News Round Up: U18s, Wilshere & Afobe

Welcome to a special news round up covering Arsenal’s young Gunners in action throughout the international break.

Arsenal crushed Chelsea in the Premier Academy League this morning, beating the Blues 3-0. All the goals came in the second half, with Kyle Ebecilio, Alban Bunjaku and Josh Rees grabbing them.

The Gunners struggled to boss the game but hit Chelsea on the break, with devastating consequences. Emi Martinez in the Arsenal goal made a selection of fantastic saves, adding to his blooming reputation.

Benik Afobe came off the bench with 20 minutes left for England Under 19’s in their European Championship qualifier against Albania last night. The striker left his mark, scoring once and making two goals in a 6-1 rout.

Jack Wilshere has now linked up with the full England team after helping the Under 21’s edge Romania 2-1 in their vital Euro qualifier. Wilshere played all but the final minutes and claimed an assist, flicking the ball on for Chris Smalling to smash the winner.

You can read a full loanees report tomorrow afternoon.

35 thoughts on “News Round Up: U18s, Wilshere & Afobe

  • October 9, 2010 at 10:33 pm
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    An assist from Jack is great but I hate every appearance he makes for the u-21’s. Don’t think a dinasaur like Stuart Pierce should be allowed anywhere near our most coveted young asset.

    A goal and 2 assists in 19 minutes by Afobe..?! That’s fantastic because isn’t he just 17 yrs. old. I think he and Aneke are the same age aren’t they.

    J. did Aneke play in this match? If not is he with the u-19’s at all. I would love for he Afobe and Wilshere to stay as far away from the England set-up as possible. I think it’s excellent that they repeatedly ignore JET. The international competetition is surely beneficial, but it’s not worth the dinasaur-like tactical undoing that our top youngsters suffer at the hands of the England coaches.

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  • October 9, 2010 at 10:38 pm
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    great just bloody great
    england are doing the exact same thing they did with theo walcott
    they gonna play him in the u21s and then play him for the seniors aswell
    i bet he comes back completely knackered
    seriously when will pearce learn
    after walcott did the same he came back tired and he didnt have a good pre season and he got injured for most of the season
    jack is way too good for the u21s anyways
    hes the only player in the senior squad who knows how to pass the ball
    the others just know how to hoof it up front except maybe gerrard

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  • October 9, 2010 at 10:53 pm
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    nope Aneke not in squad, I wonder if Wilshere will even play against Montenegro?

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  • October 10, 2010 at 12:04 am
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    I’ve never understood why Aneke, JET, Freeman, Bartley, are overlooked for England. We should be looking to bed them all in early so they can grow together so that in the future the England team can be like the current Spain team. Aneke should start every game!

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    • October 10, 2010 at 1:37 pm
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      I personally think that Aneke will be named in the England U18’s squad next for next month’s friendly game against Poland.

  • October 10, 2010 at 12:40 am
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    There’s absolutely no excuse for Aneke and JET not being selected. If the coaches weren’t picking certain Arsenal players because they thought them too small and weak for their neanderthal football at least I would understand.

    However, Aneke and JET are not only supremely talented with the ball but they are physically huge! It’s down right insulting that they are being excluded, and although in some ways it’s a blessing that they don’t take part in England’s kick and rush style, it must also be a blow to their confidence and belief to be ignored again and again. Especially when you see so many mediocre kids racking up the youth caps.

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  • October 10, 2010 at 12:46 am
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    How old is Martinez? Is he future first team player?

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    • October 10, 2010 at 12:51 pm
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      Born 02 of Sept 1992

  • October 10, 2010 at 3:22 am
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    While it’s debatable if playing for the senior squad would be a step down from playing for Arsenal, playing for the under-21’s definitely is. It’s probably akin to playing in the 2nd or 3rd division.

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  • October 10, 2010 at 8:36 am
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    The problem is that unlike previous managers of the U21 Pearce does not see this as a development squad to nurture young players into the full international team. He is 100% out to win trophies first and foremost, because this is his chance to repair his managerial reputation after a very dodgy spell at City. Let’s face it, no club would ouch him with a barge pole after that, however if he wins the euro u21’s suddenly it’s a different ball game. That’s the reason we’ve had the issues with Walcott and Wilshere.

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    • October 10, 2010 at 5:23 pm
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      Absolutely, Pearce’s focus is on winning above all else. He is not the right coach for a youth team where performance and development should come above results.

      Steve Bould has said he believes that it’s not part of his job to win trophies. The most important thing is that the youth players he coaches make their way into the senior team. Luckily, he is managing to do both!

    • October 10, 2010 at 5:32 pm
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      Spot on, the national youth always talk about development but i don’t listen to them bcuz action speak louder than words, and their action says to me “winning over development”

      As for over-playing Wilshere, God give me strength & grace with S.Pearce, he thinks he is some kind expert on young player development, a clogger like SP should be know were near young players. Can’t coach to save his life, tactically inept and shocking football philosophy.

    • October 10, 2010 at 8:09 pm
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      It is a joke that Wilshere was involved for the u21s. He is a starter at Arsenal and a member of the full national team. It is like Argentina taking Messi to the u20 world cup in 2007. Makes no sense for their development and just holds another player back. Albrighton should have played the whole game instead of having Wilshere out there.

    • October 12, 2010 at 9:18 pm
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      Absolutely spot on.

  • October 10, 2010 at 8:38 am
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    who’s this Alban Bunjaku? Haven’t heard much about him before.

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  • October 10, 2010 at 1:38 pm
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    Benik Afobe has just put England U19’s team one up after four minutes against Cyprus.

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  • October 10, 2010 at 1:48 pm
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    Hi Jamie,

    Just a quick question. What year did Gibbs join Arsenal?

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  • October 10, 2010 at 2:05 pm
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    Afobe scores his second goal of the game on 33 minutes to make it 2-0 so far.

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  • October 10, 2010 at 2:32 pm
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    Can anyone who goes to reserves games say how aneke’s general play is? its not good trying to judge players based on 10 minute match highlights.

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    • October 12, 2010 at 9:23 pm
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      How about he’s one of the most accomplished youth players i’ve EVER had the pleasure of watching (and that’s saying something). Great, mature talent.

  • October 10, 2010 at 2:43 pm
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    3-0 Jonjo Shelvey on 54 minutes.

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  • October 10, 2010 at 3:09 pm
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    afobe hat trick – john get the arsenic and rope

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  • October 10, 2010 at 3:38 pm
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    England U19’s beat Cyprus U19’s 4-0 with Afobe getting a hatrick.

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  • October 10, 2010 at 3:45 pm
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    So that’s 4 goals and 2 assists in just over 90 minutes for Afobe! It looks like he’s improved his game a lot.

    I thought Afobe might struggle to make the step up from youth to Reserves but he’s really taken it in his stride. I hope to see him get a loan spell towards the end of the season, a couple of months in the Championship somewhere.

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  • October 10, 2010 at 4:37 pm
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    I wonder how long JET and Aneke will be over-looked, these lads together with Afode are proving a deadly force for the Reserves side. Having watched them playing together, they appear to have an understanding and plays the game as a game of chess.

    What I think is working against both JET and Aneke is that they make the matches look like light work. People like Stuart Pearce like players which reminds him of himself. Lots of aggression and technical ability, but not always great skill.

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  • October 10, 2010 at 4:42 pm
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    I should have added my congratulations to both Wilshire and Afobe. However, do not loose heart JET and Aneke, keep up the good work your talent will make room for you. Only be consistent.

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  • October 10, 2010 at 5:37 pm
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    Please,between chucks aneke and josh mc eachran,who is better.How good is this alban banjaku, is he better than wilshere

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    • October 10, 2010 at 6:23 pm
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      You can’t really compare them because they are different types of football players, and the only thing that matters to me is that they are both talented and English.

    • October 11, 2010 at 12:46 pm
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      Aneke is what Arsenal need
      McEachran is what Chelsea need its that simple
      We need a big strong presense in the middle of our park
      and chelsea need someone who can take over lampard in the future and provide the spark in their midfield

      You can really compare players, players are in the end judged by what they win personally and for their club

      and I have a feeling Aneke along with Wilshere,JET, Ramsey, Afobe, Wellington, Walcott, B52, Song, Lansbury, Gibbs and Szczesny will win a lot

  • October 10, 2010 at 6:07 pm
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    Anyone know if its true that the Miyachi deal is off?

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  • October 10, 2010 at 6:55 pm
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    So kentpaul, could you please describe them and there difference, with there weaknesses

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    • October 10, 2010 at 11:08 pm
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      McEachran is about 5 foot 8 and is mainly left footed and is a playmaker who has great vision and can open up a defense with a pass quiet easly a bit like Wilshere can. Where as Aneke looks about 6 foot 2 and is a bit like Patrick Viera but not as agressive, and is a great passer and likes to get forawrd and score goals, P.S look on Youtube because there are videos of them on there so you will be able to judge for yourself mate.

  • October 10, 2010 at 10:29 pm
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    great hearin about gunners kids really :)God bless

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  • October 11, 2010 at 1:52 am
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    So Stuart Pierce wants Jack to play for the under 21s and cameo for the seniors; yet he won’t call up Jay-Emmanuel Thomas?

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