Author: Staff Writer

Henri Lansbury played in goal for the final 30 minutes of England Under 21’s clash with Germany U21’s this evening. Lansbury, who started the game on the right wing, went between the sticks when Jason Steele was sent off on the hour mark.

Lansbury began the game well in the opening stages, almost finding Scott Sinclair with a free-kick with just 10 minutes on the clock. However, it was a rare England attack as Germany began to dominate and eventually take the lead through Konstantin Rausch.

Jason Steele replaced goalkeeper Scott Loach in goal at half time and did well, making two key saves to stop it being 2-0. Lansbury then found Nathan Defouneso with a fantastic ball in-between the centre backs but the Villa striker lashed wide.

Then came Henri’s big moment. Steele was sent off after clipping down Germany’s Vukcevic and Lansbury, who often plays in goal during training for Arsenal, took Steele’s gloves and jersey and went in goal to face the penalty. Cenk Tosun sent him the wrong way from 12 yards. 2-0.

Lansbury then went on to make a selection of good saves to keep it at 2-0. He first did well to tip over Vukcevic’s flick header from close range and then save Tosun’s long range drive. Henri didn’t have a lot to do after as England searched for a conciliation, but two further long range efforts and another header in the penalty area were all dealt with by the Gunners midfielder in with succession.

It finished 2-0 but Henri’s performance in goal will memorable in a largely unforgettable fixture for the young Lions.

GCR Books are well known for producing in depth and intriguing Arsenal-related books. Titles such as ‘The Arsenal Stadium Mystery’ and ‘Herbert Chapman On Football’ have all positioned GCR as a respected publishing outlet.

The latest addition to the growing family, ‘Billy Gooner’s First Match’, is something quite different. Aimed at the younger supporter, author Greg Adams has teamed up with illustrator Debbie Mitchell to produce 16 pages each of text and illustrations.

The story is set in 1976; as Billy Gooner celebrates his seventh birthday with an unexpected trip to Highbury with his Dad to watch Arsenal play West Ham United. The timing seems odd and a little out of touch but it works well, educating young Gooners about the history of the club while also maintaining traditional values.

The plot on the whole is naturally tame for a book aimed at youngsters, but still offers a selection of ups and downs along the way. Priced at £5.99 from GCR Books or £6.99 from the major online book-sellers, Billy Gooner’s First Match offers a good read, beautiful illustrations and a sense of history and traditional at a reasonable price.

The book is available from the online shop at GCR Books.

VfB Stuttgart midfielder Serge Gnabry is set to fly to London next month for an adaptation training period ahead of his transfer to Arsenal in July. The Gunners have already agreed on a deal which will see Gnabry join on his 16th birthday.

Serge impressed during a trial earlier in the season and the club moved quickly to secure his services. The youngster shot to fame after starring for Stuttgart’s youth side in last seasons Nike Cup. The central midfielder, who is also at home on the wing, has already been given scholarship terms and will be a part of the Under 18’s next season.

Gnabry was born in Germany to Ivorian parents but has already settled on his international future. Last month he played for the German Under 16’s in a friendly against Northern Ireland. He won the Man of the Match award, scoring a fantastic opener and then playing a part in the others in a 4-3 win.

You can view a video of Serge in action against Ireland below. It features his opener, seconds into the video, a collection of assists including two superb dribbles and crosses.

Click Here To Watch

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.

Vito Mannone played the full 90 minutes on his Hull City debut in a 2-0 win over Preston on Friday night. City came into the game in the bottom three but 12 saves from Mannone, including two stunning stops, helped them survive a barrage from Preston and win 2-0.

Kyle Bartley played the full 90 minutes at centre back for Sheffield United as they beat Millwall 1-0. Bartley was arguably The Blades’ Man of the Match, making several key blocks and tackles and earning a rare clean sheet.

Sanchez Watt missed Leeds United 3-1 win over Bristol City due to injury.

Benik Afobe completed his third 90 minutes in a week for Huddersfield Town as they lost 1-0 to Cedric Evina’s Oldham Athletic. Afobe failed to add to his brace and assist in midweek but did come close with a flicked header late on.

Cedric Evina played 85 minutes at left back for Oldham Athletic as they beat Benik Afobe’s Huddersfield United 1-0.

Luke Freeman came off the bench to play the final 15 minutes for Yeovil Town against Dagenham and Redbridge. Freeman came on with the scores level at 1-1 but two late goals, including one from former Gunner Abu Ogogo saw The Daggers snatch the win.

Thomas Cruise was an unused substitute for Carlisle United as they beat Southampton 3-2 at Brunton Park.

Gavin Hoyte wrapped up another 90 minutes at right back for Lincoln City as they beat Morecambe 2-1.

Mark Randall missed Rotherham’s 0-0 draw with York City due to a broken cheek bone.

Francis Coquelin was restored to the bench following the return of Arnold Mvuemba after the death of his son. However, Coquelin did play the final 21 minutes as a substitute against PSG. Francis was booked seconds after coming on for a poor challenge on Ceara. It finished 1-1.

Armand Traore played the final 43 minutes for Juventus on his debut against Roma. Traore replaced Fabio Grosso at left back two minutes after half time.

Nacer Barazite, who scored in the Dutch Cup in midweek, was an unused substitute for Vitesse Arnhem as they thrashed VVV 5-1.

Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes on the left of a five man midfield as Recreativo Huelva beat FC Cartagena 3-0. Botelho showed early promise by cutting inside and smashing an effort inches over. Yet Recreativo stepped up their play in the second half and cruised to victory.

Samuel Galindo was an unused substitute for UD Salamanca as they lost 3-2 to Ponferradina.

Jack Wilshere has been nominated for Tuttosport’s Golden Boy award for 2010. The prestigious accolade is handed to the best player, under 21 years of age, over the past year. It has previously been scooped by the likes of Cesc Fabregas, in 2006, and was claimed last year by Alexandre Pato.

Tuttosport published their nominations this afternoon, naming their 40 candidates for the award, with Wilshere an early front runner. British talent is scarce on the list, with Jack being one of only two English players named. The other is Aston Villa’s Nathan Delfouneso.

However, UK based talent does feature heavily, with Manchester United’s Rafael, Federico Macheda and Bebé joined by Gaël Kakuta from Chelsea, Dani Pacheco from Liverpool and Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli. Former Gunner Fran Mérida is also included.

You can cast your vote, plus see all the candidates via the Tuttosport website.

Wellington Silva has all but completed his much anticipated move to Arsenal. The Brazilian is in England for training, but a decision has been taken for him to stay in London until he is eligible to play for the club in January.

Silva touched down in the capital earlier this month for the third and final part of a three stage adaptation period. The program has been designed to help the 17-year-old acclimatize to life in England ahead of the completion of his transfer from Fluminense in January.

However, after Wellington fell out of favour with the Rio based outfit, Arsenal have moved to protect the player. He will now train as normal with the Reserve team, but instead of returning to his home land at the end of November, the Brazil Under 17 international will remain in England.

Arsenal can complete the transfer, buying the remainder for his ownership and registering him with the Premier League, from the 6th of January. A ‘special talent’ work visa has already been granted. A return to Rio is expected at some stage in the coming month, as the youngster says his final goodbyes and collects the remainder of his possessions.

Silva is expected to play out the remainder of the season with Neil Banfield’s Reserve team. He will also be eligible to feature in the FA Youth Cup, should Steve Bould decide to use the forward.

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.

Kyle Bartley played the full 90 minutes at centre back as Sheffield United lost 2-1 to Ipswich Town. Bartley and United struggled to deal with Town’s long throws, two of which resulted in goals. In a frustrating afternoon, Kyle was booked late on.

Benik Afobe made his first professional start and played the full 90 minutes for Huddersfield Town against Cambridge United. Afobe endured a torrid first half as the hosts looked likely to cause a notable upset, however, after manager Lee Clark changed things in the second half, Afobe impressed. The young striker could have scored the winner late on, but the game finished 0-0 and went to a replay.

Thomas Cruise started and played the full 90 minutes at left back as Carlisle United cruised into the second round of the FA Cup. Cruise, on his debut, turned in s decent shift at left back, but was rarely troubled.

Cedric Evina wrapped up another 90 minutes for Oldham Athletic at left back but he couldn’t prevent his side from a surprise 3-2 defeat to Accrington Stanley.

Gavin Hoyte played the full 90 minutes for Lincoln City as they claimed a 1-0 win over Nuneaton. Hoyte played the full game at right back.

Sanchez Watt missed Leeds United’s 3-2 win over Coventry City due to injury.

Mark Randall missed Rotherham’s 0-0 draw with York City due to a broken cheek bone.

Vito Mannone was an unused substitute for Hull City as they lost 1-0 to Scunthorpe United in the Humberside derby.

Luke Freeman was an unused substitute for Yeovil as they beat Rushden and Diamonds 1-0.

Francis Coquelin played the full 90 minutes for Lorient as they beat Saint Etienne 2-1. Coquelin was fantastic in a holding midfield role but did get involved in the attacking side, assisting for one of Kevin Gameiro’s two goals.

Armand Traore missed Juventus’ 2-1 win over Cesena due to injury

Nacer Barazite played the final 8 minutes of Vitesse Arnhem’s 1-1 draw against AZ Alkmaar. Barazite replaced Julian Jenner late on and his influence tolled as Vitesse grabbed a 90th minute equaliser.

Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes at left back for FC Cartagena as they beat Granada 2-1. Botelho turned in another fantastic shift, playing his part for Cartagena’s first goal.

Samuel Galindo replaced Marcos Márquez with 8 minutes left of Salamanca’s 1-0 win over Albacete.