Author: Staff Writer

Fluminense forward Wellington has now completed his 7 day trial with Arsenal, and whilst he waits for a firm decision on his future, Gooners around the world as left a bit baffled about his origins.

The 15-year-old striker – who can also play on the wing – shot to prominence during this years Manchester United Premier Cup, known casually as the Nike Cup.

Our very own Benik Afobe was superb in the qualifying rounds, but it was the Brazilian outfit who shone in the knock out rounds. Fluminense romped their way to the title, with Wellington being one of the star performers.

You can watch one of his goals en route to the final below. Wellington finished a flowing move against Atlas to helped secure a crucial victory.

Click Here To Watch

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal striker Jay Simpson will join Premiership rivals West Bromwich Albion on January 1st, but not before he completes the formalities on a new contract with the Gunners.

Simpson – who turns 20 the day after boxing day – will link up Tony Mowbray’s Albion following some impressive performances during Arsenal’s Carling Cup run, which saw the versatile forward score twice in his first start against Wigan.

That scoring prowess saw Jay rescue his blossoming reputation, and at the same time attract the interest of a handful of Premiership clubs. Wigan Athletic and Fulham have been consistently linked with a swoop for Simpson, but West Brom have jumped the queue.

The deal will be until the end of the season, and should see Jay face the hustle and bustle of life at the basement of England’s top flight. Points earned through his goals could mean the difference between Premiership survival, or losing up to £40 million.

Before January 1st, Simpson will sign a brand new 2 and a half year contract with the Gunners, after a month of negotiations between both parties. Many have raised questions over the Tottenham born strikers abilities, and the player himself is determined to prove his worth.

“I feel as if I am called upon I could answer some questions but I want to be playing as well so it is a good chance to go out and get some games.”

“Obviously if I am playing regularly I am only going to improve. I am just going to go there and try my hardest and try to score as many goals as I can.”

His positive attitude will no doubt help the cause. You can follow all of Jay’s progress in our regular loanees updates during the New Year.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Young Guns is delighted to announce that it will be producing a weekly downloadable podcast in the New Year.

Regular readers will know we tried something similar earlier this year, and after its great reception, we have decided it will become a full time feature. Rather than myself appearing, we’ve drafted in Niall Kent as host, who will liaise with you to bring weekly discussions and updates on all things Arsenal Youth.

Player Profiles, Match Previews & Reports, News Updates and Interviews are just a flavour of some of the things you can expect.

You can get involved by sending in your voice clips and views via e-mail, or you can even do it by contacting me on MSN Messenger – and we’ll put it all together and include you in our update.

The plan is that the cast will come out on Saturday’s, with all submissions expected in by Wednesday afternoon. It will become a professional feature, and we will add contact details on how you can get involved in the due course.

In the meantime, if you would be kind enough to leave your opinions on the idea, along with suggestions and features you’d like to see, we would be very grateful.

Merry Christmas to you all, and have a fantastic 2009.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Derby manager Paul Jewell has confirmed his intention to retain the services of Dutch winger Nacer Barazite, after the 18-year-old created yesterdays winner from the substitutes bench.

Barazite has been in and out of the Rams starting XI since his switch in August, but he has already chalked up a handful of crucial assists – including a fine cross for Rob Hulse to bag the match winner against fellow strugglers Watford on Saturday afternoon.

Naz’s form has seen him become a huge favourite during his tenure at Pride Park, with the fans often his awe of his technical abilities. However, his tender age has seen Jewell a little reluctant to call on Nacer’s services, but whenever he has, it’s always been to Derby’s profit.

Jewell has now admitted his desire to keep the winger until the end of the campaign, but with injuries to Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri in recent weeks, Arsène Wenger is said to have earmarked the Holland Under 19 international for an early return.

“We would like to keep him until the end of the season but I’m not sure at the moment. We have spoken a couple of times to Arsenal so we’ll just have to wait and see.”

The loan contract expires at midnight on December 31st, and with the restrictions that Arsenal have put in his contract, it seems likely Barazite will return to the Emirates in a first team capacity in the New Year.

In other news, Reserves left back Rene Steer has failed to win a contract at Premiership rivals West Bromwich Albion.

West Brom are the second team in as many months to rebuff the tenacious full back, after Cheltenham Town followed the same path in late November. It didn’t seem to bother Steer however, as he was spotted in several London nightclubs over the weekend.

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.

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

Reports:

Armand Traoré – Portsmouth 1-2 Bolton – (Unused)
Nacer Barazite – Derby County 1-0 Watford – (34 Minutes)
Pedro Botelho – UD Salamanca 0-0 Real Sociedad –  (Sent Off)
Kerrea Gilbert – Leicester City 4-0 Peterbrough United – (90 Minutes))
Abu Ogogo – Barnet 2-2 Darlington – (Unused)

Read more →

Young Arsenal forwards Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela have been named among some of the brightest talents in world football.

Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport announced their prestigious ‘Golden Boy’ awards earlier this month. Manchester United’s Anderson collected the 2008 trophy from fellow South America Sergio Aguero, but the Brazilian had to fight of Arsenal’s Walcott in a tight battle for the crown.

Just three points separated the duo in the end, but Theo will be eligible to try his luck again next season. Should he manage togo one better, he will join his captain – Cesc Fabregas – on the list of Gunners who have won the award.

Not to be outdone, Nicklas Bendtner finished a respectable 11th, beating players such as Gareth Bale, Angel Di Maria, Micah Richards and Juan Mata. Three further votes would have pushed the flamboyant Dane inside the top 10.

Further down the rankings, Carlos Vela joined Bale, Richards and Mata in joint 20th, with three votes each. Aaron Ramsey was one of the youngest players short listed, however he failed to pick up a single vote. Chelsea’s Franco Di Santo and Tottenham’s Giovani Dos Santos were also left voteless.

You can see the complete list and what votes they received Here.

Article By – J.Sanderson

The most eagerly anticipated Reserves game for over 5 years finally arrived this evening as Portsmouth made the journey North to Underhill in an encounter which was more about the playing staff rather than the result.

The fixture saw fans favourite Eduardo return to competitive action after 10 months out with a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle – sustained on Premiership duty against Birmingham City last February.

The damp, cold, miserable, foggy conditions meant that despite the fact a giant crowd was expected, only a couple of thousand made the trip to welcome back the 25-year-old.

To spice things up, Aaron Ramsey and Lukasz Fabianski added first team experience, whilst all but Eduardo had featured at some stage of the infamous Carling Cup run.

Fabianski
Coquelin – Hoyte – Rodgers – Gibbs
Wilshere – Ramsey – Randall – Merida
Simpson – Eduardo

Subs – Mannone, Thomas, Bischoff, Lansbury, Fonte

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Arsenal fans are expected to fill a large majority of Underhill’s 5,568 capacity tomorrow evening as Eduardo da Silva returns to competitive action.

The like-able Croatian International has been missing since February after suffering a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle during the Gunners 2-2 draw with Birmingham City.

Extensive surgery, speculation over his long term future and 4 months of painstaking rehabilitation have followed, but finally Eduardo is ready to make his competitive return.

Young Guns learnt that the 25-year-old featured for the closing stages against Nottingham Forest in late November, in a specially arranged friendly. However, with those vital minutes under his belt, Arsène Wenger is ready to test Eduardo’s mental and physical state as Neil Banfield’s Reserves take on Portsmouth.

Such as been the support for the front-man, the usual crowd of 100 is expected to be dwarfed as around 4000 fans prepare to spend their Tuesday evening watching the second string.

Tickets are free, so if you want to wish ‘Dudu’ well and welcome him back to football, get down to Barnet’s Underhill stadium for the 7pm kick off. Due to the abnormal levels of fans attending, it’s advised you travel well in advance.

A full match report will be available shortly after the full time whistle, and a match preview to get you in the mood will be added tomorrow afternoon.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger believes he is doing all in his power to give Carlos Vela opportunities to develop, and has defended suggestions that the Mexican teenager will be going out on loan again after failing to settle.

Speaking after last weeks clash with Porto, Wenger was confronted with journalists keen to get answers following a week of speculation surrounding the future of the 19-year-old.

West Brom, Hull City and Wigan are said to be keen on loaning Vela, whilst his former employers UD Salamanca hinted that they would be interested in adding the starlet to their ranks should be become available. However, his manager reaffirmed the stance on Carlos.

“Carlos Vela is a great player and a great striker.”

“He is 19 years old and has adapted very well. Every chance he has been given, he has played well, and he will get other chances to show that again.”

It now appears that the aforementioned clubs have gone after other targets, but without changing teams. Indeed, Jay Simpson is the latest forward to be linked with a move to a Premiership rival, with the same outfits being linked yet again.

The next few weeks should decide the short term fate of several prospects, but rest assured, Carlos will not be one of those heading out of the Emirates exit door.

Article By – J.Sanderson