Author: Staff Writer

Arsenal play their final home game of the Premier Reserve League season against Sunderland tomorrow evening, and while the title looks all but out of reach, Neil Banfield will be able to call on some experienced heads for the fixture.

Jens Lehmann will make his second consecutive appearance for the second string, as he continues to build up his fitness. The German played the full 90 minutes against Wigan Athletic last time out, although endured an error riddled return to action. Jérémie Aliadière is also set to continue, while Emmanuel Frimpong has been penciled in to make his long awaited return from anterior cruciate ligament damage.

Banfield will also be able to call upon Oğuzhan Özyakup, who returns after international duty. The Dutch Under 19 midfielder could be making his last appearance in the Red and White, as talks over a new contract have stalled. Oğuzhan’s current deal expires in July.

Kick off at Underhill is at 7pm. You can follow live text updates on our Twitter feed.

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. You can read all the latest reports below.

Carlos Vela was an unused substitute as West Brom beat Liverpool 2-1.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas came off the bench to play the final 14 minutes of Cardiff City’s 4-1 win over Derby County. Emmanuel-Thomas could have scored a late fifth, but Liverpool loanee Brad Jones made a text book save to deny the powerful front man.

Henri Lansbury came off the bench to play the final 36 minutes of Norwich City’s 6-0 win over Scunthorpe United. Lansbury was rested after picking up an injury on England Under 21 duty last week, but assisted Norwich’s fifth goal for Simeon Jackson.

Sanchez Watt was an unused substitute as Leeds United beat Nottingham Forest 4-1 at Elland Road.

Vito Mannone missed Hull City’s 1-0 defeat to Millwall through injury.

Craig Eastmond came off the bench to play the final three minutes as Millwall beat Hull City 1-0. Eastmond replaced Tottenham loanee Andros Townsend in the closing stages, as the Lions looked to secure the victory.

Benik Afobe started and played 82 minutes for Huddersfield Town against Tranmere Rovers. Afobe looked dangerous all game, and opened the scoring in the 39th minute, finishing from close range after a goal mouth scramble. Benik then performed one his now infamous celebration dances.

Mark Randall was not included in the Rotherham United squad that lost 1-0 to Morecombe.

Ryo Miyaichi played the full 90 minutes as Feyenoord lost 1-0 to AZ Alkmaar. The winger struggled to get involved on the left of a front three, but had more luck when switching to the right, following a red card to Gill Swerts. However, he failed to make a significant impact on a difficult evening for Feyenoord.

Francis Coquelin came off the bench to play the final 12 minutes of Lorient’s 0-0 draw with PSG. Coquelin replaced forward Kevin Monnet-Paquet in the closing stages. Gilles Sunu played 37 minutes, also as a substitute.

Armand Traoré is expected to be on the bench for Juventus’ clash with Roma later.

Wellington Silva was an unused substitute as Levante beat Málaga 3-1.

Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes as FC Cartagena lost 2-1 to Granada CF. The Brazilian played the whole game on the left of a front three, and despite conceding two goals in two minutes, Cartagena hit back when Toni Moral turned in Botelho’s cross.

Samuel Galindo started and played 45 minutes as Salamanca lost 1-0 to Albacete. Galindo started in central midfield but was replaced at half time, with blood pouring from a head wound, after receiving an elbow to the face. The defeat means Salamanca are all but certain to be relegated.

Kyle Bartley has returned to Arsenal for treatment on his ruptured medial ligaments, after receiving confirmation he will not play again this season. The defender had been enjoying a prosperous loan spell with Scottish Champions Rangers.

Bartley sustained the injury during the Europa League last 16 tie with PSV Eindhoven, but it was initially thought he would return in a matter of weeks. However, further scans have revealed the full extent of the problem, and Kyle has returned to London to be looked after by Arsenal’s medical staff.

The 19-year-old played only five times for Rangers, scoring once, but hugely impressed. Gers assistant manager Ally McCoist, who will take over as head coach in the summer, has already enquired about re-signing Bartley on loan for next season.

No decision on his future will be made until the summer.

Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign IFK Norrköping midfielder Kristoffer Olsson, following two successive trials. The 15-year-old will complete the transfer in the summer.

Olsson joined fellow countryman Robert Mirosavic on trial in November, where they both played in a behind closed doors friendly against Charlton Athletic. Arsenal won 6-0, with Olsson on the score sheet. Liam Brady then invited both back for another run out in February, where the coaching staff were again impressed.

The duo were both expected to be named in Arsenal’s Under 16 squad for the Ferrolli Cup next month, but after neither were named, Brady’s interest appeared to have wavered. However, amid interest from Juventus, Arsenal moved in for Olsson.

The stylish central midfielder, who represents Sweden at Under 16 level, will cost Arsenal an undisclosed compensation fee of around £100,000, a figure that IFK director Tony Martinsson confirmed was the largest received in their history. It appears that management may be running up the club credit cards, as there is debate as to whether Arsenal can afford both the wages and transfer fees involved.

Olsson is due in London shortly to sign scholarships forms with the Gunners. He is Arsenal’s fourth signing in recent months, following deals for German duo Serge Gnabry and Leander Siemann, plus Spanish midfielder Jon Toral.

Arsenal have offered former Charlton Athletic manager Phil Parkinson a scouting position, Young Guns understands. The 43-year-old is now poised to join Steve Rowley’s famed network of talent seekers.

Parkinson has been out of work for just over two months, after being sacked by Charlton in January. He formerly held managerial positions at Colchester United and Hull City, where he was regarded as a promising young manager. However, despite receiving a number of others offers, he remains without a club.

The retired holding midfielder has a large number of contacts throughout England, especially in the North. Parkinson’s roles are expected to include scouting Academy players from clubs in the North East, with the likes of Andy Carroll and Adam Johnson all emerging from there in recent years.

His extensive knowledge of the football league will also be a key asset.

More information on Parkinson’s role is expected shortly.

Jérémie Aliadière believes he could be a valuable asset to Arsène Wenger next season, and wants to prove it. The 27-year-old has been granted a Reserve registration, and is in line to feature for Arsenal’s second string against Wigan Athletic this afternoon.

The Frenchman has been without a club since leaving Middlesbrough in the summer. After seeing several potential deals break down, Aliadière returned to Arsenal last month. He has since been training with Neil Banfield’s Reserves, and is set to play a hand in their title push.

Banfield’s boys head North tomorrow, to take on Wigan Athletic at the Robin Park Arena. Jérémie has been granted a Reserves regisitration and is poised to feature in the Premier Reserve League clash. A number of scouts are expected at the game to watch the striker, yet Aliadière has set his sights on an unlikely return to Arsenal.

He revealed his intent in the lastest edition of the Official Arsenal Magazine.

“Deep down in my heart, my ambition is to convince the boss that I can still do good things for Arsenal if he is looking for a forward for next season. He knows me. He knows what I am capable of. I love this club. It’s my home, my soul.”

“I am so happy and grateful to be here right now that I would love the story to continue.”

Aliadière won’t be the only experienced head in the Arsenal team, with Jens Lehmann expected to get 90 minutes ahead of a possible first-team start on Saturday. The 41-year-old has not played since June, but has been involved in training matches and is hoping to get a run out.

The fixture kicks off at 2pm, and you can follow live text updates and all the team news on our Twitter feed. You can also check here for all the latest news out of Holloway.

Pedro Botelho told Arsenal’s Official Magazine last month his style is similar to that of Tottenham’s Gareth Bale. The Brazilian further added to that comparison by scoring a Bale-esque goal against Villarreal B yesterday.

Botelho played the full 90 minutes at left back for FC Cartagena, who beat Villarreal’s second string 2-0. The 20-year-old opened the scoring with a brilliant solo effort, after incepting the ball in his own half.

You can watch Pedro’s goal here.

Bolivan midfielder Samuel Galindo has received loan offers from both Levante and Celta Vigo, as the two Spanish clubs hope to strengthen their blossoming relationship with Arsenal.

Galindo is currently on a season long loan with Segunda side UD Salamanca, but passport trouble combined with a broken ankle has seen his chances limited. The Bolivian has only just returned to match fitness following that injury, but he finds himself on the fringes of the team.

Levante and Celta Vigo both enjoy solid relationships with Arsenal, and hope signing Galindo on loan next season would boost their partnerships. The two clubs want to establish a formal agreement with the Gunners, in a similar way that Salamanca did until recently.

However, the deal would depend on their La Liga status. Levante are currently battling relegation, while Celta Vigo are seeking promotion. Should neither be playing top flight football next season, another year at Salamanca seems inevitable.

The 18-year-old told ‘Salamanca Direct’ this week that he hoped to stay with The Union, but that the decision was out of his hands.

Galindo is not currently eligible for a work permit to play for Arsenal.