Year: 2009

As the international break arrives and handfuls of Arsenal players depart London Colney to be with their respective national teams, two of the clubs summer signings who aren’t due to complete their transfers until January will jet in for training ahead of their switches in the new year.

FC Zürich’s Switzerland Under 16’s captain Martin Angha is joined by fellow centre back Elton Montiero who will join from FC Sion. The Swiss pair are due to touch down with their families on the 18th of November for a week-long stay before returning to their home land for a final stint with their respective clubs before becoming Arsenal players properly in January.

Angha, a life-long Gooner, is one of the most eagerly anticipated youth signings for a while after captaining Zürich to glory in the Nike Cup where they beat teams such as Monterio’s Sion and Sead Hajrovic’s Grasshoppers. The pacy 6 foot 1 inch centre half has had a fine campaign so far with goals from corners and set pieces coming in their plenty, he even found the net last week against FC Winterthur. A defender who loves to play beautiful football but who is not afraid to get stuck in and perform the ‘dirty work’, he’ll no doubt prove to be a very welcome addition.

Monterio, a 6 foot 2 inch left footed centre back who can also play in midfield, is oner of the lesser known lights in his homeland but one that the Arsenal coaching staff are notably excited about. His aggressive and powerful approach to the game will no doubt fit that of the competitive Academy League although both are expected to begin their Arsenal careers with Steve Gatting in the Under 16’s.

Young Guns will have more on the progress of the boys in the run up to their permanent switch.

Article By – J.Sanderson

After bagging his 17th goal of the season for Arsenal’s Under 16’s on Saturday, striker Zak Ansah is building a growing reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in England at the moment.

His fantastic goal scoring record for Steve Gatting’s boys combined with a exiguous number appearances for the double winning Under 18’s has earned him a place in the England squad where he has one goal from two games. The name ‘Ansah’ will be a familiar one for regular followers of English football after Zak’s Dad, Andy, had a playing career where he notably made 157 appearances for Southend United.

Andy has since gone on to acting in the fictional football drama ‘Dream Team’ where he was player coach for Harchester United. He’s also appeared in the ‘Goal’ films and is currently working with Wayne Rooney on a programme for Sky called ‘Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker’. Ansah senior takes the role of judge in the show which tests the talents and skills of potential forwards from around the country. On Friday Andy was invited on the Hawksbee & Jacobs show on talkSPORT radio to promote the programme where he was also asked about his promising young son.

After briefly talking about Rooney’s son, Kai, Paul Hawksbee asked about his son and his England call-up.

“Thats right, young Zak Ansah. He played against Northern Ireland and I was over at Chester in the week.”

Andy was then asked about his first hand experience of the Arsenal youth system and whether it is really as good as the club and media portray. To which the unequivocal answer was:

“Arsenal have a fantastic setup. Just to have the education first and fore most is important. Whether they go on and play for them, thats great if they do, but the education stands them in good stead if they want to go on and be footballers.”

Zak is yet to find out if he’ll be included in the England Under 16’s squad for the final Victory Shield clash with Scotland, but his rapid goal scoring rate should see him claim a place in the squad as they, minus any major upsets, retain the Shield.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal’s Under 18’s ended their poor recent form with a 6-0 demolition of Charlton Athletic this morning at London Colney. Steve Bould’s outfit secured their win thanks to braces from Roarie Deacon and Luke Freeman while Conor Henderson and Nicholas Yennaris completed the rout.

Steve Bould welcomed back Benik Afobe who operated as the spearhead of an exciting front three which included Roarie Deacon and Luke Freeman. A midfield of Chuks Aneke, Nico Yennaris and Conor Henderson meant Bould had opted for an attacking approach. On loan ‘keeper Dunn continued.

Dunn
Obed – Boateng – Miquel – Brislen-Hall
Aneke – Yennaris – Henderson
Deacon – Afobe – Freeman

Charlton were exposed for their poor start after just three minutes. Deacon took full advantage of slack defending and bagged his 6th of the season. Arsenal continued to apply pressure and 10 minutes later the Addicks crumbled again, Freeman this time on target.

The Gunners continued to press and could have been comfortably out of sight by half time. Freeman did get another before the break to make it 3-0 but some of Arsenal’s performances recently have meant that wasn’t an all together safe lead.

However, they completed the job in the second half. Within 60 seconds of the restart Deacon made it 4-0 with his second and three minutes after that Henderson was on target with his second of the campaign. Holding midfielder Yennaris completed the rout in the 85th minute with his first Academy League goal.

An impressive performance from the Under 18’s who now face consecutive trips to the South Coast with Southampton and Portsmouth looking to claim notable scalps.

Article By – J.Sanderson

If you are looking to buy official Arsenal merchandise to make the perfect Christmas gifts this year for your friends and family, then you should head over to UKSoccershop – the leading UK online supplier of football shirts.

Since 2004, UKSoccershop.com has been the number one source for authentic Arsenal football shirts, training wear and official merchandise.

You can buy the latest Arsenal home shirts, away kit and 3^rd strips, complete with official shirt printing for all your favourite Gunners stars including Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Andrei Arshavin and Robin van Persie. You can also get your own name and number printed in the official Premiership style as well as official sleeve patches for the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

UKSoccershop offer fast, reliable shipping on all Arsenal shirts and have all products in stock ready for immediate delivery.

You can also find a lot of harder to find Arsenal items such as official tracksuits, polo shirts, training jerseys and warmup jackets.

UKSoccershop also provide a large number of kids items, including mini kits, official jerseys and training wear.

Click here to visit UKSoccershop.com and find your perfect Christmas gifts.

Article By – J.Sanderson

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Article By – J.Sanderson

Young Guns’ September Player of the Month Craig Eastmond has been rewarded for a fantastic month which included a run out in the Carling Cup by being named in Arsène Wenger’s travelling 18 for the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow.

The combative defensive midfielder is very much a surprise inclusion as the Gunners continue their title push with a 5.30pm kick off at Molineux Stadium. Eastmond has never been included in a Premier League squad and therefore the 18-year-old life-long Arsenal fan would be making his PL debut if he was brought on.

Interestingly Craig has been prefered to Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong, both of whom were tipped to play for the first team by Under 18’s coach Steve Bould. Eastmond’s inclusion surely suggestions that he is in contention to fill the void left by Alexandre Song when the African Cup of Nations claims him during January.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has told his on loan Arsenal starlet Jay Emmanuel-Thomas that he must first realise how talented he is and then put his skills to use before becoming a ‘terrific’ footballer. That said Holloway has no doubt that ‘JET’ has everything in his locker to reach the very top.

Emmanuel-Thomas signs off after three months with the Seasiders during the international break with his final game coming this weekend at home to Scunthorpe United. Blackpool have been in fine form with Jay netting twice in an impressive spell at Bloomfield Road.

Many have speculated where is best to deploy the leggy youngster with Holloway proving equally dumbfounded in his attempts to settle the Forest Gate-born maestro into a settled position. Yet the often excentric coach has already identified what his loan rangers best qualities are, but he speculated to whether Jay knew how good he actually is.

“I certainly know what he’s good at.”

“When he realises what he has got and how best to show it off – I think he’ll be a terrific footballer. He’s still learning because he’s only 18 but a large amount of his game is very good.”

With a solid base to build on, the Under 18 double winning captain is already looking a more complete player. Some delicious foot work and then a classy finish against Doncaster was just an example of his explosive talent. Holloway has already earmarked the 18-year-old as ‘one to watch’ for the future.

“He’s a wonderful talent to watch and I’m sure if he chooses to use it to its maximum he could have a fantastic career.”

A solid performance on his swan song against Scunthorpe United would be a perfect way to cap off an experience building three months. Whether a further loan spell develops its not know, but Jay is ineligible for the Carling Cup.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Zak Ansah couldn’t provide a Bonfire night firework as England edged out Northern Ireland on match day two of the SkySports Victory Shield. That said, they did claim another three points thanks to second half strikes from Blair Turgott and Matthias Fanimo at Chester City’s Diva Stadium.

Ansah improved on his substitute appearance last time out by partnering West Ham’s Matthias Fanimo up front against an Ireland side which boasted young Gunner Joe Jones at centre back. The banter had ebbed and flowed during the week and the battle between the pair would be fierce.

Northern Ireland settled quicker to task than England. After forcing a handful of early set pieces they had numerous chances to break the deadlock with Jones heading wide one of the better ones. A George free-kick caused havoc but back came the Three Lions with the leggy Blair Turgott doing well to keep the ball in before playing a lovely ball into the box which Ansah was just short of reaching.

The hosts failed to provide service for Fanimo and Ansah as the half came to a close and subsequently the attacking prowess of Kenny Swains side suffered. Half time brought mass changes with Nicky Barmby’s son Jack coming on in midfield.

Ireland were solid in the second period and could have taken the lead themselves if it wasn’t for England’s 14-year-old stopper making two superb saves. But as England pressured the visitors some more, they finally buckled. Turgott played a lovely one-two with Fanimo before clipping the ball over the advancing ‘keeper. A stylish finish from the West Ham man.

Northern Ireland continued to scrap for everything but Swains side were holding strong. Ansah was pulled off with 10 minutes left after having a poor game. The in form frontman badly lacked the service he needs to be able to do anything. His strike partner Fanimo was having a better evening however and he wrapped up the win late on from 12 yards.

England are now in full control of their own destiny and it seems like a formality that they will retain the Victory Shield. Ansah’s club mates Luke Chambers (Wales) and the aforementioned Jones (Northern Ireland) will be out to stop him.

Article By – J.Sanderson