Author: Staff Writer

Győri ETO FC defender Máté Tóth is heading to Arsenal this month to begin a 7 day trial with the Gunners ahead of a proposed switch before the February 2nd transfer deadline.

The 17-year-old Hungarian central defender is expected to spend his 18th birthday in London as he aims to win a contract with the club.

Despite his tender age, he’s already much travelled. Starting out with Budapest outfit Kerületi TTVE, he quickly moved on to Sheffield United’s link club Ferencváros and then made a surprise switch to their arch rivals Újpest. Máté’s talents then saw him transferred to Italian side Empoli, but he failed to settle and switched back to his home land in July with Győri.

At 187cm he is an imposing prospect but also blessed with all the qualities of a modern day defender. The Hungary under 19 International is a keen AC Milan supporter, and lists Rossoneri stalwart Alessandro Nesta as his idol. Tottenham are also said to be keen to have a look at Máté, but Steve Rowley has managed to broker a deal first.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Saturday afternoon’s lunchtime kick off between West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa may have been Jay Simpson’s first Premier League start, but the 20-year-old striker looked the business straight from kick off.

West Brom went on the lose the game through two goals that really should have been defended better, but it was the Arsenal loanee who stood out among a few million pounds worth of talent.

It’s obvious that there are things to work on. Pass timing, first touch and positioning all need a little a little fine tuning, yet his quick feet, raw pace and bulky physique offered Albion a real threat up front.

Not only were the watching fans impressed, but his new manager was quick to pick out one of the main positives from the encounter – his new striker.

“I think it says a lot when our best player today was a 20-year-old boy on loan from Arsenal. He’s what we’ve been looking for this season, some real quality in the final third.”

It only looks like a matter of time before goals come for the young marksman, and after penning a new contract  a month ago, it would put him in a fine position to try and make a push into Arsène Wenger’s plans.

Match Of The Day pundit Alan Hansen also highlighted Jay as one of WBA’s shining lights – Gooners will hope that Hansen will be saying the same when he returns to Arsenal – and on yesterday’s showing, there’s no reason why not.

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 eight 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 and Nacer Barazite are playing Championship football for Watford and Derby County.

Further down the Leagues, Kerrea Gilbert is with League One Leicester City, and Abu Ogogo is at League Two Barnet. 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 1-2 Aston Villa – (90 Minutes)
Gavin Hoyte – Watford 0-4 Reading – (90 Minutes)
Kerrea Gilbert – Leicester City 3-0 Leyton Orient – (90 Minutes)
Abu Ogogo – Barnet 0-1 Bury – (58 Minutes)

Armand Traoré – Portsmouth V Man City – (Postponed)
Nacer Barazite – Derby County V Cardiff City – (Postponed)

Previews:

Pedro Botelho – UD Salamanca V Real Zaragoza

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Young Guns’ first podcast is in production, and whilst one of the main purposes is to provide you with added enjoyment of  the sites content, we would also like to ask for your opinions.

The first issue will include profiles on Under 18’s coach Steve Bould and his captain Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. Subsequently we would like you to e-mail in your views on both, and have the opportunity to have the mail read out.

Eventually the idea is that people will send in voice clips, but as the cast is still in its early stages, e-mails would be preferred. Not only would we like comments on Bould and Emmanuel-Thomas, but your thoughts on the idea, and features you’d like to see would all be appreciated.

All e-mails should be sent to – younggunspodcast@googlemail.com

We’ll respond ASAP and let you know if your views will be published. No date has been set for its first release, although early next week it will be available for download.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Kieran Gibbs could be forgiven for thinking he is a bit of a late developer – at 19 he almost two years older than team mates Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere – yet despite his steady rise, the former Wimbledon prospect is finally making inroads towards a regular place in Arsène Wenger’s first team.

Gibbs featured for the final hour of the 3-1 win over Plymouth at the weekend, and with doubts over the fitness of Mikael Silvestre and Gael Clichy, he could be in line for a first Premiership start as Bolton visit the Emirates this weekend.

“I wasn’t expecting to come on but I was glad to get the call and I think I did okay. Plymouth gave us a hard game though and we are just glad to be through”

Whilst Kieran has experience of playing in the Carling Cup, he’s keen to stress the tournaments are very different. The left footed maestro also reaffirmed how important the oldest Cup competition in the world is to the Gunners.

“It was a big game and while I have played in the Carling Cup there were more first team players so it was an even better experience for me, to play with people like William Gallas.

“The FA Cup is a competition we all want to win, but we always want to win every competition anyway. “

Norwich City and Reading have both made enquiries about taking the prospect on loan this term, and although several of his Reserves colleagues have been farmed out,  Gibbs himself believes it’s best if he remains with the club during January.

“Obviously it’s good for me to stay here and if I get games then it’s even better. I did set targets at the start of the season, and I am happy with the way it has gone.”

Taking the mantle from Gael Clichy is a massive task for the youngster, who follows the same path as Ashley Cole as an Academy graduate. But it doesn’t daunt the well spoken defender, who offered high praise for his French colleague.

“I know it’s a position where Arsenal have always had good players. Ashley Cole and now Gael Clichy, he is a world-class player and I can only learn good things from him.”

2009 may be a New Year, but Kieran will be looking to continue the massive steps in his development that he took during 2008, with the ultimate test coming if he’s selected against Bolton.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Welcome to the second in the series of Young Guns’ profiles and analysis into which Arsenal youngsters could make it big during the New Year.

Manager Arsène Wenger has already said he is delighted that 2008 is over, and with 2009 just days old, we give you a taster of just who could force their way into his plans during the coming months.

Yesterday we announced the first four names to watch out for, and if you missed it, catch up Here before reading this update. Today we announce our top 5 to watch during the new campaign.

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Welcome to the second in the series of Young Guns’ profiles and analysis into which Arsenal youngsters could make it big during the New Year.

Manager Arsène Wenger has already said he is delighted that 2008 is over, and with 2009 just days old, we give you a taster of just who could force their way into his plans during the coming months.

Last years article included the likes of Carlos Vela, Jack Wilshere, Benik Afobe and Nacer Barazite. You can see part one below, with the second part coming shortly.

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Arsenal’s Reserves return to action tomorrow evening with an away trip to West Bromwich Albion – their first test since the winter break.

Neil Banfield’s boys have had mixed form this campaign, but currently sit in a very respectable 2nd place in the Reserves League South table. Last time out they edged past a hard working and well organised Portsmouth outfit, but the result was almost forgotten about.

Why? because fans favourite Eduardo da Silva started and played 45 minutes – his first action since suffering a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle during the 2-2 draw with Birmingham last February.

The 25-year-old had a timid start, before finally finding his feet and smashing Amir Begovic’s post. Without doubt Dudu showed his class. His quick feet, intelligent runs, perfect positioning – it was exactly the same marksman as before.

Yet whenever there was a physical battle, Eduardo seemed cautious and a little frightened at the prospect of taking another clobbering. With the home support as it was, realistically nobody was going to stick their boot in on the Croatian International.

But tomorrow evening sees a tricky trip to the Midlands to take on West Brom. He’ll be playing just miles away from the Selly Oak Hospital where surgeons fought to save his career just 11 months ago.

Arsène Wenger believes his number 9 will be back, and even better than ever, on one condition. He overcomes the mental side of the game – the fear of the same injury happening again. The Baggies are almost certain to be a much tougher prospect to that of Pompey, and without the protection of his home faithful, Eduardo must stand up and fight for himself, and his team.

We’ll know a lot more about how far away the most promising finisher in the Premier League is from a first team return on the final whistle – and Young Guns will be bringing you full coverage of the fixture from tomorrow afternoon.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Striker Rhys Murphy has collected the Lamb Awards sponsored Young Guns Player Of The Month crown for December 2008, after three goals in two Under 18 matches.

The freezing conditions meant that Arsenal had only two Academy games, and one FA Youth Cup game during December, yet it was still a memorable month for Steve Bould’s boys.

It began on the 6th as the Gunners took on bottom of the table Charlton Athletic at London Colney. It was a frustrating first half, but Murphy came closest with an instinctive side footed effort just going wide.

Rhys would get on the score-sheet though, his strike was sandwiched between a Jay Emmanuel-Thomas double as Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners.

Just four days later they returned to action, as a tricky tie against Aston Villa beckoned in the Youth Cup. Rhys twice brought his side back level after James Collins goals, before Emmanuel-Thomas netted the late winner. It was a terrific evening for Murphy, and one which he caught the eye of some of the watching scouts.

The Shoreham born marksman was rested for the fixture with Norwich three days later, and his absence showed as Bould’s youngsters went down 2-1.

Rhys’ month was sealed in just 7 days, as he joined his team mates on Holiday during the winter break.

Article By – J.Sanderson