Author: Staff Writer

Luke Freeman has his eyes on the Arsenal first-team after a dream debut for Yeovil Town. The diminutive forward, compared to Andrey Arshavin by new manager Terry Skiverton, has set his sights on Arsene Wenger’s first-team.

Freeman fired home The Glovers winner on the opening day of the season against Leyton Orient – showing his predatory instincts to pounce after a mistake by O’s keeper Jamie Jones. Skiverton brought Luke in as a striker, but it appears he’ll play the majority of the season wide on the left.

The 18-year-old is on loan with Yeovil until December, but speaking to BBC radio last month, he has no plans to follow Luke Ayling and stay in Somerset;

“I’m getting to an age where I want some first-team experience. I’d like to go back to Arsenal in December or the end of the season and maybe look to play in the first team.”

You can view Freeman’s debut strike via the BBC website below.

Click Here To Watch

England coach Fabio Capello has hinted that Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs should be prepared to leave Arsenal on loan if they want to continue their international future.

Wilshere and Gibbs were both named in the England squad to face Hungary later this week despite not being first choice for Arsene Wenger’s first-team. Capello suggested Wilshere is only in the squad on the back of his performances during a spell with Bolton Wanderers last season, and said it is a worry that the countries most promising players aren’t regulars for their clubs.

“Yes it is a worry because players need to play. It is important to play on a regular basis because it is easier to monitor their development. Wilshere played last year at Bolton and now he’s here, the same with Joe Hart. The players need to play”

Wenger has turned down the advances of several Premier League clubs and will consider Wilshere as part of his first-team plans for the new season. However, Capello has told told Jack, Kieran and other members of the England team they should consider leaving their current employers if they’re not first choice and they wish to continue their international futures.

An article in “The People” yesterday claimed Wilshere has already told Wenger he wants to leave if isn’t a regular.

Henri Lansbury has joined fellow Arsenal youngsters Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs in receiving England call ups, although the former Watford loanee has been named in the Under 21 squad.

Lansbury has been with the Arsenal first-team throughout pre-season after a productive loan spell with Watford in the Championship last season. He has previously featured for Stuart Pearce’s men at this level, but Henri is now expected to take over the holding role duties after former Gunner Fabrice Muamba pulled out due to injury.

England’s Under 21’s play Uzbekistan at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate on Tuesday night ahead of two must-win qualifiers next month; away in Portugal then at home to Lithuania.

The news comes 24 hours after Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs were named in the full England team for the Three Lions friendly with Hungary. Wilshere and Gibbs join Theo Walcott in the squad, which also features academy product Ashley Cole. It means three Arsenal-developed prospects, plus Walcott, form a part of Fabio Capello’s ‘new look’ England.

Young Guns will have live text updates on our Twitter of all Arsenal youngsters in action during the international break.

Arsenal are looking into the possibility of keeping Brazilian forward Wellington Silva in North London, not returning him to parent club Fluminense later this month. Silva is currently training with the Gunners before he’s able to complete his switch in January.

Flu coach Muricy Ramalho had made Silva a part of his first-team plans for the new Série A season, yet he’s used the 17-year-old sparingly. Chairman Roberto Horcades and Ramalho are now looking at experienced heads to improve on the club’s league position, bringing in the likes of Juliano Belletti and Deco from Chelsea. It means match minutes for the youngster will be limited to the youth teams.

Silva has spent part of the summer in North London on what he describes as an “acclimatization period”. Arsenal have got a temporary training visa for the youngster meaning he can play in friendly matches, as he doesn’t need to be registered. The Gunners can’t confirm his signing, thus meaning they can register him as an Arsenal player, until Wellington turns 18, in January.

Ivan Gazidis and his team are now considering the possibility of keeping the fleet-footed winger in North London – where he can train and play in behind closed door games until January, when he will be able to finally complete the switch.

Arsenal currently own 65% of Silva’s ownership, and will buy the other 35% in January.

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 League One…

Luke Freeman played 84 minutes and scored the winner on his Yeovil Town debut this afternoon. Freeman went straight into the starting lineup on the left wing in a 4-4-2. Former Fulham defender Elliot Omozusi had the tricky task of marking Luke who was dangerous straight from the off.

The Arsenal striker cut inside and clipped one shot inches wide, before Dean Bowditch turned and smashed Yeovil in front. The Glovers stepped up their attacking in search for a second and Freeman found himself in a great position to double the advantage, but Adam Chambers fouled him, collecting a yellow card. Alex Revell bagged the equaliser four minutes before the break.

However, it wasn’t 1-1 at the break, as deep into first-half stoppage time, Freeman pounced to turn in Andy Williams’ spilled shot from close range. It was 2-1 at half time, and that’s how it finished.

In The Championship…

Elsewhere, Sanchez Watt played the full 90 minutes for Leeds United as they lost 2-1 to Derby County. Watt began on the left of a 5 man midfield but switched with fellow wideman Lloyd Sam throughout the half. The quick-silver forward was rather quiet in an all action first period which Leeds were lucky to be only 2-1 down in come the break.

Watt had little luck wide on the right in the second period, but moved inside into a number 10 role as Leeds hunted for the equaliser. He setup two shots for Johnson and Grella late on, but both were blocked. Sanchez then should have done better with a free header inside the box, but he headed over from Johnson’s delivery. It finished 2-1 to Derby.

Arsenal’s second string wrapped up their domestic pre-season preparations with a 2-1 defeat against non-league AFC Wimbledon. Second half goals from Sammy Moore and Andre Blackman did the damage, Benik Afobe pulled one back in stoppage time.

Neil Banfied handed a start to Wellington Silva up front while Japanese trialist Ryo Miyaichi continued on the left. Goalkeeper Emilio Damián Martínez was also included for the first-team, but on a strong looking bench. Nacer Barazite was due to play but he was pulled out at the last minute.

Shea
Hoyte – Bartley – Miquel (c) – Cruise
Ozyakup – Randall – Aneke
Silva – Afobe – Miyaichi

Subs: Martinez (GK), Boateng, Evina, Yennaris, Deacon, Murphy.

Arsenal arrived late to the Kingsmeadow stadium in Surrey after delays on the M25. The Gunners requested the kick off was delayed to give themselves time to warm up, and 30 minutes later, the fixture finally began.

The Gunners snapped out of the traps and in Wellington Silva on the right, Arsenal were dangerous. The Brazilian should have opened his account with two similar chances in the opening minutes, both darting in from the right and having low shots well saved.

Wimbledon eventually got their passing game going but in Bartley and Miquel at the back, Arsenal were incredibly well organised. As the half wore on Arsenal struggled to create anything of merritt. Silva’s chipped cross was headed just over by Afobe late in the half, but at the break it was 0-0.

Ryo Miyaichi came off at half time after a very poor 45 minutes. The Japanese youngster showed some great steps overs, but he failed to get involved in the way he did at Boreham Wood earlier in the week. Roarie Deacon replaced him, with Silva moving to the left.

Banfield rotated shortly after the restart, bringing Kyle Bartley and Mark Randall off. Nico Yennaris and Danny Boateng came on, but almost instantly Arsenal were made to regret taking Bartley off. Poor defensive organisation allowed Sammy Moore to muscle his way in and slam Wimbledon into the lead.

Miquel looked shell shocked at the defensive woe, and moments after going behind, AFC got themselves a second through former young Gun Andre Blackman. 2-0 and it was really game over.

Gavin Hoyte had a chance late on but he stabbed Wellington’s corner at the goalkeeper, before Afobe flicked Murphy through on goal but Rhys was muscled off the ball. Emilio Damián Martínez replaced the injured James Shea for his Arsenal debut and he was involved from the off, making a smart save before Murphy stabbed off the line.

There was just time for Arsenal to pull one back, as Nico Yennaris’ shot was parried out as far as Benik Afobe who thrashed home from close range. It finished 2-1.

Banfield’s boys struggled to impose themselves against a physical and well organised Wimbledon. The team will now prepare themselves for a tournament in Ireland later this month.

Neil Banfield has handed starts to Wellington Silva and trialist Ryo Miyaichi against AFC Wimbledon this afternoon. Japanese winger Miyaichi will complete his trial with the Gunners after today’s game and head to Holland for a spell with Ajax.

Banfield also has Emilio Damián Martínez available after he received confirmation on his work permit, allowing the Argentina Under 17 international to start on the bench. Ignasi Miquel captains.

Shea
Hoyte – Bartley – Miquel (c) – Cruise
Ozyakup – Randall – Aneke
Silva – Afobe – Miyaichi

Subs: Martinez (GK), Boateng, Evina, Yennaris, Deacon, Murphy.

A full report will be available shortly after the full time whistle. There is no streams for this fixture, although some text updates will be on our Twitter @YoungGunsBlog.

Wojciech Szczęsny is in contention to be Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper. Arsène Wenger confirmed during his press conference ahead of the Gunners’ friendly against Legia Warsaw tomorrow that he has no plans to add to his ‘keeping fraternity.

Wenger has three first-team places up for grabs while one of his four options will go out on loan. Szczęsny has previously confirmed his desire to leave if he’s not first-choice, but the Frenchman wants 22-year-old Vito Mannone to get match action. Both Vito and Wojciech were excellent during Arsenal’s members day on Thursday, with Szczęsny’s unorthodox effort in the cross bar challenge proving a huge hit.

You can watch the video below.

Click Here To Watch

Arsenal have taken VfB Stuttgart youngster Serge Gnabry on trial. The powerful attacking midfielder has linked up with the Under 16’s for a week-long-training stint.

The Gunners have beaten a whole host of European club’s to take a closer look at Gnabry, who won the Player of the Tournament award at the Nike Cup. Although born in Germany, Serge is the son of Ivorian immigrant Jean-Hermann Gnabry, who works as a coach and trainer for Stuttgart. Jean-Hermann took his son to VfB after he moved from TSV Weissach, where Serge began his early playing career.

The 15-year-old is a tall and powerful attack minded midfielder who can also play wide on the right. Blessed with superb pace and excellent quick feet, Gnabry also has a collection of athletics medals. His 100 metre sprint times are among the best in Europe for his age group, and other notable success has come in various high jump events.

Gnabry shone during the recent Nike Cup after a season for the Under 15’s where he’d bagged 30 goals from midfield. The player himself is open for a move to Europe and lists Barcelona as “the dream future move”. Tall, strong, powerful and with a combative all action style, Serge looks to be a real player for the future.