Author: Staff Writer

Wellington Silva is an Arsenal player. The protracted transfer of the Fluminense forward finally came to an end last week but still little is known of the Brazil Under 17 international.

His four goals against Norwich City’s Under 16’s in a trial game alerted mass attention to the prospect who scored 51 goals in 19 games for Flu’s youth team. In our video special, we hope to shed some more light on the prospect nicknamed ‘Ciel’. The first video features Silva’s winner against Chivas in the Nike Cup at Old Trafford, while the second is a recent video of his winner in the Under 18 League Cup final. The third shows Wellington’s close control and dribble as he sets up a shot for Brazil in the Under 17 World Cup.

1. Goal At Old Trafford
2. Goal V Botafogo
3. Dribble V Mexico

Video One – Video Two – Video Three

Article By – J.Sanderson

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 this F.A Cup special.

Henri Lansbury played 90 minutes for Watford as they were hammered 5-0 at Stamford Bridge. The damage was done in the first half with three unanswered goals coupled with a further two in the second half seeing the Hornet’s outclassed. However, Henri, who signed a new contract and extended his loan last week, will no doubt learn from the top flight experience. Loanee Rating – 6

Jay Simpson played the full 90 minutes and scored as Sheffield United took Queens Park Rangers to a replay. Simpson opened the scoring with a delightful finish after good pressure from the R’s, but Richard Cresswell levelled on the stroke of half time meaning both sides must now do battle in London for a place in round four. Loanee Rating – 8

Gavin Hoyte played the full 90 minutes at right back for Brighton as they dispatched of Torquay. Hoyte turned in a great shift in a competitive encounter which was decided by a Andrew Crofts goal. Loanee Rating – 6

Pedro Botelho was restored to the Celta Vigo team and played 90 minutes as the Spanish Segunda kicked off once more. A 1-1 draw with Murcia proved not to be the result Celta were hoping for, but Botelho turned in a decent shift at left back. Loanee Rating – 6

Wojciech Szczesny, Rhys Murphy and Havard Nordtveit were not in action this weekend.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsène Wenger is set to rotate his squad for tomorrow’s F.A Cup third round encounter with West Ham United, with a selection of his out-of-favour first-team set to be mixed with a scattering of young Carling Cup talent.

Wenger previously admitted his desire to play his strongest possible XI in a bid to claim the hallowed trophy, but a re-emergence in the Premier League title race has changed the Frenchman’s thinking. Arsenal’s F.A Cup campaign, especially in the early rounds, will now play host to the cream of the crop of Carling Cup talents along with a selection of more experienced players.

Competition will be fierce. Craig Eastmond and Francis Coquelin are both battling hard to be the ‘internal solution’ to Alexandre Song’s absence, while a plethora of attacking talent, which includes Jack Wilshere, Fran Mérida, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Sanchez Watt and the returning Nacer Barazite, will all be vying for potential starting and substitute places.

But who do you think deserves a chance to prove themselves and who could really buckle down a place in the side in the coming months? leave your answers in the comment section below.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Following confirmation of the signing of Fluminense forward Wellington Silva, Arsenal are hot the heels of their second Brazilian, with Silva’s international team-mate Zézinho also being lined up for a move to North London.

His club side Juventude have rejected a number of bids from Arsenal but they finally succumbed to increase pressure and accepted an offer in December. However, a change of board has seen President Sergio Florian wait until January to decide whether to sanction the transfer. A group of European investors have also had an offer accepted meaning it will be a two-way fight.

The exciting left-footed winger is already a regular for the Serie ‘B’ outfit but his days are numbered. It’s almost certain that his current employers will not fully own their prize asset by the end of the January window. Zézinho only signed a new deal recently but his club manager expects him to leave, with an improved bid set to come to secure the transfer for Arsenal shortly.

“The last contact from Arsenal was about 20 days ago. I think they are waiting until January, when the transfer window opens and the Head of Arsenal Youth will make an improved bid. For now, there is nothing new.”

A skilful, diminutive but strong attacking winger, Zézinho spent two weeks on trial a year ago, and since then he’s gone on to be a key part of the Brazil youth lineup and for Juventude’s first team. A transfer should be concluded shortly.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Welcome to 2010. A brand new day brings a brand new year, and in turn, a brand new decade.

It’s another chance for many to enjoy the finer things in life as the holiday period begins to come to a close, and as Young Guns enters its second year of existence, we’d like to wish all our readers a very peaceful, blessed and prosperous New Year.

Regular updates will resume shortly after a stop-start Christmas and New Year set of updates, and we look forward to your continued debate, analysis and general comments on all things Arsenal Reserves and Youth.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal have finally wrapped up the protracted signing of Brazil Under 17 international striker Wellington Silva. The prospect will complete the move from Fluminense when he turns 18, in January 2011.

The Gunners have taken advantage of a financial problem with Flu and after thrashing out a deal last month, everything has been signed and sealed. Arsenal have paid for 65% ownership of Wellington, and will pay the other 35% when he is eligible to move to England. Fluminense have been struggling to pay players and staff so an immediate payment has been made to ease their cash-flow problems.

Agent Rodrigo Pitta conducted business on behalf of the Brazilian Serie ‘A’ club, and confirmed to local newspapers yesterday that everything has gone through.

“We completed the transfers last week, he is already an Arsenal player and Fluminense has already received some money.”

The chase is finally over for one of the most exciting attackers outside of Europe. The starlet, nicknamed Ciel, impressed during a 7 day trial last Christmas – he even played 45 minutes for the Under 16’s against Norwich – and he made an emphatic impression, scoring 4 goals. In a bid to warn off potential suitors who included Chelsea, Man Utd, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Barcelona, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira promoted Wellington into his first-team squad trusted Brazil-based scout Sandro Orlandelli managed to orchestrate a deal worth £3.4 million to secure his services.

Silva can play either up front or on the wing and he posed for pictures sporting a replica shirt with his name on it for social networking site Facebook shortly after confirmation was recieved.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsène Wenger handed a Premier League debut to Craig Eastmond this evening as Arsenal maintained their title push with a 4-1 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Eastmond replaced goalscorer Samir Nasri with 4 minutes of normal time left.

With Alexandre Song, scorer of the 4th goal, set to jet off to the African Cup of Nations later this month, Wenger is looking for internal solutions as a replacement. Song may have failed to track Nadir Belhadj’s run for Pompey’s consolation, but he put in a typical bullish performance and will no doubt leave a major dent in Wenger’s midfield engine room.

Craig found himself with two good chances to shoot as the 18-year-old played a little more advanced, but he overall looked comfortable among older and more experienced players. The Hale End product has already featured in the Carling Cup ties against Liverpool and Manchester City, showing the managers faith in him. With midfield options becoming limited, it appears that Wenger may to turn to one of the young Gunners to help fill the gaps until Song returns.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Håvard Nordtveit is now half way through his loan spell with German outfit FC Nürnberg, and despite the precarious position of his latest loan outfit, the centre back is gaining experience by the minute.

Speaking to Nürnberg’s Official TV channel just before the winter break, Nordtveit spoke about the differences between Premier League football and life in the Bundesliga, along with a whole manner of other issues connected to his adaption to life in Germany. He gave the interview in English and you can watch it below.

Click Here To Watch The Video

Article By – J.Sanderson

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 the Championship, Jay Simpson racked up another 90 minutes for QPR, but he couldn’t find the net as the R’s were crushed by Roy Keane’s Ipswich Town. Simpson struggled to get into the game as Jon Walters set the hosts on their way before a brace from Jonathan Stead sealed the win.

Elsewhere – Henri Lansbury’s loan spell came to an end with Watford with the Hornet’s in talks with the Gunners to get the deal extended. The out-of-contract midfielder is yet to agree fresh terms with Arsenal so would be eligible to speak to other clubs next week. On the pitch, he forced an out standing save from Dean Gerken as Watford drew 2-2 with Bristol City.

In League One, Gavin Hoyte played 90 minutes at right back for Brighton as they eased their relegation fears with a 5-2 win over Wycombe. Rhys Murphy started but was subbed off at half time for Brentford as they drew 1-1 with promotion chasing Charlton. Wojciech Szczesny missed out through injury.

Pedro Botelho and Havard Nordtveit are both enjoying the winter break, so were not in action.

Article By – J.Sanderson