Author: Staff Writer

Arsenal have accepted two bids worth £1.2 million from Hull City and Leeds United for Jay Simpson. The 21-year-old will now hold talks with both clubs, although further offers are expected to arrive.

Simpson has received huge interest since being allowed to find alternative employment after a meeting with Arsene Wenger. Bristol City had tried to take the striker on loan but the Gunners are keen for a cash sale, as Jay is in the final year of his contract. Hull City and Leeds United have both had bids in the religion of £1.2 million accepted, although the payment plan is flexible, meaning not all the money would be paid up front.

Jay and agent Uben Gray will now hold talks with the two Yorkshire club’s over the weekend but other interested parties are yet to declare their hands. Queens Park Rangers, who had the Londoner on loan last season, have back-tracked and are now interested. They would be the preferred destination, but no bid is on the table at present.

Simpson has been pulled out of all match action for Arsenal and is only training lightly.

Arsène Wenger has given Chuks Aneke the opportunity to win a place in his plans for the new season after inviting him to train with the first-team this week. Aneke also took part in the members day training this afternoon.

The powerful central midfielder, who signed professional terms last month, was the star of Arsenal’s Premier Academy League winning outfit last season, scoring eight goals. Aneke has long been identified by Wenger as one of the most promising youngsters in the Academy system and he’s been watching over the Newham-born prospect for a number of seasons.

Chuks was called up to be with the first-team earlier in the week after Conor Henderson failed to recover from injury. The verdict is still out on the Frenchman’s opinion on Ireland Under 19 international Henderson, but free-scoring Aneke will be given the chance to impress. He took part in the members day activities today, playing alongside Denilson in spraying balls wide during crossing drills. The 17-year-old also joined in with ‘the Green team’ during free practice.

The England Under 17 regular was certainly impressive, and with his powerful and physical style combined with superb vision, a Carling Cup run out later in the season is very much in the question.

Arsenal trialist Ryo Miyaichi is set to fly out to Holland later this week ahead of a training spell with Dutch giants Ajax. The Japanese winger played 60 minutes for Neil Banfield’s second string in a 3-0 win over Boreham Wood last night.

Miyaichi is currently signed to the Chukyo University in Nagoya but he has had trials in Europe with German outfit FC Köln. Ryo shot to prominence playing in Japan’s Under 17’s at the recent FIFA U 17 World Cup, which was eventually won by Sead Hajrovic’s Switzerland. He featured three times but a poor Japan side were defeated on every occasion.

Ryo’s representatives have been working hard to get the player a contract in Europe and last nights 60 minute run out for Arsenal is notable. However, a training spell with Ajax’s Under 19’s in Holland has already been agreed on, meaning the Gunners must act quickly. Miyaichi is a 5’11, genuinely two-footed winger, who can also play off a striker. His superb dribbling skills and ability to beat players with ease saw him catch the eye at Meadow Park.

Arsène Wenger has long tried to get a foot hold in the Asian market, with Junichi Inamoto helping firmly establish the Gunners in Japan. In 2006 Sho Ito, also from Chukyo University, was on the verge of signing after a trial, only for a work permit application to fall through at the last minute.

Wenger’s trusted staff members Boro Primorac and Steve Rowley were in the stands last night to run the rule over the youngster, but there is no indication as yet whether Miyaichi will be Arsenal’s newest Asian import.

A Neil Banfield coached Arsenal XI dispatched of non-League Boreham Wood this evening, winning 3-0. Goals two minutes either side of the whistle in the first half gave the Gunners the win, with a late own goal wrapping up victory. Mark Randall and Benik Afobe got the Arsenal goals.

Arsene Wenger, Ivan Gazidis, Steve Rowley and Pat Rice were all present as trialist Rio Miyaichi started in a strong lineup. Banfield also included Wojciech Szczesny and Havard Nordtveit from the first-team, plus he was boosted with Kyle Bartley and Thomas Cruise returning. Brazilian forward Wellington Silva was on the bench.

Szczesny
Nordtveit – Bartley – Miquel – Cruise
Aneke – Randall – Ozyakup
Murphy – Afobe – Miyaichi

The fixture was just 2 minutes old when Arsenal snapped out of the blocks and got themselves a stunning opener. Mark Randall collected the ball and from just inside the Boreham Wood half, he then lobbed goalkeeper Gareth Williams in spectacular fashion. It was an amazing start. 1-0.

Japanese trialist Miyaichi had began with a point to prove and he showed exactly he deserves a contract right from the off. The winger tortured Luke Garrard and won a corner. Aneke should have scored but he dragged it over. The Gunners exploited the monopoly Rio had over Garrard and the trialist should have doubled the scores half way through the period. He ran 35 yards with the ball, rode a selection of challenges and smashed the cross bar.

Miquel was next to try, and he should have had a goal to match his solid performance, but he headed over from another corner won by the very impressive Miyaichi. However, just before the break, they got their second. Aneke placed Afobe through with the goalkeeper and he made no mistake from close range. 2-0 at half time.

Wellington Silva came off the bench at half time to a warm applause. Within moments he was running at his full back, full of tricks and energy. His first moment of magic came as he found Aneke, who in turn picked out Afobe. The striker burst clear but had his shot saved. Aneke’s re-bound was also blocked.

Silva was then on hand poised to turn in a cross from the left, but Miyaichi’s final ball was poor. The Japanese prospect came off on the hour mark having shown his excellent quick feet and dribbling, yet his slight size may be a set back. After Rio went off, it was the Wellington show. The Brazilian was getting information from a translator on the bench and now operating on the left, he whipped in two out-side of the foot crosses which almost found Afobe in space.

The 17-year-old should have had a debut goal on two occasions. First he did two step overs, cut inside and shot, then he smashed a 20-yarder which was tipped over. There was just time for a third as Evina’s cross was shanked in for an own goal. 3-0 and a thoroughly impressive run out.

Arsenal V Boreham Wood – Live Text Updates – Click Here

Arsene Wenger will be at Boreham Wood this evening to watch Wellington Silva officially make his Arsenal debut, alongside Japanese Under 17 trialist Ryo Miyaichi.

FC Köln youngster Miyaichi has joined the Gunners on trial having had a spell training with Ajax earlier in the summer. However, the notable news is that Wellington Silva will feature, after being given special dispensation by the Home Office to play. The full squad can be found on Boreham Wood’s website.

UPDATE – Video of trialist Miyaichi – Here.

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Arsenal have given permission to Leeds United and Bristol City to speak to the agents of Sanchez Watt and Jay Simpson. The pair are both being talked about over season long loans.

Watt is wanted back at Elland Road after he completed a spell there in the closing stages of last season, making six appearances as Leeds won promotion to the Championship. Bristol City have held brief negotiations over a switch for Simpson, but they see Jay as a back up, and hence only want him in on loan. Arsène Wenger has already confirmed his intention to allow the striker to leave, but a permanent deal is preferred as he’s in the final year of his contract.

City boss Steve Coppell has another young Gunner, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, as a second choice. However, no talks have been held over him as Wenger is yet to decide whether he’s earned a place in the first-team squad. One of Emmanuel-Thomas or Gilles Sunu will leave on loan, while the other should featured strongly in the Carling Cup.

Several Championship clubs are poised to inquire about Arsenal’s Reserves, who are in action this evening against Boreham Wood.

Håvard Nordtveit has never been closer to Arsenal’s first-team than he is now, and as the Emirates Cup kicks off this weekend, the Norwegian is looking to press home his cause and finally becoming an esteemed member of Arsène Wenger’s side.

Nordtveit’s showing against Barnet and then his superb performances in Austria have put the 19-year-old on the cusp of an illusive first-team place. Yet his pre-season rise is made even more remarkable by the fact he wasn’t scheduled to go out to Austria. Wenger had failed to bring in the cover he needed in defence so back-tracked on his initial decision to leave Håvard behind.

“I was first told I would not be joining the training camp, but after the match against Barnet, I got a phone call that I was taken out anyway. It was crazy.”

“They said they were impressed that I showed mental strength and played so well in the Barnet match. Wenger said I played very well.”

The centre back revealed he doesn’t know if he’ll play at the Emirates Cup yet, but he is making the most of every minute spent with the first-team.

“The only thing missing was Fabregas, Van Persie and Bendtner. So has been very constructive for me to see how Thomas Vermaelen and the other defenders are working, and I feel I have been working crazy during training camp.”

Arsenal are currently negotiating with Nordtveit’s agent Jim Solbakken over a new contract. The terms are yet to be disclosed but first-team action is the key thing if Howie is going to continue his development. So did Wenger give any indication of his plans this season?

“No, but when we were in Austria, Neil Banfield said that I did very well, and that I just had to continue. So that’s what I’m planning to do.”

Gilles Sunu was on target for France as they beat Spain 2-1 in the final of the UEFA European Under 19 Championship. Sunu cancelled out Rodrigo’s first half opener before Alexandre Lacazette bagged the winner with five minutes left.

Sunu and Francis Coquelin both started against the holders and the much fancied Spanish. It took just 19 minutes for the opener to arrive as Daniel Pacheco fed Rodrigo and his snapped shot beat Abdoulaye Diallo low into the corner.

France equalised after the restart as Yannis Tafer exchanged passes with Sunu following a slip by Martín Montoya, and the Arsenal front-man lobbed Spain goalkeeper Álex to put Les Bleus level. As the fixture ticked on, Alexandre Lacazette came from the bench and with 5 minutes left, he headed home Gael Kakuta’s cross at the far post to win France the trophy.