years with some already comparing him to Brazilian legend Romario. Galván was promoted to Azul’s first-team at just 13 and he made his competitive debut just a year later as an 85th-minute substitute against Monterrey to become the youngest professional player in Mexican football history.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have previously asked Martín for trials but Azul have rebuffed their advances on numerous occasions. A quick an instinctive striker who plays with his heart on his sleeve, many believe the Valentine’s day born prospect will become the darling of Mexico in years to come.

His record of 6 goals from 7 Under 17 games is fantastic yet he missed out on the recent Under 17 World Cup after reportedly being caught with a prostitute in his hotel room. The official line from the Mexican Federation was that ‘poor discipline’ caused his omission.

A loan spell to Salamanca has been mooted but after Arsenal ended their partnership and instead re-ignited their bond with Celta Vigo, a move to the Pontevedra province of Spain looks the most likely. More news is expecting in the coming days.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Carlos Vela will commit his long-term future to Arsenal in the coming weeks after his agent, Eduardo Hernández, successfully negotiated fresh terms on a new deal with Chief executive Ivan Gazidis. Vela has agreed in principle and all that remains is for the formalities to be completed and for the Mexican to ink his name on the paper.

The news comes just days after Arsène Wenger confirmed that the 20-year-old is on the comeback trail following a knee injury sustained in training just hours before the Carling Cup tie with Liverpool. Ironically Vela’s first game back should be the same competition as the young Gunners make the trip to Eastlands where Manchester City stand in their way of a place in the semi-finals.

Carlos’ current contract is due to expire in July 2011 and with a handful of Spanish clubs already inquiring about his availability, Wenger has continued his trend of tieing down his most promising youngsters to long-term deals. The official line from the club will be that it’s a ‘long-term’ contract which is expected to be around 4-5 years in length.

Hernández originally sat down with Gazidis in September where tentative talks were held but both parties have significantly stepped things up in recent weeks and an announcement is set to be imminent.

More to follow.

Article By – J.Sanderson

FC Lucerne left back Stefan Marinkovic will fly in with Arsenal duo Martin Angha and Elton Monteiro for a second trial with the club next week.

The 6 foot 1 inch full back has already played for the Gunners having turned out for the Under 16’s at the Emirates Stadium in a pre-season friendly with Chelsea. Like Angha, Monterio and Hajrovic, Marinkovic is Swiss-born but he can claim Serbian nationality through his parents.

Stefan’s explosive performances in the Nike Cup promoted Arsenal scouts to invite him to London Colney for a closer look. Four days later Liam Brady was still undecided and despite interest from Chelsea, the cultured defender has earned himself a make or break chance to prove his worth in North London with a second training stint.

Marinkovic is a tall yet skilful Swiss Under 15 international who loves to get forward – very much like Brazilian wing-back Pedro Botelho. Despite possessing a gaunt looking frame, he’s willing to put himself into challenges and is especially noted for having a scrappy tenacious nature. It appears Arsenal’s traditional mould of having diminutive and rapid left backs is changing in favour of more aggressive and tall ones.

Keep up to date with all the latest comings and goings in our updated Transfer Centre.

Article By – J.Sanderson