Author: Staff Writer

Vito Mannone is open to extending his stay with Championship outfit Hull City and is refusing to rule out a permanent transfer. Mannone is on loan to The Tigers until January and manager Nigel Pearson is keen to prolong the Italian’s stay.

The 22-year-old has made three appearances for Hull; keeping two clean sheets and making a selection of stunning saves. The switch came a matter of weeks after a damming interview in the foreign media, where Vito revealed his frustration at Arsène Wenger’s management of the club’s much talked about goalkeeper situation.

The criticism led to speculation that Mannone’s future is away from the Emirates. Hull could open up an escape route and in an interview with The Yorkshire Evening Post, he refused to rule it out.

“I don’t know what will happen. If the club is happy, and I’m happy, then we’ll sit down and make a decision.”

Vito went on to speak about his time at Arsenal; revealing a conversation he had with Wenger about his position.

“Wenger wanted me to play outfield. Sometimes I even train outfield to improve a little bit. I always liked to play outfield as well.”

“I played only one game outfield when I was five. I changed my mind and asked my dad if he could ask my manager to put me in goal. From that time I never came out of the sticks.”

Mannone will be keeping the gloves on, but whether he’ll be keeping goal for Arsenal in the future, it remains to be seen.

Arsenal’s ever growing list of loanees had a quiet weekend due to the adverse weather conditions, but for a selection of them, they had changes off the pitch to deal with.

Thomas Cruise and Benik Afobe have both had their loan deals extended into the New Year. Cruise will now stay with Carlisle United until the 8th of January. The left back has been largely successful with United and will look to earn a further extension until the end of the season.

Afobe will also be on loan until at least the 8th of January. Arsenal confirmed our story from a week ago about Huddersfield Town agreeing to keep the young striker; although Benik will return for FA Youth Cup games. The 17-year-old has earned mass praise in Yorkshire, bagging three goals and three assists in just seven matches.

Elsewhere, Aaron Ramsey is progressing with Nottingham Forest. The Welshman is close to full fitness and is just waiting on game time to regain his top form.

Further a field, Samuel Galindo is waiting on a decision tomorrow morning on whether he will need surgery on a broken ankle. Galindo suffered the fracture in training and Head Doctor José Ignacio Garrido will now consult with Salamanca’s medical team to decide on surgery.

You can follow the latest on all Arsenal’s loanees in Young Guns’ regular ‘Loanees’ reports.

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.

Henri Lansbury played all but stoppage for Norwich City as they beat Derby County 2-1. Henri again started on the right of midfield and came close to scoring in the first half, having a powerful header cleared off the line. Lansbury also started the move that led to Norwich’s first goal.

Aaron Ramsey was not in action this weekend after Nottingham Forest’s game with Bristol City was postponed.

Vito Mannone was not in action this weekend after Hull City’s game with Queens Park Rangers was postponed.

Kyle Bartley was not in action this weekend after Sheffield United’s game with Reading was postponed.

Sanchez Watt was not included in the Leeds United squad that beat Crystal Palace 2-1.

Benik Afobe was not in action this weekend after Huddersfield Town’s game with Dagenham and Redbridge was postponed.

Cédric Evina was not in action this weekend after Oldham Athletic’s game with Walsall was postponed.

Thomas Cruise was not in action this weekend after Carlisle United’s game with Leyton Orient was postponed.

Gavin Hoyte was not in action this weekend after Lincoln City’s game with Cheltenham Town was postponed.

Francis Coquelin played the full 90 minutes and claimed an assist as Lorient lost 6-3 to Lille. Coquelin turned in another impressive shift in midfield and set up Kevin Gamiero for Lorient’s opener.

Armand Traoré was not part of the Juventus squad for their game with Catania after returning to France following the death of his father.

Nacer Barazite played the final 11 minutes of Vitesse Arnhem’s 4-1 defeat to Groningen. The Dutchman played as a striker late on.

Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes on the left of a front three as FC Cartagena drew 1-1 with Albacete. Botelho continued in his great form the left, creating a selection of good chances to score the winner.

Samuel Galindo was an unused substitute for UD Salamanca was they lost 3-1 to Elche.

The Nigerian Football Federation are hoping to meet with Chuks Aneke in the coming weeks in a bid to clarify his international future. Aneke was born in England but is eligible to play for Nigeria through his parentage.

The Super Eagles appointed Samson Siasia as Head Coach in November following a selection of poor performances during the World Cup. Siasia promised to improve the attitude and performance of the national team and to seek new blood. Aneke, who is regarded as one of the best emerging prospects at Arsenal, is seen as one of many potential coups Nigeria could make as they start to build for a new generation.

The 17-year-old is an England Under 18 international and has represented the country of his birth since school boy level. However, a selection of Nigerian news outlets have followed his progress and the hope is that he would defect from England.

No talks have been arranged yet, but Siasia is ready to personally travel to London for talks with Aneke.

For the hottest Arsenal products this Christmas, check out ArseShirts.

Benik Afobe will remain on loan with Huddersfield Town, Young Guns can confirm. The League One outfit have reached an agreement with Arsenal to keep Afobe beyond the original December 4th deadline.

The 17-year-old has impressed in his short spell in Yorkshire, bagging three goals and three assists in just seven matches. Manager Lee Clark has lauded Benik publicly, calling him “another fantastic young player from the Arsenal production line.” However, Arsenal did step in and ask Clark to be careful over the amount of playing time the youngster was receiving, fearing burnout.

The extension will see Afobe remain with Huddersfield until January, where more talks will be held over a potential deal until the end of the season. Due to the conditions of the loan, the striker will be available for all of Arsenal’s FA Youth Cup commitments.

You can follow Benik’s progress throughout December in Young Guns’ regular ‘Loanees’ roundups.

Arsène Wenger has key decisions to make ahead of tomorrows Carling Cup Quarter-Final with Wigan Athletic. Injuries plus the return to fitness of goalkeeper Manuel Almunia leaves the Frenchman needing to make difficult choices.

Wenger has chosen a largely experienced side to compete in this years Cup campaign, with fringe Reserves proving the exception and not the rule. However, the change in fitness to some of the expected squad means important decisions in key areas need to be made.

Wojciech Szczęsny impressed against Newcastle United in the last round, but Manuel Almunia has since returned to fitness and is pushing to reclaim the right to be Łukasz Fabiański’s back up. Elsewhere, Emmanuel Eboué has been ruled out for a month so Håvard Nordtveit could take his place at right back.

Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner are all expected to form a front line, but options on the bench are still yet to be decided. Carlos Vela has been doing extra fitness work, along with van Persie, but he faces competition from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas who would also add versatility.

The biggest selection issue comes in central midfield. Craig Eastmond played against Newcastle but has looked shaky in bigger games. Alexandre Song would preferably be rested, yet questions marks still remain over Eastmond.

You can follow the build up to the game 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.

Aaron Ramsey is expected to feature for Nottingham Forest as they play Leicester City on Monday night.

Henri Lansbury started and played 80 minutes on his Norwich City debut against Ipswich Town in the East Anglian derby. Lansbury, who starred on the right of midfield, claimed an assist by playing in Grant Holt for the second of Norwich’s four goals. Henri also started the moves which led to the third and fourth strikes.

Vito Mannone played the full 90 minutes for Hull City and conceded his first goals since joining the Tigers as they drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough at home.

Kyle Bartley played the full 90 minutes at centre back as Sheffield United were beaten 3-0 by Bristol City. Bartley was not at fault for the any of the goals as City cruised to victory.

Sanchez Watt was not part of the Leeds United side that drew 0-0 with Reading.

Benik Afobe played the full 90 minutes, scored and assisted as Huddersfield Town thrashed Macclesfield Town 6-1. You can read a more in depth report of Afobe’s performance here.

Cédric Evina played 73 minutes and scored as Oldham Athletic drew 1-1 with Rochdale. Evina opened the scoring after 16 minutes, curling home a shot from the edge of the box with his left foot.

Thomas Cruise played 45 minutes for Carlisle United as they edged Tamworth 3-2 in the second round of the FA Cup. Cruise, who went off injured last weekend, came on at left back at half time.

Gavin Hoyte played the full 90 minutes at right back for Lincoln City as they drew 2-2 with Hereford United in the second round of the FA Cup. The fixture will now go to a replay.

Francis Coquelin played the full 90 minutes against Rennes. Coquelin turned in another fantastic display in a defensive midfield role, making two great tackles on France star Yann M’Vila.

Armand Traoré was an unused substitute for Juventus as they drew 1-1 with Fiorentina.

Nacer Barazite was not part of the Vitesse Arnhem side that drew 1-1 with De Graafschap.

Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes on the left of a front three as FC Cartagena beat Real Valladolid 1-0. Botelho had several chances to score in the opening minutes, and provided a selection of good crosses.

Samuel Galindo was not part of the UD Salamanca side that drew 1-1 with Girona.

Benik Afobe could, and probably should, have been tucked up in the warm this afternoon, as Arsenal’s Under 18’s saw their clash with Watford postponed due to bad weather.

The fixture was seen as perfect preparation ahead of the FA Youth Cup campaign, but Afobe is in the big time. He took the brave decision to join Huddersfield Town last month, and as the loan inches closer to its expiry date, it looks to have been a fantastic choice.

Afobe started this afternoon against Macclesfield Town in the second round of the FA Cup. He had been rested in recent games, with Arsenal fearing burn out. The break did Benik the world of good. Having spent the opening 30 minutes being kicked and fouled by on loan Everton defender Aristote Nslala, the forward came to life and helped send Huddersfield into the money spinning third round.

In the 35th minute, Benik got in around the back and squared for Anthony Pilkington to make it 2-0, then with just seconds left of the first half, he pounced to seal the win. Lee Peltier’s right wing cross found the 17-year-old in the box. He took a touch and coolly finished in the bottom corner.

The pacy front-man had further chances to add to his fruitful afternoon; including one dangerous header in the box, but with the score at 6-0, the job was comfortably done.

Benik’s three goals and two assists in Yorkshire will certainly make Arsène Wenger take note.

Aaron Ramsey has signed for Nottingham Forest on loan. The Welshman moves on a short term deal, until January 3, 2011. There is no option for an extension on either side.

Ramsey, who played his first 45 minutes in nine months on Tuesday, will move to the promotion hopefuls in a bid to build up his fitness ahead of a return to Arsenal in the New Year.

Aaron has 50 first-team appearances for the Gunners but a break in Reserve team action is seen as the driving reason behind sending the youngster on loan.

You can follow Aaron’s progress with Nottingham in our regular ‘Loanees’ roundups.