Author: Staff Writer

Arsenal’s Reserves have kicked off their Platinum One Challenge campaign with a 2-1 win over their Manchester United counterparts at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. An early Jay Emmanuel-Thomas penalty got the Gunners going before Wellington Silva scored a fine solo goal in the second half. Kiko Macheda set up a tight finish with his 71st minute strike.

Liam Brady selected a strong Arsenal team which included first-team players Havard Nordtveit, Henri Lansbury and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. However, he did lose two options from his squad, with Emmanuel Frimpong pulling out with an injury and Jay Simpson staying behind to complete his move to Hull City. Wellington Silva started on the right of a dangerous looking front three.

Shea
Nordtveit – Hoyte – Miquel – Cruise
Aneke – Eastmond – Lansbury
Silva – Afobe – Emmanuel-Thomas

Subs: Martínez, Boateng, Yennaris, Evina, Deacon.

Arsenal snapped out of the traps and went straight at Manchester United. Within three minutes the first chance came as Emmanuel-Thomas slipped Henri Lansbury in on goal, but Amos saved well. Lansbury then curled a free kick into Amos’ arms in a quick succession of chances.

Macheda and Aneke then exchanged long range efforts which were both wide before the Gunners snatched the lead from the spot following a clumsy foul by Wooton. Emmanuel-Thomas sent Amos the wrong way from 12 yards, Arsenal 1-0.

United were getting out played by Arsenal but they did have a chance to get back into it when Norwood tried his luck from Cleverley’s corner, but it was straight at Shea. Emmanuel-Thomas was then at the heart of two amazing chances on the half hour mark. First he tried to chip Amos who clawed the ball away, then he fed Eastmond who put Afobe through, but Amos saved again.

The final chance of the first half fell to Afobe again who had his shot stabbed away by Amos’ feet’s after being released by Silva. Half time and Arsenal in front.

Half Time – Arsenal 1-0 Manchester United

The Gunners came out for the second half looking to double their advantage. Five minutes after the restart, they did. Wellington Silva burst inside the United back four from the right, they tried to catch him but couldn’t, and Silva thrashed the ball beyondAmos with a confident finish. 2-0.

United were being comfortably outplayed but on the break they were always dangerous. Brady should have scored after getting away from Cruise, but he fired over. With 20 minutes left, Manchester United did get their goal. Kiko Macheda raced away from the back four and had his powerful shot spilled by Shea. The Italian made no mistakes with the re-bound, making it 2-1.

It was completely against the run of play, and Arsenal wanted to put the scoreline right. Emmanuel-Thomas paced the back four again, but he lost his concentration and could only find back of the stand, not Amos’ net. Afobe should have righted Jay’s wrong, but despite beating his defender and the goalkeeper, he lashed wide.

Yennaris replaced Afobe with 10 minutes left as the Gunners looked to shut up shop. Vermeijl did try and trouble the defence with a Rory Delap style long throw, but the excellent Nordtveit was bullish and cleared. It was a clearance which epitomized the confidence Arsenal had shown.

They stroked the ball around at the back to run the clock down, and it worked. Arsenal comfortable and classy 2-1 winners.

Emmanuel Frimpong has torn his cruciate ligaments in training, Young Guns can confirm. The midfielder will be out for up to nine months in total.

More to follow.

Update: Confirmed by the club.

Arsenal’s Reserves kick off their Platinum One Challenge campaign tonight against Manchester United’s Reserves at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. The three team tournament got underway last week, with United beating hosts Shamrock Rovers 3-0.

Neil Banfield has taken a strong squad to the Emerald Isle with newly promoted first-team players Henri Lansbury, Havard Nordtveit, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Craig Eastmond and Emmanuel Frimpong all being included. Jay Simpson has also travelled while the club have won an extension to Wellington Silva’s work permit, allowing him to take part.

We caught up with Manchester United Reserves expert Nick from United Youth to gauge the Red Devils views on tonight’s fixture. We kicked off by asking him about the United travelling party;

“Neville’s been confirmed as travelling, he played in the opening game against Shamrock Rovers. I’d expect he’ll maybe play 45 mins or an hour in both games. He’s had no real pre-season to speak of so far. Elsewhere it’ll be the bulk of the side that won the Reserve League last season, minus a few who’ve gone out on loan but bolstered by a few of the academy players you’ll have seen in that Academy League semi-final in May.”

“Ritchie de Laet’s the leader at the back, Reserves Player of the Year last season and has played a few games for the first-team already. Lots of talk he’s off on loan but if it doesn’t happen in the next few days he should feature. Magnus Eikrem’s been captain throughout pre-season – he’s very much the playmaker and a set-piece specialist (as is Oliver Norwood). The front three are all very young but Nicky Ajose in particular has had a really prolific pre-season from the wing.”

Thoughts on the make up of the tournament and what role it will play in both season’s preparations?

“I guess it’s all about putting the finishing touch to preparation. We’ve played half a dozen games against a variety of opposition, everyone’s got plenty of games under their belts, I’d expect to see us play our first-choice lineup for these couple of games now (perhaps with the exception of Gary Neville, who looks set to feature as part of his return from yet another injury). It’s good to have a test against a side like Arsenal, especially with the way the reserves league has been revamped, and the Shamrock Rovers first-team should provide a decent challenge for both of us. It’ll be a great experience to play in front of (hopefully) a big crowd over in Ireland as well, with English football and both clubs being so popular.”

Finally, a view on the team Arsenal are taking and what they can offer?

“A lot of them are quite familiar from past youth team encounters, various England youth squads and spells out on loan, although I can’t claim to have seen too much of any of them really. There’s clearly a lot of quality at Arsenal. lots of players on the fringes of the first-team or with senior experience elsewhere – the likes of Lansbury, Frimpong, Randall etc. I’d guess a few of those from the side that beat us on penalties in the Academy League semi last season will be involved too. I’ve been quite impressed by Thomas Cruise from what I’ve seen of him, he was one of the few England players to stand out in the U19 Euros last month.”

Arsenal are in talks with Sevilla over defender Sébastien Squillaci, according to respected French news outlet Canal+. If the transfer goes through, defender Håvard Nordtveit will be made available for loan.

Squillaci was left out of the Sevilla squad for tonight’s Champions League clash with Sporting Braga amid firm reports in France that Arsenal are planning to snap up the experienced Frenchman. Arsène Wenger had told Nordtveit earlier in the summer he wouldn’t be part of the first-team, but with defensive recruitment’s failing to come to fruition, he had allowed the 19-year-old to stay with the first-team.

However, if the Gunners can wrap up a deal for Squillaci, Wenger will listen to loan offers for the prospect.

More to follow.

Arsenal have ended their interest in Ryo Miyaichi after the Japanese winger had his leg badly broken during a trial match with Ajax. Miyaichi had previously spent a week training with the Gunners and had impressed Arsène Wenger.

Ryo featured in two of Arsenal’s second-string matches during pre-season, playing 60 and 45 minutes against Boreham Wood and AFC Wimbledon. The tricky left winger had already agreed on a trial with Ajax, but left North London with encouraging words from Wenger and the promise that scouts would be following his progress.

However, Miyaichi suffered a double break to his fibula after being victim of a horror tackle during a friendly against SVV Scheveningen. The Ajax coaching staff were left distraught by the injury. Reports in the Netherlands suggest Ryo was on the cusp of winning a contract with the Dutch giants.

With thanks to @WhiskyCarlsson.

Arsenal have agreed a deal with VfB Stuttgart to sign Serge Gnabry. The midfielder will complete the transfer in July next year after his 16th birthday.

Gnabry has now returned to Germany after a 10 day trial with the Gunners in which he featured in two behind closed doors friendlies, scoring in the second against Birmingham City. Young Guns revealed two days ago the two clubs were in negotiations for Serge’s signature, and we can now confirm an agreement has been reached. Arsenal are expected to hand over around £100,000 in compensation for the highly rated play-maker.

Serge, who is eligible to represent either Germany or Ivory Coast at international level, is a pacy, strong attack minded midfielder who can play on the right or behind the striker. He was a key part of the Stuttgart Under 16 side which won the Nike Cup earlier this year, picking up the Player of the Tournament award on the back of a 30 goal season.

Gnabry is expected to train with Arsenal during the Bundesliga winter break in January, giving him a chance to acclimatize to life in North London before his summer move.

Arsenal are in talks with Benfica over the sale of French defender Armand Traoré, according to reports in France and Portugal.

Portuguese outfit Benfica are thought to have been given permission to talk to the player, although a deal has not been agreed with Arsenal. The Gunners are keen to do business for a figure of around £2 million plus a large sell on fee. The Frenchman is surplus to requirements in North London and the club have turned down loan offers from French Ligue 2 teams earlier in the summer.

Armand has already been informed he would play in his preferred position of left wing if a deal could be done. The 20-year-old joined Arsenal from Monaco in 2005 and has 12 first-team appearances to his name.

More to follow.

Arsenal are trying to thrash out a deal with VfB Stuttgart for midfielder Serge Gnabry. The 15-year-old has completed a 10 day trial with the Gunners and Liam Brady is now hoping a deal can be done for the much sought after prospect.

Gnabry initially joined Arsenal on trial for a week but it was extended by an extra three days after he impressed. Brady wanted to take a closer look in match action, so the youngster started two of the three pre-season friendlies the Under 18’s hosted last week. Serge turned in a solid shift against a Plymouth Argyle XI before bagging a goal and collection of assists against Birmingham City.

The club are keen to put a deal in place so Serge, who scored 30 goals from midfield last season, would join the Gunners on his 16th birthday. A nominal fee is expected to change hands.

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.

In Ligue One

Francis Coquelin made his Lorient debut as a second half substitute in a 2-1 home defeat to Nice. Coquelin began on the bench but replaced goalscorer Yann Youffre with the scores at 1-1. Francis’ first input was to make a silly foul on the edge of the box, and Nice took advantage from the set-piece to win the game. Loic Remy converted.

In The N Power Championship…

Sanchez Watt started and completed another 90 minutes for Leeds United as the Whites drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest. Watt had the chance to win the game in the second half, but he just flicked over with the fixture tied at a goal a piece. However, the Arsenal winger was involved in ugly scenes at the end of the game. Sanchez pushed into former Tottenham right back Chris Gunter, and Gunter was seen to stamp on Watt’s foot right in front of defender Paul Connolly. A brawl ensued. It finished 1-1.

In The N Power League One

Luke Freeman only last 43 minutes for Yeovil Town before being taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg. Scans have since revealed Freeman only suffered ‘severe shin brusing’ yet he’s expected to miss between two and four weeks.