Author: Staff Writer

Yesterday, the North American continent’s Premier International competition kicked off in the United States, with Carlos Vela hoping to make a strong impression on the tournament.

12 teams from North America and the Caribbean are fighting it out for the trophy, with Mexico billed as joint favourites with the USA. Indeed, it seems almost a given that Vela’s country will qualify to the knock-out stages, with their group consisting of Nicaragua, Panama and Guadeloupe. Their campaign kicks off against Nicaragua in a few hours and it looks very likely that Vela will spearhead their attacking play.

Mexico have been in very poor form in recent times, trailing Costa Rica, the US and Honduras in their bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Vela spoke about this ahead of the competition and was at a loss to explain why this was the case:

“I don’t know. Maybe the midfield, ourselves, I don’t know. It’s been something very rigorous, something very drastic. I hope that now things will go on normally.”

In Vela, Mexico have one of the best young players in World football and he’ll be looking to impress ahead of pre-season, the start of which he will miss. Whatever happens in the competition, you can be sure that Carlos will play an important role and Young Guns will be bringing you details of his performances as the Tournament progresses.

Article By – Gianni Sonvico

Young Guns is proud to announce the inaugural ‘Blogger Idol’ competition. Covering Arsenal’s Reserves & Youth is a tough but rewarding job, and in this special talent search we’re seeking the next blogging sensation to help provide coverage ahead of the new season.

If you’ve ever wanted to get into journalism and have your work published for people all over the world to read, then Blogger Idol really is for you. Young Guns is one of the biggest Arsenal related sites out there, and is the number one source for all things to do with Arsenal’s Reserves and Youth. We attract an average of 10,000 – 15,000 hits a day and our articles have been featured on football sites worldwide.

So what do you have to do to enter? well it’s simple. You first need to make sure you have at least an hour and half a day free to research and write articles and keep up to date with what’s going on in the world of Arsenal. There is no age limit on who can enter, and all you need to get started is to send us an e-mail telling us why you think you deserve to win Blogger Idol. Contact details are found below.

Your reasons will be judged by three people. Firstly myself, J.Sanderson, and I’ll be assisted by Kelvin Lye and Ahmed Khoory. Kelvin is a self confessed Arsenal addict and a good friend of the site. He has experience in the blogging field and brings an intelligent, clam and rational approach to the table. He was clearly excited about his new role.

“It’s my pleasure to be part of this Young Guns project and I will foresee that this project will bring a quality writer to further enhance Young Guns’ position as a reputable source of information for Arsenal Youth and Reserves.”

Ahmed Khoory is head moderator on one of the biggest non-English speaking Arsenal forums. Based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Ahmed will offer a no nonsense approach to judging and will be firm but fair in the search for the best blogger possible. He, like Kelvin, spoke about being made a judge of this project.

“It’s my honor to be an official judge for this exciting project that Young Guns has launched. There is a huge responsibility on me due to the success of Young Guns and I’m sure this project will only enhance its position and increase its achievements.”

For all interested parties, in under 200 words tell us why you want to win Blogger Idol. Send your reasons by midnight Saturday the 4th of July to the e-mail address below with the subject – Blogger Idol. Seven names will be chosen and you’ll be invited to write an article for the site. Then, a further three names will be chosen and you’ll be set a small project. A winner will then be picked and he or she will be our Blogger Idol.

They will be given the chance to write 10 articles for Young Guns, with the possibility of a full time slot should you impress. You will also receive a share of money earned in adverts over the time you write for us. So good luck, and get entering.

E-mail: – youngguns.wordpress@googlemail.com

Click Here To E-mail Us Now

Article By – J.Sanderson

At 12 midnight UK time Amaury Bischoff, Anton Blackwood, James Dunne, Rui Fonte, Abu Ogogo, Paul Rodgers, Rene Steer and Vincent van den Berg will become free agents after Arsenal confirmed they would not be extending their contracts.

With the octuplet’s career with the Gunners now over, Young Guns maps out their next moves.

Amaury Bischoff

The midfielder, who made four appearances for the first-team last year, has widely been tipped for a move to Portugal. Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and FC Porto have all been in touch, but French outfit PSG have also been on his trial. There promises to be no lack of potential club’s who want to snap up the Portugal Under 21 International. – Young Guns Tip – Sporting Lisbon.

Anton Blackwood

Anton was one of the first players to find out he would be leaving the club, and subsequently went on trial with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. After scoring during a trial game, he was handed a one-year scholarship with the side he rejected to join Arsenal in the first place. – Young Guns Tip – Signed For Tottenham.

James Dunne

A failed trial at Charlton means James Dunne has no where to go. Gillingham are apparently interested but there remains no takers as yet for the tough tackling midfielder. He’ll probably end up being a squad player for a Championship side next year or step down to League One if he harbours hopes of more regular action.- Young Guns Tip – Mid-tabled Championship Team.

Rui Fonte

The striker returned to Sporting Lisbon after Arsenal decided not to extend his deal. It’s already been confirmed that he will be leaving on loan. V. Setúbal are expected to wrap up his loan signing by the end of the week. – Young Guns Tip – Returned To Sporting, Then Loaned.

Abu Ogogo

Abu’s future has already been resolved as he signed a two-year-deal with Dagenham & Redbridge yesterday afternoon. – Young Guns Tip – Signed For Dagenham & Redbridge.

Paul Rodgers

Paul has rejoined Northampton Town but on trial. He will spend pre-season with the Cobblers where it’s expected he’ll sign a two-year-contract. – Young Guns Tip – Northampton Town.

Rene Steer

Rene is another player who has nowhere to go. He’s had failed trials with a whole host of sides and seems destined to play at a very low league level next season. League Two sides have been hovering but his future is the most cloudy of the group. – Young Guns Tip – League Two Side.

Vincent van den Berg

Signed with Excelsior last month after a couple of failed trials and will now hope to rebuild his career back in his homeland. – Young Guns Tip – Signed For Excelsior.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Many will come out and criticise youngster Theo Walcott after his anonymous performance in England’s catastrophic 4-0 loss to Germany in the European Under-21 Final tonight. In fact, his performance in the whole tournament has been under intense scrutiny and has led to some harsh judgements.

However, anyone expecting Theo to prove his doubters wrong tonight obviously haven’t been watching England in this tournament so far. To say they don’t play “the Arsenal way” is a gross understatement. Nothing about them was ever going to allow Theo to play either to his potential, or even the way he plays for Arsenal.

England were not a good attacking force. No doubt about it. Their passing was poor. They lacked creativity, and scored very few from open play. In fact, 5 of their 8 goals were from corners or free-kicks, which are never likely to get Theo involved. Their best players of the Tournament were their Centre-halves, defensive midfielder Fabrice Muamba (who is painfully uncreative) and the hard working James Milner (who lacks genuine quality).

Tonight in Malmo he was asked to play as a lone striker, who was very rarely supported. He was sent very few balls that he could use effectively, had no midfielder of the quality of Fabregas (or of any quality really) to supply him, and thus never had the opportunities to score or even create a genuine chance.

I’m not arguing over his ability (or lack of), I’m just setting out a pre-emptive defence to his critics who are likely to be crowing after this Tournament.

Article By Gianni Sonvico – Young Guns’ International Reporter

Arsenal have released out of contract defenders Abu Ogogo and Paul Rodgers while they’ve also agreed to terminate Jonas Rasmussen’s professional forms.

Ogogo and Rodgers were destined to leave the club this summer but both have secured moves to pastures new. Abu has signed a two-year deal with League Two outfit Dagenham & Redbridge after impressing for Barnet towards the back end of last season. Paul, who started Arsenal’s Carling Cup Quarter-Final with Burnley, has returned to Northampton for an extended trial which should result in a contract offer.

Yet the surprise of the trio is highly rated Danish winger Rasmussen. He’s currently with his family in Hvidovre considering his options. Arsenal may not be interested in keeping the prospect yet according to Jonas himself there is no shortage of suitors.

“Right now I’m just waiting for some clarification. I have been in Viborg for two trials and then on a tour in Switzerland with Young Boys, and received an offer from another Swiss club. My first priority is, however, to return to Denmark. Right now I await the situation in Viborg and keep options open in Switzerland.”

Rasmussen is expected to sign with Viasat Divisionen outfit Viborg F.F in the coming days after being paid up to the end of his contract which had two seasons left to run. Viborg – who are currently 4th in the Danish 2nd division – have been long term admirers for several campaigns and are the side which Jonas has put as his first choice.

Young Guns would like to wish all three players the very best of luck in the future.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Championship side Derby County have signed Arsenal’s out of contract Republic of Ireland international Cormac Hegarty on scholarship terms.

The 16-year-old was among three members of Arsenal’s successful Under 16 team – which won the Atalanta Cup and the Zinédine Zidane Tournament last summer – who were told their contracts would not be renewed in April. The other two, Alex Witham and Neil Johnston, are still searching for new clubs. Cormac has made appearances for Ireland at Under 15 and Under 17 level and was previously tipped for a bright future.

Hegarty is a hard working and industrious central midfielder, who can also play wide on the right. His energy and tackling skills saw him rise through the ranks quickly, with the highlight so far when he travelled with the Under 16 side to Italy for the Atalanta Cup. He made one start during the competition, as Arsenal won the tournament on penalties.

Injuries dogged what could have been a promising year for the prospect, that coupled with Nico Yennaris returning to full fitness after a lengthy lay off himself, there was never really any chance of him breaking through. Unfortunate for Hegarty who will now hope he can bolt down a regular spot for the Rams’ Under 18’s and reignite his international hopes.

The deal also shows there is a link forming between the two outfits with Hegarty joining Nacer Barazite in making the move North in recent months.

Article By – J.Sanderson

This week Young Guns has been producing a ‘Top 5′ series of articles with the aim to celebrate and educate on all things to do with Arsenal’s Reserves and Youth. Having already covered the Top 5 Under 16’s to watch next season, the Top 5 best positions for Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and the Top 5 reasons why Arsenal’s Academy is better than Tottenham’s, today’s blog features the Top 5 goals of Jack Wilshere’s short yet eventful career.

Read more →

Fresh from having their hair cut by former Gunner Fabrice Muamba, Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs both started for England’s Under 21’s as they took on hosts Sweden in the Semi-Finals of the UEFA European Under 21 Championships.

The two youngsters have had mixed times during this tournament, with Gibbs being lauded as one of England’s better players, while struggling Walcott has been slammed for his poor performances. However, both knew if they could help the Three Lions to victory this evening they would be on the verge of claiming the first piece of silverware of there exciting careers.

Read more →

Norwegian born Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Sean McDermott is currently busy arranging his housing and schooling after completing his switch to Arsenal two weeks ago. Yet the reported $7 million dollars (£4.3 million) fee is wrong. The number of 7 million is correct, but the fee is in Norwegian kroner. This means that the 1 million the Gunners paid up front is infact only £100,000. The rest of the money is based on appearances and targets met meaning the fee could eventually finish at £700,000.

We’d like to apologise for this mistake, and at the same time introduce a video of Sean. It shows an interview with the 16-year-old at his former school in Kristiansand. He was there saying goodbye to his friends and teachers before having a final kick around. For those who have never seen the stopper in action – there is also footage of him training with IK Våg. To read the translation of what he actually said – Click Here.

Click Here To Watch The Video

Article By – J.Sanderson