Author: Staff Writer

Wellington Silva has announced he will be writing a regular blog for Brazilian news agency Globo. The aim of the feature is to update his huge fan base on how he is acclimatizing to life in England and to also give general news updates on what he’s learnt so far.

The 17-year-old published his first article this morning. It read;

“Hi, my name is Wellington Silva, Fluminense footballer. Starting from next year I will play for Arsenal in England. I am in the UK going through a period of acclimatization to adapt to the area and better get to know my future teammates. This blog will allow you to know how my day to day life is going in England. I will stay in Europe until 5th September. You can be sure that I will have many things to talk about.”

“I know that it will be really difficult to get used to life in England, above all the weather, the language and food. Therefore I am taking English lessons and am going in search of new experiences. During this period I have already played in four friendlies for Arsenal’s B team. We won three and lost one. I managed to score a goal in our match with Manchester United last week.”

“All the best. I will let you know more tomorrow.”

You can view Silva’s blog here.

Arsenal have stepped up their search for a teenage left back and have identified several potential targets. Reports emanating from Africa suggest the Gunners are trialing Emmanuel Mbola, but Young Guns can confirm the club are watching Anderlecht’s Jordan Lukaku in a tournament in Switzerland.

Zambian media outlets reported last week that TP Mazembe’s 17-year-old full back Mbola was in North London and was training with Arsenal, but neither party refused to confirm the reports and Gilles Grimandi told one African paper the trial was not happening. The Daily Mirror says today that Arsène Wenger will run the rule over Emmanuel in the future.

Mbola has offers from club’s based all over Europe but he’s currently under investigation over his transfer to Mazembe from Pyunik Yerevan in 2009. The player has over 20 caps for Zambia despite being only 17.

However, whilst there is an interest in Mbola, Arsenal are exploring other options. Scouts will be watching Jordan Lukaku, brother of Romelu, in action for Belgium’s Under 17’s this week. Lukaku is a strong and powerful left back but he can also play in midfield and without the work permit complications, Jordan would be the preferred option.

Arsenal currently have James Campbell, George Brislen-Hall, Cedric Evina and Thomas Cruise as Under 18 and Reserve left back options.

American inventor Charles Goodyear patented the process for the vulcanization of rubber in the early 1900. Over a century later, who would have known his original idea of a trainer would go on to be one of the most popular items in the world.

However, it wasn’t until the 20’s and 30’s when trainers really took off and traction was added. Upon the revamp of the Olympics they became increasing popular with French brand Spring Court making Tennis shoes with 8 ventilation channels on the vulcanized natural rubber sole.

By the 1980’s they reached their peak with Woody Allen famously wearing them to Ballet and sports brands Nike and Adidas clocking up huge sales and sponsorship deals among sports men. With a new design and a massive marketing budget, trainers became a fashion statement and a definition of identity and personality rather than humble athletic aids.

However, the performance combined with sleek and light design make modern trainers like the Adidas Originals a must for any fashion expert or enthusiastic sports man.

Liam Brady proudly announced last week that the Arsenal Academy would rather “produce a player than win trophies”. That’s pressure enough for the potential stars of the future coming through the system, but with back to back Premier Academy League titles under their belt, there’s also an expectancy for success.

Steve Bould’s class of 2010-2011 had their first opportunity to impress their new teacher on Saturday, but it was Manchester City’s slick kids who dished out the lesson. Bould welcomed his Hale End graduates to competitive football with a trademark dressing-down at the break, while City were 3-0 in front. Despite a late rally, it finished 5-2. A crushing start.

The 08-09 crop achieved history with a league and cup double and the 09-10 side romped to the title last year, meaning all eyes are on Bould’s new look outfit looking to make it hat-trick of a league titles. But what can we expect?

Bould looks set to continue with the 4-3-3 formation being employed throughout the ranks, with the midfield three being made up of one play maker, one holding player and one box-to-box and industrious player. Last year Chuks Aneke was the number 10, Nico Yennaris anchored the midfield and Oğuzhan Özyakup and Conor Henderson both proved to be very efficient defending and attacking.

This years crop looks just as exciting. Josh Rees and Jernade Meade will take up the play-maker and box-to-box roles with Meade’s superb dribbling and defensive awareness proving key. Rees is a tough but creative player who will get goals, but he can also get wide and cross, allowing Jeffrey Monakana to join strikers Philip Roberts, Zak Ansah or Nigel Neita in the middle.

The key role is the holding one, where Callum Webb is a more than adequate replacement for Yennaris. Webb may be small, but he’s determined, powerful, and quick in the tackle. His eye for a pass out of midfield will also be a key outlet, allowing him to pick out Monakana and Bihmoutine wide of the front three.

The back four and goalkeeping situations are very open. Sean McDermott faces competition from Emi Martínez and new scholar Reice Charles-Cook, but the latter should switch between Under 16 games and being a substitute. McDermott got the nod against City with Martínez in Ireland, but a role reversal at some stage is inevitable.

Swiss duo Martin Angha and Elton Monteiro look set to form a commanding and technical centre back partnership. Both are over 6 foot and with Martin being right footed and Elton left, the balance that Arsenal look for in defensive setups is certainly there. The two will also be a threat from set pieces.

Overall, the crop of 2010-2011 are among some of the most interesting and naturally talented to have come through the ranks in recent years. All have the classic Arsenal style and spirit and although they’ve got big boots to fill and the defeat to City exposed flaws, Bould has another collection of technically astute and highly promising talent to work with.

Neil Banfield’s Reserves wrapped up their Platinum One Challenge campaign with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium this afternoon. Henri Lansbury, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Mark Randall got the goals as the Gunners’ finished top of the pile.

You can read a full match report here, or see highlights via David Fitzpatrick below.

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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 for Sheffield United as they lost 1-0 to Middlesbrough. Bartley turned in a solid shift, winning various headers and keeping Kris Boyd quiet for much of the game. However, Boyd managed to get clear of Kyle and bag the winner in the 52nd minute.

Sanchez Watt completed the 90 minutes for Leeds United against close rivals Millwall at Elland Road. Watt began the move which led to Lloyd Sam’s equaliser. Sanchez used his pace down the left wing before intelligently cutting the ball inside for Howson who setup Sam. Watt was excellent all game as Leeds won 3-1.

Luke Freeman managed to pass a late fitness test and start for Yeovil against Hartlepool. Town lost 2-0 with Freeman turning in a mixed performance on the left of midfield. Luke was taken off after 56 minutes.

Francis Coquelin came off the bench to play the final 30 minutes against Marseille at the Velodrome. Lorient were comfortably outplayed and lost 2-0, but Coquelin did come on help protect the back four in the closing stages.

Neil Banfield’s Reserves wrapped up their Platinum One Challenge campaign with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium this afternoon. Henri Lansbury, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Mark Randall got the goals as the Gunners’ finished top of the pile.

Banfield rotated his side against a very young Shamrock team, handing a full debut to goalkeeper Emilio Damián Martínez, while Nico Yennaris, Daniel Boateng, Cedric Evina, Mark Randall and Roarie Deacon also started.

Martínez
Yennaris – Hoyte – Boateng – Evina
Randall – Eastmond – Lansbury
Deacon – Emmanuel-Thomas – Silva

Subs: Shea, Nordtveit, Cruise, Aneke, Afobe.

Arsenal had began with amazing pace against Manchester United, and Banfield employed the same tactics against the Rovers. The Gunners pressed right from the offset and took the lead with nine minutes when Silva fed Emmanuel-Thomas, he clipped the ball inside the back four and Lansbury ran through to finish.

Just six minutes later it was 2-0 as Emmanuel-Thomas added the finish to a fine passing move, slamming home beyond Pat Jennings in the Shamrock goal. Arsenal kept pressing and pressing and a further six minutes later, they had another. Randall showed his superb close control to dribble beyond the challenges of Gannon and Flood and fire home number three.

The visitors took their foot off the gas at 3-0, and Shamrock hit back. Evina failed to deal with Murphy’s right wing cross and Daniel McGuinness got in front of Boateng to volley one back. 3-1 at the break.

The second half brought more great chances, but only one fell to Arsenal. Martínez made save after save to keep the scores down as substitutions unsettled the flow of the game. It should have been 3-2 when O’Connor sent Murphy through, but Martínez, on his first start for the club, made a fine one handed save to keep him at bay. Murphy had a similar chance moments later, but Deacon threw his body in the way and blocked it behind for a corner.

There was just time for Deacon to burst away from his full back and slam an effort at Jenning’s, but he saved, and it finished 3-1.

Benfica have ended negotiations with Arsenal over full back Armand Traoré. The French defender has failed to agree personal terms despite previously admitting his desire to complete the transfer to the Aguias.

Traoré had a medical at the Estadio da Luz yesterday after both club’s agreed on a £3.4 million deal, with £2 million being paid up front. Arsenal had also negotiated a favourable sell on clause of around 25% but Armand’s wage demands saw the deal break down. The former Monaco trainee is on around £12,000 a week with the Gunners, whereas Benfica are keen to pay around half that as the player is under 21 and not currently getting first team action.

Armand has now returned to London. As yet there are no other club’s in contact over the player.