Author: Staff Writer

Carlos Vela made his much anticipated return to football last night as Mexico progressed to the Final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on penalties.

The young Mexican came on in the 81st minute and seemed to bring the game for life. With the scores tied at 0-0, El Tri’s Guillermo Franco scored in the 88th minute, only for Costa Rica to equalise right at the death.

Extra time saw Vela show some flashes of brilliance, as well as some signs of his lack of match practice. He continually linked up well with fellow Premier League player, and long-time friend, Giovanni Dos Santos, but saw his one clear effort scuffed out for a goal kick.

And so it came down to the horror of a penalty shootout. And with everyone but Ledezma of Costa Rica scoring, the responsibility of winning the game came down to the young Arsenal man, who made no mistake. Vela sent the keeper the wrong way, firing accurately to Navas’ right hand side to see his native country progress to the final. You can see the shootout blow.

Mexico will now play the United States on Sunday night to determine the winner, and it’s thought that Carlos will start that match, before flying back to join his Arsenal teammates.

Click To Watch Vela’s Penalty

Article By – Gianni Sonvico

Celta Vigo have reached an agreement with Arsenal wing-back Pedro Botelho for the Brazilian to move to the Estadio Balaídos for the whole of next season.

Botelho will complete the second part of a medical and be presented on Monday morning. He joins Vasco Fernandes, David Català and Cristian Bustos in making the move to Celta Vigo from Salamanca during the summer. Botelho, who made 27 appearances for UD Salamanca last season, will earn the criteria needed for a work permit in January. This means the 19-year-old is free to rejoin Arsenal next summer.

In other news, James Dunne has sealed a switch to Exeter City. The 19-year-old impressed during pre-season has earned himself a reported one-year-deal. He signed professional terms in 2007 and was a regular for Neil Banfield’s second-string before spending a spell at Nottingham Forest last season.

Young Guns would like to wish both players the best of luck for the future.

Article By – J.Sanderson

After a fairly lack luster pre-season, returning striker Jay Simpson admits he must ‘put away his chances’ in the coming campaign if he’s to make inroads towards Arsène Wenger’s first-team.

Speaking after the Gunners’ 3-2 win over Lincoln City, the 20-year-old marksman spoke about his delight at returning following 3 months on loan with West Brom.

“It’s good to be back, I was looking forward to it (returning). It’s good to see some familiar faces.”

Having honed his trade with West Brom, the natural progression would be return to Arsenal and be involved with the first team. Yet Simpson was left out of the squad which travelled to Austria on Monday, and while he admits it was disappointing, Jay has reaffirmed his targets.

“All us young players wanted to go to Austria, so it’s always going to be disappointing, but we’ve all got our own goals and targets.”

“I’m just focusing on pre-season and getting fit. After pre-season, we’ll take it from there.”

The Enfield born prospect is facing a make break situation. A return to Reserves football seems like the most obvious option at the moment, but having tested himself with relative success in the Premier League, it would be a massive fall from grace. Subsequently, Simpson is determined to take his chance to avoid that from happening.

“I need to work on everything. There’s no such thing as a finished product in football. I’m focused on goals, I’ve got to start putting away my chances.”

Like Nacer Barazite, Jay’s future will be decided when Wenger returns from Austria, a place both players will feel they should have been.

Arsenal’s Under 16’s kicked off their preparations for the new season yesterday with a 2-1 win over Millwall. Following a brief tournament in Sweden, the Gunners really stepped things up on their return to England and secured victory thanks to a classy brace from striker Zak Ansah. Steve Gatting’s boys were without Nico Yennaris and Josh Rees who left for an England training camp ahead of the Nordic Tournament this morning.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Flying Dutchman Nacer Barazite could feel a bit aggrieved he wasn’t selected for Arsenal’s Austrian training camp after netting for the third year in a row against Barnet, yet the 19-year-old has set his sights on making Arsène Wenger’s XI in the coming months.

After featuring on 36 occasions for Derby County last season, the leggy front-man has returned with two fantastic performances. First at Barnet on Saturday, and then Monday nights 3-2 win over Lincoln City. Speaking shortly after the full time whistle, Nacer admits his delight at returning to the club and took the time to identify what he’s learnt.

“I’m delighted to be back and play in the Arsenal shirt again.”

“I’m happy with my performance against Barnet, and my goal. I like to play against Barnet and score. I think I’ve changed physically, and mentally. I think I’m a lot stronger now. But I think I can get better.”

At Lincoln Barazite wore the number 10 shirt, the same number his idol Dennis Bergkamp donned during his legendary spell with Arsenal. Naturally, comparisons have been made between the two Dutch forwards and they returned on Monday and the former Nijmegen player confirmed his desire to play in Dennis’ former role.

“I’ve always said I don’t mind where I play, but if I had to chose a position I’d say in the number 10.”

Young Guns’ Sunday article regarding the future of Nacer sparked mass debate, with many suggesting he could go on loan again while some believed he was ready for the first-team. When asked, ‘Naz’ also seemed to be in the dark over his future but revealed his preference.

“You never know. Hopefully it (the future) will bring positive things, and hopefully I can play in the first team at Arsenal. I like to play for Arsenal, I want to play for Arsenal.

“My target is to make my debut for the first team, in the Premier League.”

It’s expected that Arsène Wenger will sit down with Barazite following the completion of the Austrian tour to thrash out an arrangement.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Today the UEFA Under 19’s European Championship kicked off with young gunners Henri Lansbury, Gavin Hoyte, Rhys Murphy and Fran Merida all involved for their respective nations.

England kicked off today against Switzerland, with Henri and Gavin both starting and with Murphy on the bench.

The three lions started cautiously, heeding their coach, Brain Eastick’s, words about the importance of not losing their first game. Indeed, it took until the 35th minute for a clear chance from either team. England won a free-kick on the edge of the area, and left-back Mattlock, a senior member of the team, stepped up to curl an effort home. And that’s how it stayed for the remainder of the half, despite Switzerland coming close just after Mattlock’s effort.

In the Second period Lansbury’s quality began to show through more and more. He was given plenty of opportunities to try out his corner technique and it almost cost the Swiss when his in-swinger caused frantic confusion, but unfortunately there was no-one on hand to turn it in. As England pressed, he turned creator once again when he played Wellbeck through on goal, only for the United striker to be denied by a superb goal-line clearance. In the end, their lack of end product gave Switzerland the opportunity to get back in the game, Steele produced save after save in the dying minutes, but could do nothing to stop another free-kick, this time from Wütrich, and his thunderous effort leveled it. The game finished 1-1, with both Lansbury and Hoyte playing the full 90 minutes

England will have to regroup quickly for a now crucial game against the Ukraine on Friday, and maybe they’ll look to Rhys Murphy, who played no part in today’s draw, as a source of goals.

Later on tonight, Merida’s Spain play Turkey, but Fran is suspended for the fixture.

In other international news, Carlos Vela’s Mexico will play Costa Rica in the Semi-finals of the Gold Cup after they beat Haiti 4-0 in the quarters. Vela didn’t play in that game and hasn’t taken part since the opening 10 minutes of the tournament. However, despite rumours that he was injured for the rest of pre-season, he was pencilled in as fit enough to play in the encounter against Haiti.

Article By  – Gianni Sonvico

Arsenal’s Under 18’s kicked off their pre-season on Saturday morning with a 6-0 rout over Plymouth Argyle’s exciting Academy side at London Colney.

The fixture proved to a solid run out for Steve Bould’s boys ahead of last night’s 3-2 win over Lincoln City at Sincil Bank. Plymouth began well against the Gunners and pressed hard in the early stages. Liam Head teed up Luke Young who just slid an effort over, before Young went even closer 12 minutes later.

As the half ticked down, Arsenal stepped up a gear and showed their superior fitness. Luke Freeman struck in the 40th minute to put the hosts in front before he doubled his tally 60 seconds later. It meant that Bould’s outfit went into the break with a tidy lead.

The tidy lead developed into a healthy one after the break when Freeman completed his hat-trick and added another to boot. That was sandwiched in between a Chuks Aneke double, showing he’s got bright prospects ahead of the coming campaign.

Freeman’s impressive performance came after his manager lauded his work rate and enthusiasm and tipped the former Gillingham starlet to be abig force next term.

“Luke trains like a trooper and gives it nothing but his best every day.”

“He’s got decent pace and is a good finisher, as we saw last season. We’ve seen him improve month by month in his year and a half here – he had to adapt from lower league football – adjusting to a short passing game, and has got to grips with it very well.

“In terms of things he can improve I’d look at his hold-up play, but I’m pleased with his progress. This season should be a good season for him to truly step up onto the FA Youth Cup stage, and hopefully make his way into the Reserve team picture.”

All in all it was a fantastic run out for some of last year’s Under 16’s who will be aiming to step up a level this term. The Premier Academy League and F.A Youth Cup trophies look to be in good hands ahead of the coming season.

Goals –

Luke Freeman – (4)
Chuks Aneke (2)

Article By – J.Sanderson

Steve Bould took an Arsenal Reserves and Youth XI to Lincolnshire this evening as the Gunners faced Lincoln City for the first time in 118 years. A 4,508 strong crowd was in attendance with a firm mixture of both Gooners and Imps. However, a car accident on the A46 motorway hampered travelling supporters.

On the pitch, seven regular members of Arsenal’s League and Cup winning Under 18’s started, while there a flavour of experience in the form of Nacer Barazite and Jay Simpson. Newly signed Sean McDermott was handed a debut, whilst there was three of the 09/10 scholars on the bench.

Shea
Ayling – Boateng – Miquel – Cruise
Sunu – Coquelin – Thomas – Watt
Barazite – Simpson

Subs: – McDermott, Obed, Özyakup, Henderson, Freeman.

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After 118 years, Arsenal have made the trek to Lincolnshire ahead of this evening’s pre-season friendly with League Two Lincoln City – who will face a Reserves and Youth XI at Sincil Bank.

In 1891 around 3,500 fans saw the mighty Imps beat Woolwich Arsenal 3-1 in Plumstead. 118 years on, a similar score-line is on the cards tonight, but this time for the visitors who will boast a squad of the finest young players in World football. A much larger crowd, closer to Sincil Bank’s 10,127 capacity is expected.

Arsenal have taken an extremely young squad up North. Infact it’s so young a handful of the names are yet to break into the Under 18’s on a full time basis never mind the Reserves. However, in front two Nacer Barazite and Jay Simpson there is experience and talent in abundance.

Nine of the squad played under Arsène Wenger at Barnet on Saturday, including Sanchez Watt who started. There is a first chance to look at Sean McDermott, who joined us this summer from IK Vag, whilst newly signed scholars Ignasi Miquel, Danny Boateng and Oğuzhan Özyakup make up an exciting line up.

Predicted Starting XI

Shea
Obed – Ayling – Miquel – Cruise
Sunu – Coquelin – Thomas – Watt
Barazite – Simpson

Subs: McDermott, Boateng, Özyakup, Henderson, Freeman.

Kick off is at 19:30 hours UK time. A small number of tickets may be available on the gate while there there is no live coverage on Arsenal TV Online. Young Guns’ Match Report will be published on the full time whistle and there may be Player Ratings to follow. Please leave a comment if you would like Player Ratings.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Håvard Nordtveit travelled to Germany this morning after Arsenal informed his current loan club, Lillestrøm, that they will not be extending his loan beyond August 1st.

Having firmly resurrected his reputation as one of the most promising defenders in Europe after returning to his home-land in March, Arsenal have now decided to give the 19-year-old a fresh challenge. German Bundesliga outfit Nürnberg have made an offer to take Håvard on loan until the end of the season, and the player himself has now left Norway to check out their facilities before returning to training tomorrow.

Lillestrøm’s Sporting Director confirmed that Nordtveit has travelled to Germany but admits the defenders future is still up in the air even if he rebuffs Nürnberg.

“Will Nordtveit stay with Lillestrøm if he says no to the Germans? – it is impossible to say. Everything is up to Arsenal. We said we want him to continue with us, and we can only hope for the best”

The Gunners have been making regular checks on Nordtveit who has established himself as first-choice in a frustrating season for LSK. The physical nature of Tippeligaen football has worried Arsenal officials after their prospect had his nose broken on his debut, and recently lost a tooth following an elbow in the mouth.

Nürnberg will be playing Bundesliga football next season after winning their Bundesliga II play-off. They will be battling against a return to the 2nd Division next term but they do boast a handful of internationals among their ranks. The coming weeks promise to be very interesting for Håvard.

Article By – J.Sanderson