Author: Staff Writer

Arsenal’s Under 16’s thrashed their Charlton Athletic counterparts on Saturday morning as Steve Gatting prepared for the new campaign by fielding an XI made up of regulars and trialists.

Gatting only has a week to make a decision on his side so will have to move quickly if he wants the prospects signed in time to make their debuts against Sheffield United. Charlton were expected to provide a huge challenge but the Gunners brushed aside the League One based outfit with ease.

Strikers Zak Ansah and Nigel Neita set Arsenal on their way before defender James Campbell thumped home number three. American Luis Gil then added number four before two other trialists completed a 5-0 demolition. Charlton held their own in the second half and goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cooke did well to keep a clean sheet after being peppered with shots.

Young Guns will keep you updated with any announcements on new signings.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal are set to wrap up a deal for 15-year-old American starlet Luis Gil as the Gunners follow the latest European trend in snapping up the hottest American talent.

Benfica and Everton have made high profile signings from the USA with the likes of Freddy Adu and Anton Peterlin heading to Europe after honing their talents with various US Soccer Schools. Now exciting midfielder Gil looks set to become the latest name making waves across the Atlantic.

Luis is the second youngest player in the US Under 17 residency program and was one of the US Under 17 team’s top players in the recent CONCACAF Championships. A goal and two assists from the play-maker against Cuba set the tone for the California based Pateadores Soccer Club graduate. The American side failed to win the tournament but Gil especially was singled out for applause.

The Gunners have been on his trail for a number of months and stepped up their interest in May by inviting Luis to train full time at London Colney. Liam Brady is still assessing the youngster but it’s expected that he could seal a permanent place in the Arsenal Academy within weeks.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal have today confirmed the squad numbers for the forthcoming 2009-2010 campaign. They have also moved Fran Merida and Wojciech Szczęsny into the first-team, meaning the former will NOT be leaving on loan.

All players listed in white are first-team members. Those in Yellow are Reserves who have been promoted to the first-team while the players in Red have been registered for the Champions League.

Read more →

This is the first in a series of articles this week previewing the upcoming season for Arsenal’s Reserves and Academy. In this article I look ahead to the upcoming Carling Cup campaign, always a great chance for Arsenal to blood their youth players into first team football.

Firstly, it must be mentioned that there are limiting factors as to how many of our youth players can play a significant part in this year’s tournament. When fit, we actually have a large first team squad. Players who were considered “young guns” last year are now in the First Team squad, but will still not be playing regularly enough to warrant a rest for the Carling Cup. The likes of Wilshere, Ramsey, Vela, Gibbs, Fabianski and Traore will play a large role in this year’s tournament.

However, even with this senior spine, the squad will definitely be padded out with the core of last year’s U18 side, and any reserve players who aren’t on loan. The issue of further loans will certainly affect the make-up of the team, with Hoyte, Randall, Lansbury, Simpson and Barazite all likely to start in the Cup if they’re still at the club by the end of August. It’s more likely though, that at least 2 or 3 of these players will spend the season away from the club, leaving younger players to fill their space.

So, who will get their chance? Although obviously dependent on their form in the early stages of the season, we can look at performances last year and during pre-season and judge who may play a part. Sanchez Watt, for example, has played a larger than expected part in pre-season and will be looking to start as part of the front three, assumingpresuming Arsenal play the same 4-3-3 formation that the First Team have adopted. Conversely, Jay Emmanuel Thomas will believe that his performances last season may earn him a similar role. Frimpong and Coquelin will also point to their partnership last year as a case for their inclusion. Up top, Rhys Murphy and Giles Sunu will hope for some game time, but competition will be fierce with Wilshere and Vela presuming leading the line. In defence, Bartley and Ayling may play a role following their impressive outings last year.

Depending on the make up of the starting line-up some of the academy’s leading lights may get a role as a substitute, with Luke Freeman, Benik Afobe and Connor Henderson all possibilities.

Whatever the team, you can be sure that Arsenal will challenge for this trophy once again with a dazzling array of talented youngsters. If they are to lift this Cup then it would be a fitting testament to the quality of our academy and the promise of some of these lads.

Article By – Gianni Sonvinco

Young Guns’ series of Arsenal’s free-styling starlets continues with this video of newly signed central defender Martin Angha showing off his silky skills at his school in Switzerland. We’ve previously posted the efforts of Aaron Ramsey and former Gunner Jonas Rasmussen whilst you can view an unpublished number from Nacer Barazite Here.

Martin will link up with his new-team mates in January. You can view a second video of the 6 foot powerhouse scoring a superb goal against Arsenal’s Under 16’s whilst with his former employers FC Zurich Here.

Click Here To Watch Martin’s Freestyle

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal will step up their chase of Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul by sending scouts to tonight’s Under 21 International between Holland and England.

The fixture sees three Arsenal players on show – winger Jack Wilshere and left back Kieran Gibbs for England – while Nacer Barazite will line up alongside Krul for Holland. Young Guns revealed that the Gunners were talking to the Magpies last month regarding the Dutchman’s availability but no offer arrived. Instead, Steve Rowley’s henchman are expected to make final checks on the 21-year-old this evening.

Krul won huge applause when he made his League debut for Newcastle United at the weekend as they kicked off their Championship campaign  away to West Brom. An injury to Steven Harper at half time presented the prospect a chance to impress, and he did. Several stunning saves showed off Tim’s agility and reflexes as many tipped the youngster to break into the first-team on a regular basis.

Portsmouth, Wigan and Hull City are also expected to send a posse of officials to watch Krul this evening.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Although he was signed over the summer, exciting Swiss defender Martin Angha has now returned to FC Zurich until January when he will complete his switch to Arsenal.

Angha’s duties as skipper of Zurich’s Under 16’s continued as he led his side to a 1-0 win over Newcastle’s youth team last week. He will leave his home land with a massive reputation as one of the best young defenders in the country. You can read an in depth profile of him Here.

To get you in the mood ahead of Martin’s arrival, below you watch a stunning example of what the young centre-back can do. During a friendly with Arsenal’s Under 15’s in 2008, the 6 foot plus powerhouse curled home a superb free-kick following a foul by Jordan Wynter. The result was a superb match winner from the Swiss Under 16 International.

Click Here To Watch The Goal

Article By – J.Sanderson

World Cup winning former France International Christian Karembeu has left his role at Portsmouth to join Arsenal’s ever expanding scouting network.

The 38-year-old who also won the European Championships and Confederations Cup in a 10 year international career played for FC Nantes, Sampdoria, Real Madrid, Olympiakos, Servette and Bastia is controversial career. Sandwiched between that, Christian spent a single season with Middlesbrough where he played 33 times, scoring 4 goals.

Noted for his dreadlocks and combative playing style, Karembeu was awarded with the prestigious Légion d’honneur in 1998 – an award similar to an OBE in England. His career continued to grow after retiring from the game in 2005 despite being accused of beating his super-model wife Adriana Sklenaříková – something both parties denied. He has worked for both FIFA and UEFA and previously took part in draws for the Champions League and World Cup.

However, a move to Portsmouth in a scouting capacity followed where he focused mainly on young players in France. Although being named the FIFA Ambassador for Oceania, he continued his work with Pompey until Arsenal offered him the chance to combine the two roles by scouting such Oceania countries as Australia and New Zealand.

Karembeu will take up his role immediately.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Benik Afobe got himself in scoring form ahead of the new Premier Academy League campaign by notching a classy brace as the Gunners dispatched Tottenham this morning.

Afobe, who bagged 12 Under 18 goals last term, picked up an ankle knock over the summer and was a worry ahead of the new season which begins on the 22nd of August. However, he returned during the Toomey Tournament and got some much needed fitness from the two-day competition, although he failed to find the net.

Yet Benik’s deadly form is back, and Tottenham, who will not field a Reserves team this year, were on the end of the very best of the imposing front-man. He partnered Luke Freeman in attack as Steve Bould gave everybody a glimpse of the XI he hopes will retain both the F.A Youth Cup and Premier Academy League trophies.

McDermott
Obed – Boateng – Miquel – Evina
Byles – Aneke – Ozyakup – Deacon
Afobe – Freeman

Two players who should have a say in who Bould plays are Conor Henderson and Emmanuel Frimpong. The pair are currently nursing injuries and are a big doubt ahead of the Sheffield United encounter in two weeks time. But the Gunners showed no signs that they missed the duo with a rampant display.

Afobe put the finishing touches to two superb moves to make the game safe. It means Arsenal will go into the new season in fine form, made even sweeter by such a win over the North London rivals.

Article By – J.Sanderson