Pedro Botelho told Arsenal’s Official Magazine last month his style is similar to that of Tottenham’s Gareth Bale. The Brazilian further added to that comparison by scoring a Bale-esque goal against Villarreal B yesterday.
Botelho played the full 90 minutes at left back for FC Cartagena, who beat Villarreal’s second string 2-0. The 20-year-old opened the scoring with a brilliant solo effort, after incepting the ball in his own half.
You can watch Pedro’s goal here.
Bolivan midfielder Samuel Galindo has received loan offers from both Levante and Celta Vigo, as the two Spanish clubs hope to strengthen their blossoming relationship with Arsenal.
Galindo is currently on a season long loan with Segunda side UD Salamanca, but passport trouble combined with a broken ankle has seen his chances limited. The Bolivian has only just returned to match fitness following that injury, but he finds himself on the fringes of the team.
Levante and Celta Vigo both enjoy solid relationships with Arsenal, and hope signing Galindo on loan next season would boost their partnerships. The two clubs want to establish a formal agreement with the Gunners, in a similar way that Salamanca did until recently.
However, the deal would depend on their La Liga status. Levante are currently battling relegation, while Celta Vigo are seeking promotion. Should neither be playing top flight football next season, another year at Salamanca seems inevitable.
The 18-year-old told ‘Salamanca Direct’ this week that he hoped to stay with The Union, but that the decision was out of his hands.
Galindo is not currently eligible for a work permit to play for Arsenal.
Arsenal are scouting Charlton Athletic defender Carl Jenkinson, but speculation of an imminent move is wide of the mark. Fellow London clubs Fulham and West Ham have also made checks on the 19-year-old.
Charlton confirmed yesterday that Jenkinson had turned down the opportunity to extend his contract, and that he would be free to leave The Valley in the summer. The promising right back only broke into the first-team in December, following a short loan spell with Eastbourne Borough.
However, he has been on the radar of Premier League sides for a number of years. Manchester United were close to signing Jenkinson as a 17-year-old, but the transfer collapsed. He had also been watched during last seasons FA Youth Cup campaign, where he captained Charlton’s Under 18’s.
Carl is a six foot one inch right back, who can also play in central defence or as a left back. Noted for his stylish and composed play, the London-born prospect has represented both England and Finland at international level. Jenkinson is currently the captain of the Fins Under 19 team, but has not decided on which country he will represent in the long term.
Jenkinson will be available on a free transfer in the summer, but due to UEFA rules, Charlton will expect a compensation fee of around £250,000.
England Under 16’s beat Northern Ireland Under 16’s 3-0 in the SkySports Victory Shield this evening. Arsenal’s Jack Jebb, one of four young Gunners involved, bagged a goal and assist.
The Young Lions came into the re-arranged clash knowing a win was vitial if they were to retain the Shield once more. Coach Kenny Swain selected four of Steve Gatting’s Under 16’s in the starting lineup; Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill, Isaac Hayden and Jack Jebb. Chuba Akpom was on the bench.
England enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, with holding midfielder Hayden showing some neat touches in the middle of the park. However, as the game became stretched, it was Jebb’s excellent passing ability that created the first chance, which was wasted by Newcastle’s Adam Campbell.
Jebb then played his part in the opener minutes later. After first scrapping away to win the ball in the midfield, he played a delightful one-two with Devante Cole, before the latter controlled and finished well. 1-0.
Chuka Akpom came off the bench at half time, meaning four of the eleven England players were from Arsenal. He could have scored the second shortly after entering the pitch, but his mazy run and shot went wide. However, he made up for it shortly after, winning a free-kick which Jebb clipped home for 2-0.
The tired Jebb came off shortly after, and was swiftly followed by Ormonde-Ottewill, who looked decent in an unfamiliar left back role. The game was sealed late on, when Apkom assisted for Rothwell to make it 3-0.
The win leaves Swain’s boys with a good chance of retaining the trophy, with a clash against Scotland still to follow.
Wellington Silva has been granted a brief reprise from his deteriorating loan spell with Levante, after being selected by Brazil for the International Mediterranean Cup next month.
Silva joined the La Liga outfit on loan in January, after Arsenal failed to win a work permit for the former Fluminense forward. However, a serious bout of home sickness, combined with question marks over his attitude and work rate, have left coach Luis García frustrated.
The club have since drawn up a diet and fitness plan, but Wellington has only featured once, as an 89th minute substitute against Getafe in late January. García lost his patience due to the players consistently poor attitude, something both Flu and Arsenal have previously experienced.
The striker will finally get some match time next month, though. Brazil Under 18’s have included him in their squad for the International Mediterranean Cup, which takes place in Barcelona from the 19th to the 24th of April. It will feature over 40 national teams, from four continents.
Levante have agreed to release the prospect, in the hope that the change of location and the promise of match time will kick start what has been an unsuccessful few months for the exciting youngster.
Arsenal have agreed to sign Hertha BSC defender Leander Siemann following a trial. The German centre back will complete the transfer in the summer.
Siemann joined Arsenal on trial in February, as Young Guns revealed. A regular for Hertha’s Under 16’s, he was set to leave the club in the summer, to spend a year in London studying. However, a family friend recommended him to Liam Brady, and the 15-year-old impressed during a week long training stint.
The six foot two inch youngster is noted for his powerful and physical approach. At home at either centre or right back, Leander has signed a three-year-contract, and told German agency ‘Bild’ that the move is a ‘dream come true’.
Arsenal have agreed a compensation package worth €250,000.
Jérémie Aliadière joined Arsenal in 1999 as one of the brightest prospects in world football. Fast forward eleven years, and the Frenchman is back in North London trying to re-build his career.
Aliadière was recommended to Arsene Wenger after impressing in the famed Clairefontaine system. He signed a scholarship and the then 16-year-old went straight into the Academy side. The pacy striker was considerably successful at that level, scoring a record number of goals as Arsenal claimed the FA Youth Cup.
A promotion to the first-team followed. The 2001-2002 season saw Jérémie make his mark on the Premier League, making his debut against Fulham. He scored his first goal against West Brom in the closing stages of the campaign, leaving a positive impression on Wenger.
The youngster went on to play in the Carling Cup again the following year, as a class that featured Arturo Lupoli, Cesc Fabregas and Philippe Senderos took their first steps in the first-team. He scored four goals as the Gunners were knocked out in the semi finals. The impact didn’t go unnoticed though, as Aliadière won the Young Talent of the League Cup award. He also claimed a Premier League winners medal.
Those highlights were about as good as it got for the youngster. He missed nearly all of the 2004-2005 season through injury, then failed to make any impact when he returned. A selection of failed loans to Celtic, West Ham and then Wolves saw his development stall.
However, Jérémie returned to Arsenal with a point to prove. He again had to use the League Cup, but bagged goals against West Brom, Liverpool and Tottenham en route to the final, where he played 80 minutes in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea. That defeat proved to be the beginning of the end.
After failing to win promises over his future, Jérémie’s relationship with Wenger began to deteriorate. In January 2007 a move to Middlesbrough collapsed after Robin van Persie was ruled out through injury, and he was made to complete the season in London. He finally moved to the North East the following summer.
The £2 million signing snapped at Wenger after signing for ‘Boro, criticising his management style. He had a good start to life in the North, scoring against former club Arsenal and Manchester United. Yet he couldn’t stop Gareth Southgate’s side from being relegated from the Premier League.
Gordon Strachan replaced Southgate after a number of poor performances. After just one injury-dogged season in the Championship, Jérémie opted to leave. He trained with both Fulham and West Ham before a horrible knee ligament injury ended their interest.
Aliadière returned to Middlesbrough for training, from where he almost joined Dubai based Al Ain, only for a move their to break down. In January 2011 further transfers to Blackpool and Newcastle also broke down.
Despite their previous spat, Wenger offered his former player the option to train at London Colney two weeks ago. Jérémie is now close to full fitness, and with his former manager looking after him, expect to see the Frenchman back in the big time soon.
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.
Carlos Vela missed West Brom’s 2-2 draw with parent club Arsenal due to being ineligible.
Kyle Bartley missed Rangers 2-1 win over Celtic in the League Cup Final after suffering suspected medial ligament damage.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was an unused substitute for Cardiff City as they drew 3-3 with Millwall.
Henri Lansbury played the full 90 minutes as Norwich City drew 1-1 with Hull City. Lansbury failed add to his goal in midweek, but turned in a solid shift in midfield.
Sanchez Watt came off the bench to play the final six minutes of Leeds United’s 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United. Watt replaced Robert Snodgrass wide on the right, but struggled to get involved.
Vito Mannone missed Hull City’s 1-1 draw with Norwich City through injury.
Craig Eastmond was not included in the Millwall squad that drew 3-3 with Cardiff City.
Benik Afobe came off the bench to play the final 18 minutes of Huddersfield Town’s 0-0 draw with Swindon Town. Afobe was involved in a late goal mouth scramble, but failed to find the decisive strike in an even game.
Mark Randall was not included in the Rotherham United squad that lost 5-0 to Chesterfield on Friday night. Manager Ronnie Moore criticised Randall again in midweek, saying he was not suited to League Two football.
Gavin Hoyte will not play again this season after suffering medial ligament damage.
Ryo Miyaichi played the full 90 minutes as Feyenoord lost 3-0 to Roda JC. Miyaichi showed some neat touches on the left but struggled to be involved as Roda ended Feyenoord’s six match unbeaten run.
Francis Coquelin and Gilles Sunu were both second half substitutes as Lorient drew 0-0 with Saint-Etienne. Sunu came off the bench in the 67th minute with Coquelin following him 12 minutes later in what proved to be a stalemate.
Armand Traoré started and played 68 minutes of Juventus’ 2-1 win over Brescia. The Frenchman turned in a solid shift at left back, continuing to grow on recent good performances.
Wellington Silva was not included in the Levante squad that drew 0-0 with Deportivo La Coruna.
Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes as FC Cartagena drew 0-0 with Alcorcón. The Brazilian, who scored and made an assist last week, returned to a left back role and again kept a clean sheet.
Samuel Galindo returned to the UD Salamanca side following a broken ankle but was was an unused substitute as The Union lost 1-0 to Real Betis.
Young Guns is delighted to announce the latest way to catch our news and updates, with our free Android application, from LineTen. You can download the app from the Android market as of today.
Just like the iPhone and iPod version, the app features all the latest articles delivered in a stylish list format, with pictures. However, the Android one also features blog comments and a list of our latest information from Twitter. There is also an option to get in touch and suggest further features.
The creation and development is down to the excellent LineTen.com. You can follow them on Twitter for technical support plus news on further releases.
You can download the application , for free, by clicking here.