Henri Lansbury, Gilles Sunu, Jay Simpson and Jack Wilshere are just a few of the Arsenal youngsters gaining valuable experience out on loan at their respective English clubs. Some will see it as a chance to enhance their first team opportunities at Arsenal, whilst for others it as an opportunity to impress potential suitors for an inevitable transfer in the summer.
There are also two players plying their trade in Europe; Pedro Botelho and Havard Nordtveit. Both seem to have slipped under the radar when discussing the future of Arsenal Football Club, but they are two players intent on breaking in to the first team.
After captaining the Reserves during his first season at the club, Havard made is way to foreign shores and linked up with Arsenal’s feeder club; Salamanca. There he joined fellow loanee, Pedro Botelho, who had already spent some time at the Spanish club. However, after a contentious, short period with Salamanca, Havard left with little experience and was shipped out to his native Norway where he signed for Lillestrom until the end of the season.
This season Havard agreed to join Bundesliga new-comers Nuremberg on a year loan deal that, so far, has been another topsy-turvy experience. An impressive start to his campaign included a notable debut against Alexander Hleb’s Stuttgart, followed shortly after by a historical away win at champions Wolfburg, winning 3-2, with Havard playing a vital role in the centre of midfield. Yet since Dieter Hecking’s sacking in December, Havard has struggled with injuries, playing time, and form under new coach Michael Oenning. Nevertheless Havard’s rollercoaster of a ride will certainly help the Norwegian appreciate the rigours of first team football in a competitive league.
Pedro Botelho is a marauding full-back signed from Brazilian outfit Figueirense back in January 2008. Pedro grew up in Salvador, a party town on the East coast of Brazil, where tourism is high, the parties are wild and the ladies are stunning. The town’s character seems to match Pedro’s laid back persona.
Rumours that the reason Pedro’s time was cut short with feeder club Salamanca was due to his extra training sessions with the Chairman’s daughter are not helpful. This season the South American has been rampaging down the left for Spanish outfit Celta Vigo and played a key part in the famous Copa del Rey victory over Villarreal; winning a late penalty. The Brazilian has enjoyed relative success so far, despite Celta Vigo’s poor position in the league. With Armand Traore failing too impress this season, Wenger may be tempted to offload the Frenchman and bring in the charismatic Brazilian, that is if he is able to curb his party attitude.
Wenger is often keen to give his young foreign protégé’s the chance to impress, particularly if a lot of time has been spent developing their skills. So come September there are likely to be two new faces in the first team squad,and despite neither player clocking up any minutes for the Arsenal first team as of yet, these forgotten loanees will be hoping to make a name for themselves next season.
Article By Nick Love
Forget about that,why did we miss out on sterling????????
Cos he isn’t that good.
I’ve seen him 4/5 times and yes he’s quick(ish) but he’s only hyped cos he’s english.
Why forget about it? why not focus on the players we’ve got instead of ones that we haven’t?
He aint that good. As someone has already said he is quick and is not a bad finisher. It is just that Man United and Arsenal think they already have young players that are better than him. The media was just hyping coz he’s english. Liverpool can not nourish young talent. They rarely give any of their young players a chance. The quick players like babel and nathan ellington do not get a look in. This boy has just thucked up his career joining them.
I believe he is black as well. No Chance.
wtf? he’s black as well?? whats that got to do with anything?
Could pedro be a good winger for us?
i remember talk of havard being the ‘next big thing’ a while ago. you guys are absolutely right about them being forgotten now but hopefully they get there chance. especially havard (as i know even less about pedro and especially his defending) can’t see pedro making it as a lm or lw for us.
i dont think traore has any room in the squad. hes a left back who cant position or tackle.
his only assets are crossing and his pace. and he isnt going to fit in the midfield 3 and he isnt going to be a striker. i think he will leave in the summer will pedro be a left back or an attacker?>. i think silvestre will and we will sign a centreback.
im confused as to where nordveit future lies what you reckon jay centre back or dm?
simpsons doing good on loan isnt he. and hes a big built strong lad.
hows wilshere doing?
traore is is sik mate! he may not be a left back but if he got his chance to play like in arshavins posish like left striker/winger he would be amnse! that is a fact. hes got the run, the skill and an apsaloot killlllllahhhhhh shot!!! he needs a chance. espeshly with wilshere, arshavin, merida and those players out the way right now
I think Troare could become a great left back. The 2 things he clearly lack are desision making and defensive positioning, which both come with age. I would not give up on him yet at all.
As for Pedro…everytime i have seen him play, he rarely does anything worth while and considering his off the field issues, it would be really suprising to me if he is in an Arsenal jersey at any point.
On the Nordveit thing…He definetly is a good talent and will be a good player. His biggest issue is he doesnt read the game real well at Def mid right now so he isnt in the right place to break up passes. He looks more of a centerback to me, but here is a player he most reminds me of….John Oshea. Utility man.
J, it’s wrong, Oenning got sacked and Dieter Hecking is the current coach of Nuremberg.
Under Oenning he was always in the first XI, but since the arriving of Hecking, who loaned out 3 players on Havards position he is not even the bench.
Your right Dudu!
Sorry mate, that was just a typo!
Will change it! :)
High five Pedro for scoring the bosses daughter.
oh sorry I didn’t see it that Nick Love wrote it, no problem mate we are there to help ;)
hahaha yeah that bit cracked me up too!
Off-Topic:Wellington Silva made his first start for Fluminense and scored a goal and set-up another
That happened awhile ago
nice!! when’s wellington arriving here again?? can’t wait. seems a real top notch talent doesn’t he.
I think he will be here in pre-season, train with his mates and play in some friendlies, he will be definitely there at the beginning of 2011
Will be interresting to see him when he joins us ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ECkT3g-CkI
I saw Havard against Wolfsburg. He was really poor – didn’t want the ball, shied away from tackles, passing was poor. I’ve not seen other games but he couldn’t be that bad in one and good in others. I doubt if he will get anywhere close to the first team next season. Maybe Carling Cup or another loan.
Botelho is nowhere close to taking the place of Traore. He needs a lot more maturity before he can get into the first team. I’m not sure he has a future at Arsenal.
http://video.globo.com/Videos/Player/0,,GIM1220045-7759-MELHORES+MOMENTOS+FLUMINENSE+X+FRIBURGUENSE+PELA+RODADA+DA+TACA+RIO,00.html
Video of Wellington scoring and setting up one for Fluminese first team.
Looks fantastic.
Nordveidt hasnt had one good game at all this season. I follow the Bundesliga every week and he has been very poor. He was even a list of the the 10 worst bundliga players in the first half of the season.
wow that’s not good
he was pretty good when he was at loan at Lillestorm and was one of their best players
He’s still 19 so maybe a loan in Championship will help wenger decide if he can make it in arsenal or not
From all the loanees right now
Simpson, Lansbury and Bartley are doing the best
I think Harvard hasn’t played since Jan and Bothelo from all I have seen is ok but Traore is t better than him and Boithelo will probably be sold next summer
I would love to see Norvedit play for us next season but lets seee
With Ramsey’s injury Wenger will probably bring in Merida in his place
Lets hope he does well and sign a new contract
isn’t merida injured too?? another ‘clean; he’s not that type of player’ tackle from some trotter twat.
he’s not in the injury list and merida provide a bit more physicality as well to the midfield
Wellingtons goal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ECkT3g-CkI
here’s one with much better quality
http://video.globo.com/Videos/Player/0,,GIM1220045-7759-MELHORES+MOMENTOS+FLUMINENSE+X+FRIBURGUENSE+PELA+RODADA+DA+TACA+RIO,00.html
it was quite a debut goal nice control and shot thanks for the video!
Does anybody know about Merida’s injury situation? If he is alright then he could be in the starting line-up for Burnley at the Grove. I haven’t seen anything about him being injured.
probably not the starting lineup because diaby, arshavin and gallas will be back by then I think
but if he’s Ok then at least in the sub bench
If doesn’t even feature at the sub bench then and he’s fit then I would say his names at arsenal are numbered
He was training with the team before the Porto game so i think he should be fit now. Prob be on the bench for Burnely but might not if Diaby and Arshavin return.
Does anyone know what happend to the 6’3 midfielder we signed where there was an issue over his actual age?
I’ve not heard anything about him since
no idea
I think arsenal decided not to buy him we will know more about him in the summer
insightful article, i disagree that traore is finished or hasn’t impressed…he did a good job of filling in during our run of good form when gibbs and clichy where both out, he’s quick, confident, and has the ability like clichy to get forward and put in telling balls from out wide….he also has the added advantage of being able to strike a ball from distance extremely well…he’s young and i tihnk over time will get better and better….i fear clichy may be a sacrificial lamb to the clubs bank balance and will be sold to madrid very soon….so having gibbs, traore and pedro to choose from won’t be a bad thing as all three can play the full back role and push further forward when needed…their all young and have great promise….eventually i imagine the three will become two but only after aw has time to look at them all , i’d say his first choice would be gibbs and one of the remaining two will go…….as for havard i also remember the media storm surrounding his arrival and him being the next big thing…even though it looks like his progress hasn’t been like we all hoped it would be he’s a smart lad and the experiance he is gathering will hold him in good stead…i would like to think him and kyle bartley will be the next two cb’s in the the youth system to make it to the first team……i believe in the young players we have coming through and the clubs ability to nurture them into top class footballers…i agree like most that we need a little more additional investment in more experianced players but not as badly as everyone thinks…we are in dire need of a world class gk and a dm …..i don’t include a striker or cb in this as i tihnk we have already agreed a deal with chamakh (correct me if i’m wrong) and that possibly song will move back to replace willy gallas when he enevitabley leaves…..but things are looking good and if we can push hard for the title till the last day i will be very pleased and will look forward to summer signings and next season with alot more hope and excitement than in the last years preceding, with all the loanee’s coming back, youth players progressing, new signings immiment and a current squad full of talent i say out loud and proud its good to be a gooner…..p.s my best wishes to rambo we all hope you make a speedy recoverey mate and get back to the exceptional form you have showed this year
too long to read it all but
Clichy will not be sold and I can bet money on that because first we don’t need to sell him, no-one of the three have necessary experience to take over and thirdly neither Bothelo or Traore know how to defend.
The only person who can become a future arsenal LB is Gibbs
Traore future will become clearer – he will either be sold or turned into a midfielder or a winger
Bothelo will certainly either be released or sold since he off pitch antics has definitely hindered his footballing career
Thanks for the update on these players out on loan.
It is very difficult to judge whether a player is going to make it or not, or even how good of a prospect they are. Mainly becuase fans always talk up their own youth players, as do nations. Must say I have not seen Sterling, but I can believe the hype is highly influenced upon nationality…the Smalling signing of £10m+ was a perfect example of that.
On top of this you can never judge a player on just watching a few games, or especially from uTube footage. Plus all players develop and improve at different stages and under various enviroments.
Wenger usually gets it right on his final decision, though players like Bentley, Sidwell, Quincy, Boa Morte, Hoyte have had some good days since departing Arsenal, none would really make a big difference in out squad now or maybe their attitudes weren’t right.
What I am not sure on yet is if Wenger gets it right in developing the best out of talents. I think what has worked for Fabregas won’t work for every player. I would prefer a system which gives those players in that fine tuning phase, 18-21, who have been through the academy, the youth league, and maybe even a short spell in the championship, a long term loan in the Prem. Maybe even a 2 year loan deal at clubs like; Wigan, Westham, Birmingham, Fulham, Newcastle, etc. Players like Vela, Merida, Walcott, Djouru, Simpson, I am sure would have developed much better if they were playing first team football, or atleast lots of sub appearences in the Prem. If after two years they impressed they would be ideally ready for the first team at Arsenal. If they are not want Wenger needs, then atleast they have been on the shop window for 2 seasons. Under this system you also end up strengthening other Premiership teams with your top up and coming players against your rivals, yet those loan players can’t play against Arsenal – perfect!
One thing which I am certain about is that Wengers policy does not suit Keepers. Fabianski will not develop enough sitting on the bench and training, and we certainly can’t afford to play him after some shocking perfromances! Wenger shoul part own Keepers he likes or buy and loan back for several years until they reach the prime. Look at Man Shitty, they are probably going to loan the best up and coming keeper in England out for 2-3 years, they brought a keeper for a fairly good price in the peak of his career, and they have a reserve keeper who isn’t going to be the next best thing…but is just that – a reserve keeper. Unfortunatly Arsenal made their reserve keeper their number 1, when he was always just a reserve keeper for a club of Arsenals nature!
Sorry gone on a bit. Just one question…WHO DO YOU THINK ARE ARSENALS BEST 3 PROSPECTS UNDER 18?
I agree you with what you said about our keeper situation
Almunia should have always been a reserve keeper nothing more but not Fabianski I think he will be a future great but unlike Almunia he needs a good run of game to become a world class keeper
I think we can see it in the games he plays as well
In FA and Carling he doesn’t really look focused for the first fifteen and 20 minutes but after that he really starts to look world class and he is an excellent shot stopper
He’s tall and is very well build so has everything needed from a keeper but Tech 9 (can’t spell his name) will take the no.1 squad in 4-5 years and he already looks like a great players so we will be ok in future
But right now I agree that we need a new keeper sell Almunia and send Fabianski on Loan or dont sell Almunia but still send Fabianski on loan and bring Mannone as the second string keeper. IF Fabianski fails in his loan spell then sell him and buy another keeper and make Almunia the reserve keeper or sell him and make Mannone the reserve keeper
As for players being on loan for Premiership for two year I dont agree with that because if a player perform well in the championship and then the EPL then he has what it takes to make into the first team but if he doesn’t perform in the premiership then send him on loan again and if he still doesn’t perfom then sell him
The top 3 prospect in the under 18’s are
Benik Afobe
ozzie
Miguel
and I like Henderson and Freeman as well
The top 3 prospects in the u18s are not Miguel, Ozzie and Afobe. Yes Afobe is in there but definetly Chuks Aneke is in there. Ozzie could be but as far as prospects, I would think Ansah would be.
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