Author: Staff Writer

For those who follow the youth team closely, Emmanuel Frimpong has always been a boy with a lot of potential. Last night, he showed he is a man with potential.

The ink was barley dry on his new professional contract ahead of the F.A Youth Cup Quarter-Final at White Hart Lane, but the Ghanaian born powerhouse showed exactly why Liam Brady moved so quickly to secure his long-term future.

If it wasn’t for Emmanuel, Arsenal wouldn’t have won last night. Poor defending allowed Spurs the opportunity to take the lead, but after the opener, they were prepared to sit back and match the Gunners in a 4-5-1 formation. It meant each side had equal numbers in the middle of the park, and the winners of that battle would ultimately control the fixture.

Frimpong, alongside the also brilliant Coquelin, swung the balance back in favor of the visitors. He showed the usual aggression and tenacity in the tackle, but not content with that, the England Under 17 International didn’t misplace a pass all night. He was a shining light in the middle of the park, and helped keep the tempo high to ware down Tottenham – who were forced to chase the ball for most of the evening.

The last thing the midfielder needs is stupid comparisions, because he has the talent to become an Arsenal star in his own right.

The future is coming.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal took on their Tottenham counterparts in the Quarter-Finals of the F.A Youth Cup this evening, with a large crowd at a bouncing White Hart Lane anticipating an exciting North London Derby. Both Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp were among the spectators.

Steve Bould kept faith with the usual XI that has seen his side cruise past Aston Villa, Wolves and Sunderland, with just the substitutes bench showing changes. Luke Freeman was named among the subs for the first time in the competition, whilst fellow striker Rhys Murphy passed a fitness test to start.

Shea
Eastmond – Bartley – Ayling – Cruise
Coquelin – Frimpong
Wilshere – Thomas – Watt
Sunu

Subs – Mann – Evina – Blackwood – Freeman – Murphy.

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Arsenal V Tottenham games are always special. Cup games are always special. So Arsenal V Tottenham in the F.A Youth Cup Quarter Final should be a special game, despite it being played out by the kids.

The Gunners head to White Hart Lane this evening to take on a highly rated Tottenham side, with a place in the semi-finals of the Cup at stake. Steve Bould has reiterated his desire to make these games as realistic to a first team fixture as possible – so expect drama in the 7.45 kick off.

Bould’s charges have surpassed most expectations in this competition this season, and now there is the general feeling that destiny will see the Cup come back to North London, 7 seasons after it left. However, Tottenham will be hoping it heads to their trophy cabinet, not their arch rivals.

Spurs’ XI consists of several lesser known talents, and one big name. Arsenal’s is pretty much the same. The hosts will boast John Bostock in the middle of the park, whilst his international colleague Jack Wilshere will be pulling the strings for the visitors.

In other team news, Rhys Murphy returned to training this week, and will have a late fitness test to determine how ready he is to feature. Oguzhan Ozyakup has been away with Holland, and he’s equally rated as doubtful.

Sean McDermott linked up with his new side on Monday, and will take a place on the Arsenal bench. Gilles Sunu will plow a lone furrow up top, whilst Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong will anchor the midfield.

Shea
Eastmond – Bartley – Ayling – Cruise
Frimpong – Coquelin
Watt – Wilshere – Thomas (c)
Sunu

Subs – McDermott – Evina – Ozyakup – Murphy – Afobe

Kick off is at 7.45 and the fixture is being shown live on Setanta Sports. An in depth Match Report will be available immediately after the full time whistle.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal youngster Josh Rees has won the Southend Echo Junior Sports Personality of the Year award, thanks to some help from Young Guns readers.

Sporting all rounder Rees, 15, excelled on a number of fronts in 2008, with his most notable achievement being a start for England’s Under 16’s in the SkySports Victory Shield. The midfielder also helped Southend High to success, participating in their national Track and Field and Cross-Country teams.
Rees was naturally delighted with the achievement.

“I’m so pleased and excited to have won, it’s been a great year for me and I have enjoyed some great moments.”
“Playing for England has to be the best because that’s something you always dream of but we had national success with school as well which was brilliant to be a part of.”

Young Guns offered readers the opportunity to vote for Josh in January, and it appears that generous readers could have helped swing the balance in a tight contest for the silverware. After being presented with the award, the levelled headed youngster moved to thank everybody involved.

“I really do owe a lot of people a big thank you”

“My parents have been very supportive of me and so have my school and my club. I would also like to thank the Echo for this award and all the readers of the newspaper who voted for me.”

“I really appreciate it and I’m thrilled to have won”

The future looks very bright for the winger, who will pen scholarship terms on his 16th birthday.

Article by – J.Sanderson

Norwegian Tippeligaen outfit SK Brann are reportedly in talks with Arsenal over the possible loan of defender Håvard Nordtveit.

The 18-year-old centre back has been turning out for Neil Banfield’s second string since January, when his registration finally came through after an acrimonious parting of the ways with former loan club Salamanca.

Yet the club’s coaching staff are keen to further Howie’s development, and the 2007-2008 ‘Eliteserien’ Champions are desperate to bring Nordtveit back to his home land until the end of the campaign.

However, Agent Jim Solbakken has suggested that Brann have compeition in the race for the former Haugesund stopper.

“I can reveal that several Norwegian clubs have enquired if it’s possible to loan Håvard”

“But I don’t want to say which.”

Newspaper reports this week suggest that the initial enquiry has progressed significantly, and now Brann are closing in on a deal to loan the Norway Under 21 international for the closing months of the season.

Many would see the transfer as a step back in terms of League quality, but playing in a competitive top flight division could help kick start Håvard’s development.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Promising former Arsenal centre back Oliver Nicholas has been released by Manchester City, just four months after quitting the Gunners to make the move North.

Liam Brady allowed Nicholas the opportunity to leave after failing to make the break into Steve Bould’s Under 18’s, despite only signing a scholarship deal in the summer. The player became restless at his lack of chances to progress, and opted to switch to Manchester City, who offered him the security of a guaranteed professional contract on his 17th birthday.

Yet the dream move proved to be anything but. Although Ollie featured in a handful of fixtures for the F.A Youth Cup holders, his regular return trips to London put a strain on his commitment to the cause. Subsequently, City decided to cancel Nicholas’ deal, and pay him up to the end of his scholarship.

Arsenal received a small amount of money in compensation for the initial transfer, but following the contract termination, they will lose their rights to any sell on fee.

This latest news comes as a massive surprise, as the leggy centre half is an England Youth International, and one of a crop of exciting British defenders coming through the ranks.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Welcome to this weekends Loanees Watch – Young Guns’ analysis, reports and updates on the progress of the young starlets currently plying their trade away from the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal currently have thirteen Reserve team players gaining experience elsewhere. Armand Traoré and Jay Simpson remain in the top flight with Portsmouth and West Brom respectively, whilst Gavin Hoyte, Nacer Barazite and Rui Fonte are playing Championship football for Watford, Derby County and Crystal Palace.

Further down the divisions, League One sides Leicester City, Northampton Town and Scunthorpe United have Kerrea Gilbert, Paul Rodgers and Henri Lansbury, while fellow defenders Abu Ogogo and Rene Steer will ply their trade with League Two Barnet and Gillingham. Two prospects are cutting their teeth aboard – Vincent van den Berg at Dutch minnows FC Zwolle, and Pedro Botelho with Spanish link club UD Salamanca.

In this update you can read about the following players in the following games.

Reports:

Jay Simpson –  West Brom 0-2 Everton – (57 Minutes)
Gavin Hoyte – Watford 2-0 Crystal Palace – (Unused)
Rui Fonte – Watford 2-0 Crystal Palace – (6 Minutes)
Paul Rodgers – Northampton 1-0 Cheltenham – (90 Minutes)
Henri Lansbury – Scunthorpe 2-3 Leeds United – (9 Minutes)
Kerrea Gilbert – Leicester City 2-2 MK Dons – (90 Minutes)
Rene Steer – Gillingham 1-0 Bournmouth – (55 Minutes)

Not In Action:

Pedro Botelho – UD Salamanca 0-2 Castellón – (Injured)
Abu Ogogo – Barnet 1-1 Chesterfield – (Injured)

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Midfielder Alex Witham is on trial with Aston Villa following his release by Arsenal last week.

The left winger has been a regular component of Steve Gatting’s Under 16’s in recent seasons, but has never been seen as good enough to make the step up into the Under 18’s.

Alex turned 16 earlier in the season, and the club made it clear they would not be handing him a scholarship contract in the summer. Both Arsenal and Witham have decided to go their separate ways, but the youngsters association with such a club means he is hot property.

Aston Villa were one of several sides who invited Alex to trial with, and he will now spend the next weeks weighting up his options in his search for new employment.

Witham scored twice for Gatting’s outfit this campaign – against Norwich and Southampton – and was part of the squad which won the Atalanta and Zinedine Zidane Cup’s during the summer.

Young Guns would like to thank Alex for his contribution and wish him all the best for the future.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Luke Freeman was back with a bang this morning, as the striker returned from England Under 17 duty in Portugal to snatch all three points for Steve Bould’s Under 18’s on the south coast against Portsmouth.

The win edges the Gunners closer to the Academy League Group A title, and is the perfect taster ahead of the Youth Cup tie with Tottenham next week.

Bould rotated his side, opting to bring in the more inexperienced members of his team. Under 16 starlets Chuks Aneke, George Brislen-Hall and Jernade Meade all made the bench.

The fixture was decided shortly after the break, when Benik Afobe showed great pace and strength to power his way through the Pompey back-line. The newly signed scholar then teed up the waiting Freeman who simply tapped the ball over the line to steal the points.

Whilst the Under 18’s walked away victorious, Steve Gatting’s Under 16’s found life much trickier – especially without the majority of their star names.

Stand in skipper Chuks Aneke was pulled off the bench for the Under 18’s, so the youngsters were forced to switch things around.

It eventually finished 1-1, after Zak Ansah’s strike was cancelled out.

Article By – J.Sanderson