Archive for Category: "News"
Kyle Ebecilio: I turned down PSV and Anderlecht to join Twente from Arsenal
Kyle Ebecilio has revealed he turned down moves to PSV and Anderlecht to join FC Twente from Arsenal last week. The Holland Under-19 midfielder has agreed to return to his homeland with Twente at the end of the season, with the Gunners opting not to stand in his way. And according to the player himself, Ebecilio had a choice of different options. ‘The first team I spoke to was PSV,’ he told Twente’s website. ‘Then I spoke with Twente and Anderlecht. Last week I took the plunge – FC Twente was the one for me.’
Arsenal entrust Pat Holland with role as Under-18′s coach
Arsenal have completed their summer reshuffle of the coaching staff this week, with the appointment of Pat Holland as the club’s new Under-18′s coach. After Steve Bould and Neil Banfield were promoted to first-team coaching duty at the end of the season, Arsenal have been looking for experience to fill the voids of reserves and Under-18′s head coaches. Former Gunner Terry Burton has arrived to work with the reserves, and after a protracted search, I’m told 61-year-old West Ham legend Holland will take charge of the academy team.
Arsenal take a look at Georgian starlet Nika Chanturia
Arsenal’s global search for talent is continuing with a look at exciting Georgian defender Nika Chanturia. The 17-year-old centre back is in the second week of his fortnight stay with the club, and has already left a good impression on the coaching staff. A tall, composed and technical defender, he fits the bill of a classic Arsenal player, and has had no shortage of admirers. Arsenal were offered a look at Georgia Under-17 captain Chanturia a month ago, by an agency that represents him. I understand that the club are usually against taking players based on recommendations, but he was spotted previously.
Arsenal set to miss out on luxury signing M’Baye Niang
Take Robin van Persie out of the equation, and it’s been a very good summer so far for Arsenal. Top targets Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud have been acquired, while deals are at an advanced stage for midfield cavalry in the form of Santi Cazorla and Nuri Şahin. But Arsène Wenger looks set to miss out on his luxury signing – 17-year-old French sensation M’Baye Niang – after failing to agree a deal with Caen.
Arsenal allow Benik Afobe to continue his development at Bolton
Arsène Wenger has once again entrusted Owen Coyle with the development of one of his top prospects, after allowing Benik Afobe to move to Bolton on loan. Arsenal have accepted loan offers from both Millwall and Bolton for the 19-year-old, and Afobe has opted to move to the latter, after Wenger gave the switch his blessing earlier this week. Afobe, who has also spent time on-loan with Huddersfield Town and then Reading.
Arsenal take their place in new Under-21 Premier League
It’s been mooted for around 12 months, but will finally come into place next season. The Premier League will scrap it’s existing Reserve League format, in favour of a new Under-21 tournament. The changes are brought in less than two years after the last overhaul of the reserves system, when the league was divided into groups A, B and C, as opposed to the previous North and South divide. The new league will be strictly for Under-21 players only.
Arsenal ask Francis Coquelin to end their midfield hunt
Arsène Wenger has handed Francis Coquelin the opportunity to become Arsenal’s next great defensive midfielder, and with it, save the club a substantial sum of money. Arsenal scouts have been to France, Norway, Belgium and then back to France in the hunt for a prime defensive midfielder in the last 12 months, but they are yet to appease Wenger. Yann M’Vila, Kara Mbodj, Lucas Biglia and Étienne Capoue have all been extensivily watched.