Young Guns | Arsenal News

Heineken Road to the Final perfectly sums up the Champions League drama

May 4, 2013May 4, 2013Nick Love

So the Champions League final is upon us. The greatest club competition in the world is almost over, and the Road to the Final is nearly complete.

Bayern Munich will play Borussia Dortmund in the first ever all-German final to be held at Wembley. I for one, cannot wait. The Champions League inspires memories of the best players, the biggest clubs and the most amazing matches.

And as a venue, Wembley is a perfect choice.

So it's not surprise that tickets for the final are likely to be difficult to get your hands on. I was looking around for some this week, when I stumbled upon Heineken's Road to the Final promotion video.

I'm always skeptical of these sorts of campaigns, but I thought the thrilling story of one fans rush across the world to get to the match on time summed up exactly everything that the Champions League is about. Heart, passion, spirit and a desire to make it at all costs.

The video is beautifully produced, and features a die hard supporter who picks up his tickets on one side of the planet, and manages to get to Wembley with minutes to spare ahead of the kick off – and of course, he has an ice cold Heineken to boot.

The story told was really simple but effective, but unlikely most other campaigns, it had more substance as well as style. After the video has run its course, you can play a pin-ball style game for points that kept me interested for hours.

I'm always a bit of a sucker for these sorts of games, but even my incredibly busy girlfriend found time to enjoy it – inbetween studying.

But it doesn't end there. The experience continues with the chance to tweet legendary midfielder Clarence Seedorf, who is answering questions and engaging with the campaign and with football fans.

Overall, this is a great video, great game and encourages great interaction in cooperation with a great Football tournament. What more can we ask for? Check it out for yourself below.

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Arsenal or Ajax: could going abroad for your footie fix be cheaper?

March 28, 2013April 2, 2013Staff Writer

They’re two of the most famous clubs in world football, and both have a reputation for playing patient, attacking football. However, fans of Arsenal have more than a few complaints about the amount of money they’re being charged for the privilege of watching their team and it’s easy to see why when looking at the stats.

Priced out?

A survey by the BBC of football clubs throughout England and Scotland revealed that, among other things, a season ticket at the Emirates Stadium could cost close to £2,000, an eye-watering amount for even the richest Gunners fan to pay. An individual match-day, though cheaper, is still pretty costly too.

£26 is the lowest price for an adult’s ticket, although they go up to as much as £126
A programme, pie and cup of tea at the Emirates will cost a combined £8.30 per person
That plus transport costs to and from the Emirates from Central London or parking fees can make a trip to see Arsenal something many ordinary fans will find unaffordable, but if they want to watch top-class football, where else can they go?

Next stop, the Netherlands…

They share a lot of characteristics with Arsenal, produce a huge amount of young talent and play football in the right way, but are Ajax Amsterdam, the current leaders of the Dutch Eredivisie, any less expensive to watch, even when considering travel costs? In terms of the basic cost of watching them, the answer appears to be yes.

Tickets for a typical league game at the 51,000-capacity Amsterdam ArenA are usually around £16-£39 in the lower tier, while the upper tier has tickets for between £15.20-£29.50, which is much less than the prices for Arsenal games. Higher-profile matches in Europe and against the bigger Eredivisie teams are more expensive though, with maximum prices going up to £64!

The price of extras including refreshments is usually a little less than at the Emirates, but factoring in flights to Amsterdam as low as £76 (source), is it any less? The overall cost including flights is a little higher for going to see Ajax than Arsenal, but as a break from the norm, it might be worth doing if, say, Arsenal are playing away against one of the Premier League’s lesser lights like Stoke City.

Jernade Meade set for loan as Arsenal sign Nacho Monreal

February 6, 2013February 7, 2013Staff Writer

If the Arsenal transfers rumours on talkSPORT were anything to go by, Arsenal were expected to be quiet on transfer deadline day, and up until the final hours they were. But the £8.5million arrival of Nacho Monreal from Malaga will at satisify those who demanded Arsene Wenger did some business.

Nacho Monreal will force Jernade Meade out of Arsenal

The Malaga left-back will add competition to the likes of Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos and Jernade Meade, with the latter likely to move on-loan having found first-team chances limited.

Monreal has gone straight into the Arsena lineup, and with Santos set to play in the Champions League, Meade is set to join a Championship or League One side for some experience in the next few weeks.

Nottingham Forest, who have ex-Gunner Henri Lansbury, and relegation threatened Bristol City have both emerged as possible destinations, while League One high flyers Swindon are also believed to be keen.

If Meade does move on, he is set to be replaced with Samir Bihmoutine or Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill in first-team training, with the latter especially impressing the coaching staff in the last few weeks.

Elsewhere, Reice Charles-Cook could have his loan extended at non-league side Chelmsford City where he has impressed, and Samuel Galindo is looking for a new loan club having been released by Lugo. A return to his native Boliva is on the cards.

Thomas Vermaelen issues rallying call ahead of crunch Arsenal fixtures

February 5, 2013February 5, 2013Nick Love

Arsenal have been a regular fixture in the Champions League for over a decade although their place at the European top table is seriously under threat this season, with the Gunners now off the pace when it comes to a place in the Premier League top four.

1571447510 — Thomas Vermaelen knows Arsenal have some tough games ahead

The team’s 2-0 reverse at home to Manchester City meant they were six points behind north London rivals Tottenham, with Thomas Vermaelen calling for his side to stay strong and pick up some valuable points in the same way that they did when reeling in Spurs last season to claim a top four spot.

“There are a lot of big, big fixtures coming up against good teams – big games,” he told Arsenal Player.

“This [the defeat to City] was the first one, we wanted to have a good start and that is why it is more disappointing we could not get a good result.”

“But against Swansea, I am confident the group will respond on this defeat, and I’m confident we can get a result on Wednesday.”

Indeed, the FA Cup has become a very significant competition for Arsenal London tickets this season considering that winning a Premier League title is out of the question and a Champions League last sixteen exit could happen after the Gunners drew Bayern Munich.

Vermaelen is hoping that the fans can make all the difference and the Arsenal captain is keen for the supporters to cheer them on to victory against Swansea before that tricky trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

“That [the fan’s backing] is really important and I’m pleased with that,” he said. “That can give us a massive boost that they’re behind us, and they did that through the whole game.”

“It was difficult for us because we had 10 men, and for them as well, but they supported us through the whole game.”

Arsenal will play several games in the next few weeks, but don’t forget there are a wide range of sports tickets aviliaible.

Arsenal entrust Pat Holland with role as Under-18’s coach

August 16, 2012August 18, 2012Staff Writer

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. He has already met the players.

London-born Holland brings with him a wealth of experience. He played 245 times for West Ham between 1969 and 1981, and apart from a brief loan period at Bournemouth, he was a one club man.

In terms of coaching, Holland has experience at both youth and first-team level. He has worked as a youth team coach at Tottenham, but also enjoyed a spell as manager of Leyton Orient.

In recent years, Holland has been working as a chief scout. He spent many years working for Championship side Millwall, before helping MK Dons’ rise as a trusted member of Roberto Di Matteo’s recruitment team.

I’m told Holland is already proving to be a popular figure around the club, and is expected to take charge of Saturday’s academy league opener against Bolton.

Arsenal take a look at Georgian starlet Nika Chanturia

August 14, 2012August 18, 2012Staff Writer

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, and the early signs are that he might be a player for the future.

Liam Brady and new reserve team coach Terry Burton are still putting together their squads for the new season, and are on the look out for another centre back for the Under-18’s.

Second year scholar Zac Fagan has shown some promise, and has been joined by new scholars Leander Siemann and Tom Dallison.

But Arsenal are hopeful of adding a fourth option before the end of the transfer window, and have already looked at Swedish youngster Linus Wahlquist, who enjoyed a trial last month, but wasn’t seen as good enough.

Chanturia though is a highly-rated centre back with lots of ability, but securing him from Georgian side Lokomotivi Tbilisi will be tricky, given he is already in the first-team squad, and would require a work permit.

Arsenal will make a decision on Chanturia next week.

Arsenal set to miss out on luxury signing M’Baye Niang

August 5, 2012August 5, 2012Staff Writer

M'Baye-Niang-Caen — Arsenal are set to lose out on M’Baye Niang to AC Milan

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.

Wenger was excited and then impressed after bringing Niang to North London for a trial last month, and has been keen to find an agreement to buy the young striker.

However, his opening £5 million bid was rejected a fortnight ago, and despite talks re-opening last week, the two clubs are still struggling to agree terms.

Arsenal’s first offer was a package worth £5 million, which was snubbed with Caen valuing the player at £7 million. Wenger has indicated he is happy to move closer to that figure, but is only willing to put £2 million up front, with the rest to following in bonuses.

Caen are refusing to budge, and want all the money up front, despite Niang telling them he is desperate to move to Arsenal.

Yet that is now looking an unlikely proposition, with AC Milan close to striking a deal. Talks have progressed with Caen over the weekend, and the two clubs are confident a transfer will go through.

The news will come as a disappointment for Wenger, who had been keen to land Niang, but believes he requires work to reach his potential, and is unwilling to gamble a huge amount of up front.

Arsenal allow Benik Afobe to continue his development at Bolton

August 1, 2012August 5, 2012Staff Writer

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, had been promised a fringe role in Wenger’s first-team setup next season, but will snub that opportunity to ramp up his development under Coyle’s tutelage.

A powerful, strong and hard working striker, Afobe has been chased by a number of clubs ranging from the lower half of the Premier League, to his former hunting ground of League One, but he will move to Bolton after they gave him guarantees over playing time.

It’s a smart decision from a kid who is clearly switched on, and proactive in his own personal development. Afobe follows close friends Jack Wilshere and more recently Ryo Miyaichi, in sparkling at one of the best finishing schools in England – the Bolton first-team.

The details are expected to be made public before the weekend.

Arsenal take their place in new Under-21 Premier League

July 31, 2012August 5, 2012Staff Writer

It’s been mooted for around 12 months, but will finally come into place next season. The Premier League will scrap its 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 is aimed at Under-21 players only, but a total of four overage players will be allowed in each match day squad, including a maximum of three outfielders and one goalkeeper. The rule is designed at making the matches more even and competitive.

Another key element of the league, is that it will be mostly made up of clubs granted a category one academy licence, although a number of teams who applied for category one, but were refused, will also feature.

The 23 teams confirmed have been divided into two groups of eight, and one group of 7, with the top two from each group advancing to the elite stage in January.

There they’ll be joined by two of the best third-placed teams, and will then do battle for the trophy in a knock out style format. You following?

The full details are yet to be confirmed, but it’s understood the opening groups are as follows:

Group A:
Arsenal, Blackburn, Bolton, Everton, Norwich, Reading, West Brom and West Ham.

Group B:
Newcastle, Tottenham, Southampton, Stoke, Manchester United, Watford, Sunderland and Aston Villa.

Group C:
Fulham, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace and Wolves.

The most obvious changes are that there will be no divides, and a quality range of opponents for each team. It’s not yet been made clear, but the Under-16’s and Under-18 leagues are expected to undergo similar changes.

Update: Arsenal have confirmed their participation, with a list of fixtures published on the official site here. The first two games, at home against Blackburn and Bolton, will be played at the Emirates Stadium.