Author: Staff Writer

Arsenal will complete the signing of Bolivan winger Samuel Galindo next week, Young Guns can confirm. The player is in London and the club are in the process of applying for a ‘special talent’ work permit. If granted, it would allow Galindo to go straight into the squad, instead of facing a lengthy loan spell.

Samuel, the current captain of Boliva’s Under 21 national team despite being only 17, will be a surprise signing after it appeared he would seal a switch to Everton earlier this week. Following a week-long trial, David Moyes sat down with the prospect to discuss terms, but an agreement couldn’t be reached. Instead Arsène Wenger asked for a quick look at the left winger and was instantly impressed. A quick deal has been done with Real America which will see a figure of around £500,000 change hands, although that will rise once he makes 50 appearances for the club.

The skilful and energetic attacking talent has been preffered to Juventude’s Brazilian starlet Zezinho, who Arsenal have been in constant contact with. Samuel has been training with Wenger’s first-team charges over the last two days and it appears that he will bypass the youth setup and go straight into contention for a starting place in the closing months of the season. This would be of course if the permit is granted, and he passes a medical. The club famously exploited the ‘special talent’ option to bring Alexandre Song to North London in 2005.

Article By – J.Sanderson

The hype around Arsenal’s promising young forward Wellington Silva continued over the weekend as he turned in an oustanding performance to turn the game for parent club Fluminense. Needing a win over São Bernardo to continue in the tournament, Flu went 2-0 down before the Silva show earned them a win.

The 17-year-old first showed his goal scoring instincts by curling home following a knock down, before showing his superb close control to beat three players and then pull off a Ronaldinho style ‘no look pass’ for the equalizer. Wellington then tricked his way into the box and was pulled down for a penalty – which was scored. A 3-2 win was unlikely but fantastic. You can see the highlights below and more videos of Silva Here.

Click Here To Watch The Video

Article By – J.Sanderson

Neil Banfield’s Arsenal Reserve team ended their run of three successive defeats by beating West Ham United 2-1 at Upton Park this evening. A brace from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas gave the Gunners the lead before two penalties drew the scores level. Emmanuel Frimpong secured the win on a night which saw Sol Campbell play 45 minutes as a trialist. The 35-year-old is set to seal a 3 month pay-as-you-play contract within days.`

Mannone
Gilbert – Bartley – Campbell – Cruise
Coquelin – Eastmond – Emmanuel-Thomas
Randall – Sunu – Merida

Subs: Shea, Hajrovic, Evina, Frimpong, Freeman.

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Arsenal’s Reserves return to action this evening following the winter break with a feisty London derby with West Ham set to raise temperatures on a freezing night in the East of the capital.

Three defeats in the final month of the first half of the campaign leave Neil Banfield boys a little off the title pace, but a win over the struggling Hammers would certainly aid the title push. However, the avaliablity of several players is in doubt after an increasing number of Banfield’s first-choice have featured in the first-team over the last few weeks. Run outs for many of the promising Under 18’s seems inevitable.

Sanchez Watt and Gilles Sunu should lead the line but with the former being touted to several Championship clubs regarding a loan move, Benik Afobe or Luke Freeman could step in and provide different but effective options. Francis Coquelin and Craig Eastmond are set to continue their solid shield in front of a back four led by captain Kyle Bartley.

Shea
Hajrovic – Bartley (c) – Miquel – Cruise
Coquelin – Eastmond – Randall – Emmanuel-Thomas
Sunu – Watt

Arsenal TV Online have halted their live coverage of Reserves games, instead now promising immediate highlights. However, should you not be able to get to the game at Upton Park, a full Match Report will be available at Full Time.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Rhys Murphy‘s playing career is in doubt after the injury-prone forward sustained a serious ankle injury in training with loan club Brentford. The early prognosis is that he will be out for 3 to 6 months, meaning his season is over.

The England Under 19 international is regarded as a fantastic prospect for both club and country but throughout his short career he’s been dogged by constant injuries. These have included various ankle complaints and a hernia issue which needed an operation. Part of Arsenal’s Under 18 double winning side last year, Rhys missed large chunks of the campaign but did get key goals, including the winner in the Premier Academy League final.

His loan move to Brentford in November was seen as a perfect chance for Murphy to show his best form, but he’s struggled to make an impact in Andy Scott’s League One outfit. A heavy tackle in training this week left the striker with a trip to hospital and both player and club will monitor the situation and decide how long full rehabilitation will take, and whether he can make a full recovery or not.

It’s expected that Rhys will now return to Arsenal for treatment.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal are studying a plethora of loan offers for versatile midfielder Jay Emmanuel-Thomas after he agreed an improved contract with the club. Jay spent three-months with Championship side Blackpool earlier this season, scoring twice in eleven League games.

Ian Holloway confirmed this afternoon that Blackpool are in talks regarding a return to Bloomfield Road, but the Gunners are keen to send the skilful utility man to a Premier League club, although game time is the priority. Arsene Wenger has included Emmanuel-Thomas in a handful of his squads already this term but as first-team bodies start to return from injury, his chances are certain to become less and less meaning a second loan would be beneficial.

Wigan Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers have previously sent scouts to check on Jay but whether they would take the prospect in the closing stages of an important campaign, it’s unclear at the moment. However, a selection of Championship sides have been in touch and the Forest-Green born youngster is set to lead a collection of starlets who will leave on loan before the month is out.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal have made tentative enquires with Romanian outfit CFR Cluj regarding their teenage striker Lacina Traoré. The Ivorian powerhouse has been priced at £3.5 million by chairman Iuliu Muresan.

The 19-year-old 6 foot 8 inch (208cm) striker is yet to impose himself on the Cluj first-team on a regular basis but his explosive talent is starting to become known around Europe. Muresan confirmed to the Romanian publication “Prosport” that the club are waiting for the Gunners to firm up their interest with an offer.

“We’ve had contact with Arsenal, but we have not yet received any concrete offer.”

Lacuna came through the Jean-Marc Guillou Académie de Sol Beni in the Cote d’Ivoire, before moving to Stade d’Abidjan after graduating. Four goals and a collection of assists in just ten matches convinced Cluj to pay a nominal fee and bring the leggy striker to Europe. Now in his third season, Traoré has stuck five goals in eighteen games.

A tall, rangy forward who can play as a central target man or across the forward line in a 4-3-3, Traoré is possibly a little light weight to play in the Premier League straight away so a deal which would involve the Ivorian staying on loan with his current employers until the summer would be a little more favourable for both parties. You can watch a video of Lacina in action below.

Goal One – Goal Two

Article By – J.Sanderson

The Super Bowl XLIV may be a few weeks away, but that hasn’t stopped people from going nuts when it comes to precognitive Super Bowl betting action. One team that is getting some major love is the +800 Minnesota Vikings who have a first week bye, and perhaps one of the most balanced teams in the league. Ranking second in the league with 29.4 points per game, and 19th overall with 19.5 points allowed on average makes them heavy favorites. Of course, those of you that have undying faith will rally behind Brett Favre who has been a Super Bowl betting favorite in the playoffs many times.

A UEFA tribunal is set to decide how much La Liga outfit Atlético Madrid will pay Arsenal if they complete a deal to sign Fran Mérida. The 19-year-old has rejected the offer of a new two-year development based contract with the Gunners in favour of a reported five-year deal at the Estadio Vicente Calderón.

Arsene Wenger has constantly spoken of his desire to keep the Spanish Under 21 international but warned that others were trying to destabilise the prospect and convince him his future lies away from the Emirates. Agent Joseba Diaz appears to be the man who Wenger was talking about, as he’s been in touch with several clubs and issued comments in the media that Fran was unhappy and keen for a return to his homeland.

Sevilla and former loan club Real Sociedad have both made advances but Mérida has met with senior Atlético officials and thrashed out a deal, which would see him remain with Arsenal until the summer when his contract expires. As the player is under 24, Madrid would be forced to pay compensation and the early signs are that the Gunners will struggle to agree a deal, meaning a tribunal would decide how much will change hands. A figure of around £3 milllion has been touted.

Many will no doubt be disappointed that Mérida has quit the club especially after he has become an increasing fixture in the Arsenal side, including featuring in the F.A Cup on Sunday. Confirmation is expected shortly.

Article By – J.Sanderson