Young Guns | Arsenal News

Arsenal are closing in on new contracts for Reserve team duo Håvard Nordtveit and Oğuzhan Özyakup. The pair are in different situations with their current deals, but are expected to seal extensions shortly.

Nordtveit has been in talks with the club since July, when agent Jim Solbakken flew into London and began negotiations. However, with 12 months left on his current deal, there has been no immediate rush to finalise an agreement.

Özyakup’s situation is a little more pressing. His current deal expires at the end of the season and reports in both Holland and Turkey suggest PSV Eindhoven have been in touch with his representatives and are willing to make an offer. Oğuzhan dismissed the speculation last month and confirmed his desire is to stay with Arsenal. Ivan Gazidis has since made an offer, which the 18-year-old is believed to be on the verge of signing.

Håvard and Oğuzhan have been regular features for the Reserve team this year but may well be set to go on loan in the new year, should they secure their stay in North London.

Huddersfield Town are in talks to extend Benik Afobe’s loan spell from Arsenal beyond the current December 4th deadline. Afobe has had a flying start to his career in Yorkshire and manager Lee Clark wants to extend the loan into the new year.

Arsenal had previously informed The Terriers that Benik would be required for the Under 18’s FA Youth Cup run, so an extension would be out of the question. However, after settling so quickly and impressing Clark, Huddersfield hope they can convince Arsène Wenger to sanction his stay.

You can view video highlights of Benik’s matches with Huddersfield so far, including his goals and assist against Rotherham, by clicking here.

Barcelona will send their Juvenil A squad to compete alongside Arsenal’s Under 18’s at the 2011 Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup in July. The Catalan giants confirmed their place in the ‘SuperGroup’ yesterday.

Arsenal announced they had accepted an invitation to enter the competition earlier this season, and the hosts had promised to land more big names. The SuperGroup has seen many of the best clubs in the world compete over the course of its 31 year history. These include Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Chelsea, but this will be both The Gunners and Barça’s inaugural year.

Corinthians, Tigres, Alajuelense, Chorrillo FC and Eintracht Frankfurt are set to make up a strong group at Under 19 level. Arsenal and Barcelona are among the early favourites for the competition with both having excellent achievements at youth level in recent years. Barça’s Juvenil A side boasts a selection of highly rated prospects including former Arsenal target Gerard Deuloufeu.

It will be the first trip to America by any Arsenal team while Barcelona are still exploring the US market. Dallas Cup Executive Director Gordon Jago believes the participation of both sides is a split between commercial and football reasons.

“They are going to make a push for branding in the U.S. with some personal appearances while they are here. They are planning on putting on a clinic for players and coaches in the tournament.”

Young Guns will be working alongside the Dallas Cup to bring you more information about the tournament closer to it’s start. You can view more information via their website at www.dallascup.com.

Henri Lansbury played in goal for the final 30 minutes of England Under 21’s clash with Germany U21’s this evening. Lansbury, who started the game on the right wing, went between the sticks when Jason Steele was sent off on the hour mark.

Lansbury began the game well in the opening stages, almost finding Scott Sinclair with a free-kick with just 10 minutes on the clock. However, it was a rare England attack as Germany began to dominate and eventually take the lead through Konstantin Rausch.

Jason Steele replaced goalkeeper Scott Loach in goal at half time and did well, making two key saves to stop it being 2-0. Lansbury then found Nathan Defouneso with a fantastic ball in-between the centre backs but the Villa striker lashed wide.

Then came Henri’s big moment. Steele was sent off after clipping down Germany’s Vukcevic and Lansbury, who often plays in goal during training for Arsenal, took Steele’s gloves and jersey and went in goal to face the penalty. Cenk Tosun sent him the wrong way from 12 yards. 2-0.

Lansbury then went on to make a selection of good saves to keep it at 2-0. He first did well to tip over Vukcevic’s flick header from close range and then save Tosun’s long range drive. Henri didn’t have a lot to do after as England searched for a conciliation, but two further long range efforts and another header in the penalty area were all dealt with by the Gunners midfielder in with succession.

It finished 2-0 but Henri’s performance in goal will memorable in a largely unforgettable fixture for the young Lions.

GCR Books are well known for producing in depth and intriguing Arsenal-related books. Titles such as ‘The Arsenal Stadium Mystery’ and ‘Herbert Chapman On Football’ have all positioned GCR as a respected publishing outlet.

The latest addition to the growing family, ‘Billy Gooner’s First Match’, is something quite different. Aimed at the younger supporter, author Greg Adams has teamed up with illustrator Debbie Mitchell to produce 16 pages each of text and illustrations.

The story is set in 1976; as Billy Gooner celebrates his seventh birthday with an unexpected trip to Highbury with his Dad to watch Arsenal play West Ham United. The timing seems odd and a little out of touch but it works well, educating young Gooners about the history of the club while also maintaining traditional values.

The plot on the whole is naturally tame for a book aimed at youngsters, but still offers a selection of ups and downs along the way. Priced at £5.99 from GCR Books or £6.99 from the major online book-sellers, Billy Gooner’s First Match offers a good read, beautiful illustrations and a sense of history and traditional at a reasonable price.

The book is available from the online shop at GCR Books.

VfB Stuttgart midfielder Serge Gnabry is set to fly to London next month for an adaptation training period ahead of his transfer to Arsenal in July. The Gunners have already agreed on a deal which will see Gnabry join on his 16th birthday.

Serge impressed during a trial earlier in the season and the club moved quickly to secure his services. The youngster shot to fame after starring for Stuttgart’s youth side in last seasons Nike Cup. The central midfielder, who is also at home on the wing, has already been given scholarship terms and will be a part of the Under 18’s next season.

Gnabry was born in Germany to Ivorian parents but has already settled on his international future. Last month he played for the German Under 16’s in a friendly against Northern Ireland. He won the Man of the Match award, scoring a fantastic opener and then playing a part in the others in a 4-3 win.

You can view a video of Serge in action against Ireland below. It features his opener, seconds into the video, a collection of assists including two superb dribbles and crosses.

Click Here To Watch

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.

Vito Mannone played the full 90 minutes on his Hull City debut in a 2-0 win over Preston on Friday night. City came into the game in the bottom three but 12 saves from Mannone, including two stunning stops, helped them survive a barrage from Preston and win 2-0.

Kyle Bartley played the full 90 minutes at centre back for Sheffield United as they beat Millwall 1-0. Bartley was arguably The Blades’ Man of the Match, making several key blocks and tackles and earning a rare clean sheet.

Sanchez Watt missed Leeds United 3-1 win over Bristol City due to injury.

Benik Afobe completed his third 90 minutes in a week for Huddersfield Town as they lost 1-0 to Cedric Evina’s Oldham Athletic. Afobe failed to add to his brace and assist in midweek but did come close with a flicked header late on.

Cedric Evina played 85 minutes at left back for Oldham Athletic as they beat Benik Afobe’s Huddersfield United 1-0.

Luke Freeman came off the bench to play the final 15 minutes for Yeovil Town against Dagenham and Redbridge. Freeman came on with the scores level at 1-1 but two late goals, including one from former Gunner Abu Ogogo saw The Daggers snatch the win.

Thomas Cruise was an unused substitute for Carlisle United as they beat Southampton 3-2 at Brunton Park.

Gavin Hoyte wrapped up another 90 minutes at right back for Lincoln City as they beat Morecambe 2-1.

Mark Randall missed Rotherham’s 0-0 draw with York City due to a broken cheek bone.

Francis Coquelin was restored to the bench following the return of Arnold Mvuemba after the death of his son. However, Coquelin did play the final 21 minutes as a substitute against PSG. Francis was booked seconds after coming on for a poor challenge on Ceara. It finished 1-1.

Armand Traore played the final 43 minutes for Juventus on his debut against Roma. Traore replaced Fabio Grosso at left back two minutes after half time.

Nacer Barazite, who scored in the Dutch Cup in midweek, was an unused substitute for Vitesse Arnhem as they thrashed VVV 5-1.

Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes on the left of a five man midfield as Recreativo Huelva beat FC Cartagena 3-0. Botelho showed early promise by cutting inside and smashing an effort inches over. Yet Recreativo stepped up their play in the second half and cruised to victory.

Samuel Galindo was an unused substitute for UD Salamanca as they lost 3-2 to Ponferradina.

Benik Afobe has made a positive start to life at Huddersfield Town, with glowing reports surfacing from both fans and critics alike. With Afobe gone, Chuks Aneke will now miss his partner in crime over the coming month and possibly longer if Huddersfield and Arsenal agree to extend Afobe’s loan. However, with Wenger keen to fast track both the young England internationals, Aneke may be joining Afobe sooner rather than later on loan at another club.

With Aneke taking to reserves football like a duck to water and the likelihood that he will not be featuring in the Carling Cup this year, surely a loan move would be a good option for the youngster. Aneke would join the likes of Afobe, Freeman, Evina, Cruise, Watt and Coquelin who have all joint separate clubs respectively. Both Aneke and Afobe have the potential to make it at Arsenal in the years to come, which makes it all the more fulfilling that the pair have played with each other since they were 7 years old. Afobe recently mentioned that his partnership with Aneke ‘comes naturally’, begging the question; in future should Arsenal send their promising youngsters on loan together?

Perhaps the best example of this concept is Barcelona. The Spanish giants make sure that their youngsters are constantly playing and progressing with each other, creating a loyalty to the club and their team mates. After the youth team they are placed in Barcelona B who play in the Spanish Segunda League playing competitive football week in, week out with each other , developing as a team, as footballers and as human beings. The rewards are there for all to see, with the majority of the Barcelona first team consisting of previous youth and B team players.

Arsenal are certainly able to compete with the tactical consistency of Barcelona throughout the youth, reserves and first team with every team playing the ‘Arsenal way’. From the U9’s to the first team Arsenal play with quick movement and passing in a 4-5-1 formation. This continuity is vital in keeping a consistency throughout the club so that youngsters who do progress to the first team already understand the philosophy of Wengers side.

The only thing lacking compared to Barcelona, is the ability to offer competitive football in an English league. Instead the youngsters are sent out on loan to a variety of clubs to gain valuable experience, but they may not necessarily play the ‘Arsenal Way’. If they were sent on loan together they would be able to continue their rapport with each other in a competitive league.

Although it could be argued that the main purpose of a loan move is to experience the vigorous demands of competitive football and to try and find a way to combat this alone, the support of a fellow Arsenal loanee could help promote a vital attribute in football: camaraderie. It would also help players from abroad such as Wellington who is yet to appreciate the English game. If he was loaned out with a fellow Arsenal youngster it would help the player feel much more part of the Arsenal set up, rather than a fish out of water.

Arsenal have certainly profited from loan moves in the past, with Jack Wilshere the most recent example. Yet with the possibility of sending two or three youngsters on loan together it could certainly help them understand each other’s game that little bit more, which could only be a good thing in the long term for Arsenal football club. It is not guaranteed that every youngster who goes on loan will become a first team regular, but for the few that do make it, if they have continued to play with each other in competitive football the integration in to the first team may be much more comfortable.

What harm could it do if Afobe, Aneke and future acquisition Wellington went on loan together for a couple of months? I’m sure Huddersfield Town fans wouldn’t be complaining.

Jack Wilshere has been nominated for Tuttosport’s Golden Boy award for 2010. The prestigious accolade is handed to the best player, under 21 years of age, over the past year. It has previously been scooped by the likes of Cesc Fabregas, in 2006, and was claimed last year by Alexandre Pato.

Tuttosport published their nominations this afternoon, naming their 40 candidates for the award, with Wilshere an early front runner. British talent is scarce on the list, with Jack being one of only two English players named. The other is Aston Villa’s Nathan Delfouneso.

However, UK based talent does feature heavily, with Manchester United’s Rafael, Federico Macheda and Bebé joined by Gaël Kakuta from Chelsea, Dani Pacheco from Liverpool and Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli. Former Gunner Fran Mérida is also included.

You can cast your vote, plus see all the candidates via the Tuttosport website.