Author: Staff Writer

Carlos Vela has always had a successful relationship with the Carling Cup. Now the Mexican needs another fruitful night in the competition as he bids to kick start his stuttering Arsenal career.

It’s just over two years ago since Vela endeared himself to Arsenal fans with a classy hat-trick as a record breaking collection of prospects thrashed Sheffield United at The Emirates. It was supposed to be the start of a something special for the promising front man, but problems adapting, questions over his attitude and work rate and a selection of niggling injuries have threatened to curtail Carlos’ development.

Vela’s promise is one of the key reasons Arsène Wenger decided to move Eduardo on in the summer, and the stats don’t lie, the 21-year-old has had a good start to the season. In his seven appearances (one start and six from the bench) he has three goals. However, the emergence of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas from the Reserves and the return to fitness of Nicklas Bendtner leaves the youngster on the fringes.

Carlos still struggles with the English language; something the club partly takes responsibility for, due to their failure to make it part of the agreement with UD Salamanca. This is something that has changed with subsequent loanees Pedro Botelho and Samuel Galindo, but after being in London for over two years, he’s not made significant leaps.

There are also key issues regarding his weight and fitness. Vela has struggled to maintain a successful balance and found settling in difficult. That aside, a failure to deliver when it really matters has been another key issue. The Carling Cup and pre-season has always brought out the best from the Mexican international, but he is yet to deliver in really key games. Wenger even over looked him against Chelsea despite his good form, opting for the aforementioned Emmanuel-Thomas first.

The Newcastle United clash represents a new challenge. Arsenal have switched their focus this year and are willing to pump significant resources into progressing in the Carling Cup; a far cry from the team with an average age of 19 when Carlos made his debut. It means that tonight, although it is a Cup game, the pressure is on.

Vela needs a big performance tonight. Goals or at least a positive attitude and a willingness to work hard and create is the bare minimum. The prospect of him leaving is slim, but with such obvious quality and class, it’s about time he delivered.

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Arsène Wenger spent much of his Arsenal TV press conference hailing two of the club’s brightest talents ahead of tomorrow’s Carling Cup clash with Newcastle. However, such is the hunger to win the trophy, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Henri Lansbury are expected to have fringe roles at St James’ Park.

Wenger also took time out to confirm the goalkeeper situation. As Young Guns reported earlier in the season, the Frenchman was always determined to loan out third choice Vito Mannone rather than promising rookie Wojciech Szczęsny. Speaking yesterday, he said;

“Wojciech is the third choice. I decided at the start of the season that Vito would go on loan, but we couldn’t find the right club for him. Wojciech was always the number three.”

Many expect Szczęsny to start against Newcastle due to an injury to Manuel Almunia. However, he will have a fitness test today and is in contention to be a part of the squad. Elsewhere, Wenger lavishly praised Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who bagged a stunning hat-trick for the Reserves last week.

“He is knocking hard, with two hands! he has outstanding quality. He works hard to get his fitness right, and when he does, he will be a great player, not a good player. He has massive talent that you can’t give to people. And his build, he is built like a dream, but he also has a very short back lift.”

“He is unbelievable in front of goal. He’s an unbelievable finisher this guy. It’s just down to how far he wants to go. He has big potential.”

Henri Lansbury scored in the last round of the Cup and impressed. So what of him? and reports linking the midfielder with a second loan spell at Watford?

“I like Henri very much; because of his quality and desire. He is a Ray Parlour type. He has a good team attitude, endless engine and can get in the box. You could highly see him (start a Premier League game). He is one I want to keep at the club.”

Wenger is poised to name another strong squad, including Theo Walcott, Denilson, Nicklas Bendtner and other fringe first teamers.

Wojciech Szczęsny is seen by many, including Arsène Wenger, as Arsenal’s long term number one goalkeeper. A hugely successful loan spell with Brentford last season was supposed to be the start of his battle to be first-choice, but after months of frustration, Wojciech lashed out at the Frenchman in an interview in his home land.

The 20-year-old has gone a long way to repairing what has been a strained relationship with Wenger in recent years with a determined interview with Arsenal.com last week. However, talks over extending his contract, which expires at the end of the season, seem far from fruitful.

This week, Young Guns caught up with the respected Polish journalist and free-lance scout Michał Zachodny to discuss all things Szczęsny. Michał kicked things off with some thoughts on the interview that caused such furor earlier in the season.

“That famous Szczęsny interview came like a bolt from the blue; nobody expected that he may be unhappy at Arsenal. We could only hear how big a talent he is and his days as number three are numbered, especially with Almunia and Fabiański not impressing too much. Then it came out that he’s thinking about leaving and also sharing some very bitter comments about Wenger and his position.”

“We are not used to having Polish players regarded as a future star in such big clubs such as Arsenal so many took it as grief of maturing teenager or another evidence of him being, just like his father, a big mouth. He is highly rated in Poland, another top talent coming from Krzysztof Dowhań, already made a debut in national team and really regarded as future number one and maybe top goalkeeper in our history.”

Various loan moves have been mooted but Wenger was always set on sending Vito Mannone on loan. The refusal to let Wojciech continue his development elsewhere is a key mistake, according to Michał, who also rubbishes claims the ‘keeper made about his manager not having the bottle to play a young goalie.

“His comment that Wenger is not brave enough to give a chance to a teenager was a stupid one, but I think that the decision not to loan him out to Championship club was as misjudged as Szczęsny says it was. He deserved it and it would be much better for his future at Arsenal to spend another season playing rather than watching Almunia and Fabiański doing so.”

“Judging from his comments and knowing his personality, he’s ready to step up on the big scene and perform. I can’t see him changing clubs in the summer but I believe there will be few big clubs interested in his services.”

Szczęsny is currently part of a Poland one-two at Arsenal. Compatriot and good friend Lukasz Fabiański is beginning to establish himself as first choice, while Manuel Almunia’s injury means the youngster is back up. But what are the comparisons between the duo?

“I think that main difference between Fabiański and Szczęsny is confidence. The first one needs several games in a row, in which he plays well to match his potential while the latter is just full of it and it can be seen with every save he makes. Even when a mistake happens to him he recovers very quickly while Fabiański just struggles with the pressure and makes another one. Szczęsny looks better off the line, judging crosses better and fighting well for position in his box. I think that the reflexes of the younger one is way better and on and off the line, but Fabiański is better ‘catcher’ of the ball while Szczęsny often chooses just to punch.”

“Szczęsny has a great physical appearance and those six centimeters give him much needed advantage over his Polish teammate.”

After reading all the good points, the question every Arsenal fan wants answered is obvious. What does the future hold for Wojciech? Michał is clear.

“Although it looks like his future remains uncertain, I’m almost sure that Arsenal fans will enjoy his talent for many years to come. Arsène Wenger is not a person that misjudges young talent so often and Szczęsny already showed how promising a goalkeeper he is. If I was a Gooner, his comments could make me angry but as a Pole and especially remembering who his father is, I know that he simply has is in his blood to speak before he thinks.”

“That said, Arsène must give him a chance sooner rather than later, just to win him back and give him any hope of breaking into the squad. I think that next round of Carling Cup may be a win-win situation for both as I’m sure that Szczęsny will deliver and Wenger will prove that he is right about goalkeepers talent. The contract extension will come and situation will be back to normal with Arsenal fans looking with a smile on their future in goal.”

You can follow Michał on Twitter @PolishScout

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.

Luke Freeman started and played 57 minutes for Yeovil Town against Brighton at The Withdean Stadium. Freeman was his typical hard working self but he struggled to impose his play in a 2-0 defeat.

Kyle Bartley returned to the Sheffield United squad after suffering a fractured jaw, but he was an unused substitute in a 2-0 derby defeat against Doncaster.

Vito Mannone was an unused substitute for Hull City as they lost 2-1 to Portsmouth at the KC Stadium.

Cedric Evina was an unused substitute for Oldham Athletic as they lost 2-1 to Southampton at St Mary’s.

Sanchez Watt is expected to start for Leeds United who take on Cardiff City on Monday night.

Francis Coquelin was not part of the Lorient side that lost 1-0 to Nancy.

Armand Traore was not included in the Juventus squad which drew 0-0 with Bologna.

Nacer Barazite was an unused substitute for Vitesse Arnhem as they were thrashed 4-1 by FC Utrecht.

Pedro Botelho completed another impressive 90 minutes for FC Cartegena against Alcorcon. The Brazilian has been one of the stars of the Segunda season this year, and he continued his excellent form in the 1-0 win.

Samuel Galindo was not included in the UD Salamanca squad that was beaten 3-0 by Real Betis.

Elsewhere, Mark Randall completed his loan move to Rotherham this morning, signing a three month contract.

Arsenal are set to win a ‘Special Talent’ work visa for Brazilian forward Wellington Silva. It means the youngster will be available to join up with The Gunners from the 6th of January 2011.

Silva is currently preparing to fly to London for the third and final part of an adaptation period; a program set up by the club to make the transition from life in Brazil to England easier. Wellington leaves parent side Fluminense in frustrating circumstances with coach Muricy Ramalho freezing him out of first-team action.

Yet the end to his current nightmare is in sight. Silva is poised to be granted a special talent visa; a loophole allowing exceptional talent to move countries when they wouldn’t normally qualify for a work permit under conventional rules. Arsenal have previously exploited the rule, bringing both Alexandre Song and Denilson in via the same route.

The completion of the transfer in January will see Arsenal hand over the final payment of £850,000 for the remaining 25% of Silva’s ownership. It means the full transfer will have cost the club around £3.4 million.

Wellington Silva is on the cusp of completing his dream move to Arsenal. The Brazilian is due back in London later this month and after being pushed out of the Fluminense side, Silva is spending his time playing video games containing his soon to be team mates.

The 17-year-old finds himself in an uncomfortable situation with parent club Fluminense, with coach Muricy Ramalho refusing to pick him, and telling the media ‘his head was elsewhere’. Wellington is now packing his bags ahead of the third and final adaptation period in North London, designed to give him the best chance of settling in England. However, the situation with his parent club means he leaves on a bitter note.

“Ramalho never talked to me about it. I was very sad. I always had the dream of reaching the professional level with Fluminense, everybody does. I only get the basics from him now, the “good morning” and “good afternoon”. The year was complicated, but it taught me a lot. Anyway, I’m cheering them on for the title.”

The treatment from Ramalho has left an effect on Silva, but what of his future manager, Arsene Wenger?

“He’s a great coach. He received me very well, did well in training, and he observed. He’s a coach who always talks to me and gives me confidence. Now it’s time for me to show it on the field.”

Silva now spends his days playing video games with his brother Wallace. During the interview with Globo.com, he scores a goal with Fabregas, his future captain, but he’s taking note.

“The players of this level serve as a mirror for me”

“It’s kind of funny. I’m here playing video games with them and soon there’ll be close. I had the opportunity to live it, and it’s a great feeling to be with the best in the world. I keep preparing myself to come here and be welcomed by all, I want to tell them a little of my story too.”

Wellington is due to complete his transfer in January.

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In 2007, Kathrin Rothman – who claims to know nothing about football – won over £226,000 with a Champions League accumulator by “betting on teams that are strong and winning”.

She did manage to justify a £1,000 stake, which for a uniformed bet might suggest she didn’t really need her winnings.

Those of us with more modest budgets are not restricted from winning big, and we don’t even need to know any Pakistani cricketers.

Mark Simmons, an army chef, won £164,776 in 2002 when an astonishing 18 matches came in for him. Things did get nervy as he waited for Manchester United to find a winner against Everton though, which didn’t come until the 86th minute of the final match in the accumulator.

The better part of £200,000 goes a long way towards replacing a carpet worn bare by pacing.

So, can we get involved in the kind of winnings that Kathrin and Mark enjoyed? It takes more luck than judgment, but can be done especially with the number of online sports betting sites about these days.

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Norwegian Tippeligaen outfit Tromsø I.L have confirmed Arsenal’s interest in their midfield prospect Kara Mbodj, while agent Jim Solbakken admits he is exploring ‘new challenges’ for his client.

Young Guns broke the story of Arsenal’s interest in Mbodj in July, and also confirmed that representatives would be at last night’s clash with Molde. Kara impressed in the 1-0 defeat and after admitted he was aware that The Gunners were there to watch him.

“I know that Arsenal were here, but I try to shut that out in a game situation. I do not know what it is yet, but it is possible I will be in conversation afterwards.”

Sports Director Morten Kræmer later told VG.com he refused to allow any talks with the player but confessed he knew negotiations with interested clubs had already gone on with agents. Scouts from Hamburg and Genk were also present.

“There were several clubs here today, they have been here to see a match. There will be no meetings. There is no problem for us, they’re welcome to make checks. Kara can talk with his own agents and advisers. We have nothing to do with just that.”

Mbodj has been a revelation in the Norwegian league this term, turning in several dominate and powerful displays in central midfield. At home at centre back or in a holding role, Arsenal are thought to want to pay around £3 million, although The Daily Mail says a bid of £28 million will be lodged in January.

The key to any deal swinging in Arsenal’s favour lays with agent Jim Solbakken. He has close links with Arsène Wenger and currently represents Håvard Nordtveit and Sean McDermott. He opened the door for a potential move last week;

“We are looking for new challenges for Kara. But there is no hurry. Kara is doing well at Tromsø.”

Steve Rowley is expected to make further checks on Mbodj before January.