Author: Staff Writer

Arsenal have stepped up their enquires into Tromsø’s 20-year-old Senegalese powerhouse Kara Mbodj.

Scandinavian based official Bobby Bennett was in the stands to watch the versatile defender on Sunday, and now Chief scout Steve Rowley will make further checks as he completes a week long stay in Norway. The Gunners have significantly stepped up their coverage of the Norwegian leagues, with several Premier League club’s making Nordic purchases in recent seasons.

Mbodj has had an impressive start to his career with Tromsø, mostly featuring in central midfield after a transfer from the Diambars Academy in Senegal last February. The Foundation was setup by former Gunner Patrick Vieira, and Arsenal have kept an eye on the progress of the youngsters within that side. Kara is one of the first notable players to achieve success and many believe he has a solid future in Europe.

Although he’s featured in central midfield during his time in Norway, Mbodj is actually a centre back who can play the holding midfield role if needed. At 6 foot 3 inches tall, he cuts an intimidating figure.

However, plans to continue watching Kara with the view to a possible transfer have hit the buffers, after he sustained an injury and is expected to miss the next few weeks. Rowley’s checks will now involve gathering information from his trusted sources in Norway about the player, not viewing a match personally, as initially planned.

A deal may not be on for this transfer window, but Arsenal will no doubt maintain a keen eye on the players development.

Norweigan super agent Jim Solbakken has flown into North London this morning, ahead of talks with Arsenal over a new contract for defender Håvard Nordtveit. The 19-year-old has 12 months left on his current deal.

Nordtveit has started both of Arsenal’s pre-season games so far this summer and has shown vast improvements in both. He completed the 90 minutes in a 3-0 win over Sturm Graz in Austria last night, and was arguably the best player on the pitch. Several immaculate tackles and some good work going forward has put Howie in contention for a first-team place for the coming season.

Gazidis is now poised to offer Håvard a new three-year-contract on increased wages. He joined the Gunners from Haugesund in 2007 and has since spent the last 14 months away from the club with loan spells at UD Salamanca, Lillestrøm and Nuremberg.

Negotiations are expected to be completed before the start of the new season.

Liam Brady believes a selection of senior professionals in the Reserves ranks still have to prove themselves if they are to have a career with Arsenal. The Irishman took charge of the 2-2 draw with Crawley Town last night, and admitted after most are fighting for their futures.

The most important step for youngsters is to continue their development, and Arsène Wenger has taken those he believes to be ready to compete for first-team places to Austria. For those left behind, the future looks bleak. Brady admits plenty of his squad still have some impressing to do, while some are firmly in the shop window and looking to attract new employment. Speaking to Arsenal.com, the Head of Youth Development was frank;

“Most of these boys will probably go on loan again this year (especially) the older ones. They have to prove themselves and they have to prove themselves to our manager and they have to ensure that if it isn’t going to happen here at Arsenal it is going to happen somewhere else for them, and I am confident that they will all do that.”

The likes of Rhys Murphy, Sanchez Watt and Oğuzhan Özyakup all still have futures at the club, and a loan spell is seen as the final piece of the jigsaw before they’re ready to compete for a first-team place. However, for Gavin Hoyte, Mark Randall, Nacer Barazite and Jay Simpson, game time is now the priority, and Wenger has indicated it won’t be with the first-team. All four have experienced a loan spell, and all four are available for a transfer should a suitable offer arrive.

Brady, who is taking charge of the Reserve team as Neil Banfield is coaching with the first-team, will continue with the squad which beat Crawley, with a selection of interested scouts set to run the rule over the current crop.

Arsenal will take D.C United’s 17-year-old midfielder Andy Najar on trial upon the completion of the MLS season.

Najar is currently regarded as one of the most promising prospects in the MLS and has attracted offers from club’s all over South America. Andy was born in Honduras but moved to the United States at the age of 13, where he quickly rose through the youth system at United and was subsequently promoted to the first-team at the start of this season.

Many see Najar’s development as the only plus point in an otherwise dreadful season for DCU, and he currently finds himself in a difficult situation over his international plans. Both the US and Honduras federations are desperate to recruit the player who scored against the LA Galaxy at the weekend.

Andy’s personal coach in Honduras has confirmed Arsenal have been in touch via American scout Danny Karbassiyoon and plans are afoot for the attacking midfielder to trial with the Gunners.

“Andy will have a three-week trial with Arsenal after the completion of the MLS season.”

Brazilian outfit Santa Cruz have already been in touch in a bid to jump the queue for Najar, but it remains clear that no potential deal will be discussed before he has been looked over by Arsène Wenger.

Thanks to “Z and Slev.”

Arsène Wenger described Saturday’s 4-0 win over Barnet as a chance to look at all those in contention for a first-team place. The Frenchman now takes his more established names off to Austria for an intensive training camp, and the Holy Grail for the young Gunners is to make the plane and prove they can make the cut come August.

Leading the queue is the collection of last seasons loanees. Jack Wilshere is the only real certainty of the group, although Håvard Nordtveit should also travel due to the current number of first-team centre backs in the ranks. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Henri Lansbury both looked a little unfit against Barnet and are at risk, while Jay Simpson is a rank outsider.

Simpson bagged a brace against Barnet but failed to really show any quality. The late withdrawal of Eduardo from the squad presented the Enfield-born striker a chance to put himself in the shop window. Wenger has already told Jay he can leave, as long as the price is right. Yet whenever the 21-year-old has been given a start by the boss, he’s scored goals.

Nacer Barazite is another interesting case. He failed to maintain the excellent goal scoring record he holds against Barnet, but did look inventive and fresh alongside Samir Nasri in the middle of the park. Nacer is yet to travel to Austria and if he misses out this time, it’s hard to see where he’ll fit into Arsène’s plans.

Others hoping to travel include Spanish centre back Ignasi Miquel and Reserve goalkeeping duo Wojciech Szczęsny and Vito Mannone. The former has had his potential loan move shelved, and both are hoping to up root Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski and becoming first choice.

The squad is expected to be announced shortly.

Emmanuel Frimpong earned plenty of admirers during Saturday’s 4-0 win over Barnet. The Ghanaian midfielder turned in a dominant and hugely impressive shift in Arsenal’s engine room, before being replaced at half time.

Frimpong saw his development stagnate last season after being dogged by a niggling knee injury. The 18-year-old is now back to his best and ready to challenge Craig Eastmond for the right to be Alexandre Song’s deputy. Manu admits he admires and tries to model his game on his fellow African. Judging by the video below, he’s certainly on the right track.

Click Here To Watch

The UEFA Under 19 European Championships kicked off this afternoon, with Arsenal having three representatives in the prestigious competition. For England, fresh from winning the Under 17 gong, Reserves left back Thomas Cruise, while French duo Gilles Sunu and Francis Coquelin are key to Les Bleus’ challenge. You can read the latest reports below.

Thomas Cruise – England 3-2 Austria

England’s Under 19’s kicked off their Group A campaign with a 3-2 win over Austria. A brace from West Ham striker Frank Nouble was sandwiched in-between a David Alaba goal for Austria. Arsenal’s Thomas Cruise thumped home the third in the 55th minute, before a late reply from Gernot Trauner saw an edgy finish.

The Young Lions took the lead after 13 minutes when Nouble paced the back four and finished well with his left foot. On the half hour mark Matthew Briggs picked out Nouble again, with identical results, giving England a 2-0 lead at half time.

It was far from game over at the break, and just seven minutes into the second period, the impressive David Alaba had curled home a delightful free-kick to give Austria a lifeline. However, three minutes after that, a goal made in North London looked to have put the fixture safe. Tottenham’s John Bostock found club mate Steven Caulker with a whipped corner, Caulker headed down and Arsenal’s Thomas Cruise arrived to slam the ball in from close range.

Gernot Trauner pulled one back late on, but it finished 3-2. Cruise completed the 90 minutes. Click here to watch highlights including Thomas’ goal.

Gilles Sunu & Francis Coquelin – France 4-1 Holland

France Under 19’s also claimed their first win of the tournament, beating a talented Dutch side 4-1. Francis Coquelin started in central midfield while Gilles Sunu joined Yannis Tafer in surprisingly being left on the bench.

Coquelin had a quiet start as France went on the attack early in the game. Chelsea’s Gael Kakuta took advantage of of intense French pressure open the scoring, and then 9 minutes later they had the chance to double their lead from the spot. Coquelin was sent crashing by Imad Najah in the box, a yellow card and a penalty was given. Lyon’s Clément Grenier missed.

Cédric Bakambu did double the advantage before half time, but shortly after the restart, Holland’s Jerson Cabral clipped in a free-kick to half the deficit. However, there would be no Holland come back as Martins Indi put through his own net with minutes left. It finished 4-1.

Arsenal kicked off their pre-season plans with a 3-0 win over Barnet this afternoon. As usual, the squad boasted a selection of the most promising youngsters in the ranks.

Although only a few starlets were named in the initial squad, a whole host including a selection of last seasons loanees took part. Havard Nordtveit, Jack Wilshere, Jay Simpson and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas all started the game, as did Emmanuel Frimpong. A large amount of Reserve regulars featured in the second period.

First Half

Håvard Nordtveit – Had the difficult proposition of starting in unusual right back position. He subsequently was over aggressive in chasing and tackling, but wasn’t afraid to clear the lines with a longer ball. Looked stronger but tired quickly.

Emmanuel Frimpong – Looked strong, powerful and now fully fit. He chased, he hassled and tackled back well. Emmanuel seemed a more like-for-like replacement for Alexandre Song. Good use of the ball and all the energy and flow that was a little missing in the centre of the park.

Jack Wilshere -Began in a more central role and instantly impressed. Full of running, Jack looked taller, stronger and a yard quicker. Two brilliant assists and numerous beautiful touches. However, he is a notorious pre-season star, and hasn’t quite carried that form through the season.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas -Had a bright start on the right hand side but drifted out of the game as the half went on. Was always dangerous when allowed to cut inside on his favoured left, and could have won the scored if it wasn’t for a fine Jake Cole save.

Jay Simpson – Surprise starter but certainly took his chance in the shop window. Two tidy finishes but both goals were layed on a plate. Struggled with his back to goal but was typically always in the right place at the right time. Will no doubt have raised his price tag after a tidy half.

Second Half

Conor Henderson – Very quiet and only had a few touches. Conor seemed a little daunted by his surroundings, but tried to bring the ball forward at times against a very defensive Barnet midfield.

Henri Lansbury – Just like Henderson, didn’t really show a lot. Barnet flooded the midfield for the second period and made life incredibly difficult for Henri. Wanted to get his foot on the ball and dictate. Only excellent reverse ball setup a chance for Barazite late on.

Craig Eastmond – Solid and decent at right back. Nothing much to do.

Ignasi Miquel – Didn’t have a great deal to do, but was involved right from the kick off, cutting out a through ball. Won some headers and overall looked to have enjoyed his debut.

Nacer Barazite – Creative and intelligent, Nacer turned in another solid shift against Barnet. He didn’t walk away with his usual goal, but playing in central midfield he looked a lot more at home. He picked out Walcott with some great over head balls, and generally caused problems with his power.