Author: Staff Writer

Two of Arsenal’s young Gunners who featured during the club’s short yet entertaining Carling Cup run have showed their talents on a different stage.

Striker Jay Simpson and defender Paul Rodgers, who are currently on loan with West Brom and Northampton Town respectively, joined a whole host of London music stars on the video set of Mobo winner Chipmunk’s new song ‘Chip Diddy Chip’. The pair have previous experience in the music business, with both having made and featured in tracks and videos of their own.

Although it’s hard to spot the duo in the original video, which features grime stars Bashy, Wretch 32, Griminal and former MTV turned radio presenter Tim Westwood, Chipmunk himself introduces the two prospects in the ‘making of’ video which can be seen Here. The pair fill in as ‘extra’s’ during the classroom scene.

Simpson, 20, and Rodgers, 19, both gained experience in Arsene Wenger’s first team as the Gunners reached the last 8 of the competition before succumbing at the hands of Burnley. Both players were involved in that fixture, with Paul starting and Jay coming on as a late substitute.

Whether you like the track or not, it’s clear the two talents have added a second string to their bows should their football careers not work out.

Article By – J.Sanderson

The International break has had a mixed influence on Arsenal’s youngsters. Several have been away with their respective countries, whilst a handful of loanees have been action. Follow all the latest updates below.

Internationals –

Armand Traoré – France Under 21’s
Gilles Sunu & Francis Coquelin – France Under 18’s

Loanees –

Henri Lansbury – Scunthorpe United 3-0 Colchester – (76 Minutes)
Pedro Botelho – Salamanca 0-0 Huesca – (90 Minutes)
Kerrea Gilbert – Leicester 0-2 Peterborough – (90 Minutes)

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After playing out a spectacular 3-2 win over Aston Villa in the F.A Youth Cup earlier in the season, Steve Bould’s Under 18’s mirrored the result in the Academy League this morning.

In their first fixture since retaining their status as Group A Champions, Bould rotated a little, but in essence he kept the same names who helped secure the title with a win over Watford last week.

Shea
Obed – Boateng – Miquel – Evina
Yennaris – Aneke
Rasmussen – Özyakup – Watt (c)
Deacon

Just like December’s enthralling fixture, the goals came early, however it was the Gunners who struck first.

Cedric Evina’s jinking run stretched the Villa back line, creating space for Sanchez Watt to arrive in space and nod home the Frenchman’s cross.

From then on, Arsenal showed their inexperience at this level. James Shea’s clumsy foul in the box offered the Midland’s outfit the opportunity they were looking for to get back into it, and the home number one was powerless to prevent the leveller from 12 yards.

Shortly after, slack marking saw the visitors complete the come back, and leave Bould fuming. Although they could afford a slip up, the Youth Cup Semi-Finalists showed their character and fired themselves level through Roarie Deacon’s second in as many games.

The unbeaten run in 2009 was saved, but things got even better when skipper Jay Emmanuel-Thomas made a decisive cameo appearance from the bench.

Emmanuel-Thomas picked out leggy Danish winger Jonas Rasmussen who smashed home his second of the campaign to claim the three points.

Article By – J.Sanderson

After Mark Randall admitted his desire to seek more first team action on loan on Thursday, Championship outfit Blackpool are reportedly closing in on a deal to bring the Reserves skipper in on a temporary deal.

Randall replaced Gavin Hoyte as Neil Banfield’s captain in January, when the centre back left for Watford to gain vital experience. The 19-year-old was also tipped to follow Gavin out of the club, yet according to the midfielder himself, Arsène Wenger was cautious about sanctioning such a deal.

“I thought I was going to go on loan but I think part of the boss didn’t want me to go. That’s the way it goes sometimes.”

He spent time with Burnley in the latter stages of the last campaign, and Randall obviously relishes learning  in a first-team environment.

“I want to learn as much as possible playing in a first-team, any first-team as long as I’m playing. I don’t want to go away and not play. It’s good to have a bit of competition and have to fight for your position.”

The Seasiders have had a mixed season, and currently sit in 18th place in the Championship. They are one of a cluster of sides who are locked on 47 points, with Nacer Barazite’s Derby County being one of them.

With the season well and truly at it’s business end, Mark would no doubt learn plenty on the coast. Pool have a massive 9 players currently on loan, including Middlesbrough’s Graeme Owens, and according to several local and national sources, the former Northampton trainee will complete a switch in the coming weeks.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal duo Luke Freeman and Benik Afobe helped England’s Under 17’s beat their Serbian counterparts this afternoon, putting the Three Lions on course to qualify for the UEFA European Under 17 Championships in the summer.

Having claimed three points from their group opener against Portugal via Luke Freeman’s winner, another win this afternoon would place England in a terrific position to qualify.

Freeman bagged his second in as many games in the 40th minute, and despite conceding, Benik Afobe kept up his rampant form for his country with a winner in the 70th minute. It all means that a draw with Hungary would see them home and dry ahead of the tournament in Germany.

It’s been a fantastic few days for Arsenal’s young Gunners currently away on international duty. Oguzhan Özyakup has been on target for the Dutch Under 17’s, whilst Rui Fonte secured Portugal’s Under 21’s win over Madeira earlier in the week.

More updates to follow.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Defender Anton Blackwood is set to return to Arsenal next week, after his 14-day trial with Fulham comes to an end.

Blackwood has had a mixed campaign with Steve Bould’s Under 18’s, and whilst he has turned in several solid performances, the mistakes which dogged his opening season with the club still remain.

Danny Boateng and Ignasi Miquel are making rapid movements through the ranks, and with Anton’s scholarship expiring in the summer, it seems all but certain that he’ll be on his way out.

Ironically, the quick-silver prospect had one of his better games in the 1-1 draw against Fulham at Motspur Park in early October. Subsequently, The Whites have requested to take a closer look.

Blackwood joined his former Arsenal colleague Oliver Nicholas on the bench against the Gunners in the reverse fixture two weeks ago. He has since featured in a draw with MK Dons, and will complete the trial after his weekend’s games.

A decision on his future is not yet known, but it’s very unlikely he won’t be a Gunner this time next year.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Young footballers need all the help they can get when they’re developing, from their teachers to their friends, but more importantly, their family.

Forward Jeffery Monakana is one of the lucky few who are well on the road to achieving the dream of being a professional footballer. The Hale End boy made his first start as a striker for the new-look Under 16’s on Saturday morning, and after bagging a classy brace in a 4-0 win, his rise seems normal when compared to his striker partner, Zak Ansah.

Yet before Christmas, the pacy starlet suffered a massive blow. Jeffery’s big influence, his father, died suddenly. It would be enough to send anybody over the edge, but after some time off, Monakana junior is back – just as dedicated as ever.

Young Guns first introduced the London-born forward to fans last year, when he featured on the fringes of the Nike Cup squad. Since then, little has been said about Jeffery, who is also a talented musician.

However, with his development now firmly back on track, the future looks extremely bright once more, but if playing for one of the world most fruitful Academies isn’t enough motivation, the speedster will no doubt be gunning to make his dad proud.

Article By – J.Sanderson

1. Szczęsny (7) – Had a quiet first period, but as Chelsea found their way in the second he was worked from all angles. Stood up well and palmed Mineiro’s long ranger over, but flapped on occasions.

2. Eastmond (5) – Same old story for Craig. He got forward well in the first half, but when faced with the pace of either Nouble or Stoch, he looked shaky and had to result to fouling.

3. Cruise (4) – Mostly invisible throughout the game, and like his fellow full back Eastmond, was tortured by Nouble’s pace.

4. Frimpong (7) – Impressive yet raw. Manny put himself about the pitch impressively, and showed guts to take out World Cup winner Mineiro early on. He still shoots despite admitting his accuracy is off.

5. Bartley (8) – Man of the Match. Read most situations well, and has proved to be the Arsenal stalwart this term. Having somebody like Silvestre alongside him helped him grow in stature and confidence, and now injury free, Kyle looks like a big player for the future.

6. Silvestre (6) – Naturally rusty and tired towards the end, but he was still at his classy best to snuff out Malouda and keep Di Santo quiet. Needs more minutes.

7. Randall (3) – The Arsenal skipper is quickly becoming the forgotten man. Looked lost on the right of the midfield, and couldn’t even muster the fight to put in his usual crunching challenges.

8. Mérida (6) – Fantastic in the first half if a little over complicated with his passing, but after being kicked in the second period, he lost his way and was substituted.

9. Watt (6) – You can’t fault Sanchez for work rate, and although he only had a couple of good opportunities, he never looked like scoring. Playing as a lone striker is certainly not making good use of his assets, and Banfield knows it.

10. Bischoff (5) – Had two excellent chances at the end of the first half, and a last ditch free-kick, but the game passed him by. If Sporting are really interested in signing Amaury, it’s certainly not for performances like these.

11. Emmanuel-Thomas (6) – Some silky and neat touches, but operating on the left he looked wasted. Whenever given the chance to come inside Chelsea look worried about his physical style, but Jay is yet to convince at this level.

Substitutes:

James Shea – N/A
Luke Ayling – N/A
Cedric Evina – N/A
James Dunne (4) – Kicked and fouled but added energy late on.
Roarie Deacon – N/A

Feel free to leave your own opinions.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Two of Reserves League South’s most out of form sides went head-to-head this evening, as Neil Banfield’s second string made the trip to Brentford’s Griffin Park to take on Chelsea.

The encounter was expected to be a big one, as Czech skipper Tomas Rosicky was penciled in to feature, but after he broke down in training two weeks ago, the Gunners were forced into a re-think. Nonetheless, the first-team was represented with Mikaël Silvestre making his first start in 11 weeks.

Szczęsny
Eastmond – Bartley – Silvestre – Cruise
Randall – Frimpong – Mérida – Thomas
Bischoff
Watt

Subs – Shea – Ayling – Evina – Dunne – Deacon

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