Month: June 2008

AZ Alkmaar’s sporting director Marcel Brands has slammed both Arsenal and Liverpool for ‘stealing’ the clubs brightest young prospects, despite the Dutch outfit previously doing the same thing.

Speaking with Netherlands daily Algemeen Dagblad, Brands raged at the manner foreign clubs can come and simply poach their prize assets, and in return leave them with only minimal compensation

“We are completely powerless against it here” “But we know how things stand. We just sit here, unable to do anything,”

Arsenal recently completed the signing of right midfielder Oguzhan Özyakup, whilst Liverpool are on the verge of snapping up winger Vincent Weijl. Brands claims both players had agreed terms with AZ on new contracts, but the chance to play aboard has proven too lucrative to turn down.

You could understand the club preaching about losing the players, but their protests are will fall on the deaf ears of the Gunners staff, as Alkmaar have previously snatched young prospects of their own. Last summer long-term Arsenal target Kolbennin Sigthorsson agreed a deal with the club, and while he was still in his native Iceland, AZ moved in and offered him regular first team football, if he chose to spur the Gunners advances.

He quickly penned terms with them, leaving Arsene Wenger no doubt furious he had missed out on one of the hottest prospects in World football. But Wenger kept himself to himself, and moved in for other targets.

The final decision on a move is down to the player and of course his parents, and the Özyakup family clearly felt the move suited them. Arsenal have since found them housing, as well as both his mother and father well paid jobs in London. Oguzhan will be attending college on a regular basis, meaning we have all aspects of his development taken care of.

We are well known for going about our business in a respectful manner, with various sides issuing statements praising our conduct. The opposite can be said for Manchester United and Chelsea, who have both been criticised in recent weeks for signing young players in a disrespectful way.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Following several e-mails requesting a guide to Arsenal’s pre-season plans, i have assembled this complete report detailing the aspects of our return to action. Once the Gunners return to training next month, Arsène Wenger often uses this period to look at the younger playing staff, and this year promises to be no different.

The Arsenal Reserves and Under 18’s went back to light training this week, but were missing some of the boys who have been in action for their countries. Fran Mérida and Kieran Gibbs are in the Czech Republic for the Under 19 European Championships, and will be given most of the summer to relax after its completion.

The first team are back on July 7th, Pedro Botelho and Francis Coquelin will both be present, along with a few other selected young players. Vito Mannone and Aaron Ramsey will also be taking part in this session, along with the likes of Mark Randall and Jay Simpson.

Up next is the schedule the teams will follow. First is the usual trip to our Reserves stadium to play hosts Barnet, in a game which usually sees many of the Reserves take to the field. Then the first team travel to the Austrian training camp, one or two young players always fly out with them, Mark Randall and Armand Traoré have been the lucky two featuring in the past years.

The Stuttgart game could see the odd young player feature, before the Emirates Cup begins. Carlos Vela has been told he will make his debut against Juventus, and a whole host of youngsters will play some part over the two days. Huddersfield should be another game packed with Reserves, before the Amsterdam Tournament.

So an exciting and interesting pre-season in prospect, you can see the full list of every game the teams will be playing below. Match previews and reports will be available for every game in which the Reserves players feature, as we build up to the start of the new season.

Date – Venue – Team – Television Channel

July 19 – Away – Barnet – Arsenal TV/Setanta Sports
July 20 – The squad flys out for Austrian training camp
July 22 – Away – Szombathelyi – Arsenal TV
July 28 – Away – Burgenland XI – Arsenal TV
July 29 – The squad flys to German city of Stuttgart
July 30 – Away – VfB Stuttgart – Arsenal TV
July 31 – Away – Rushden & Diamonds – None
Aug 1 – The squad flys back to England For Emirates Cup
Aug 2 – Home – Juventus – Skysports
Aug 3 – Home – Real Madrid – Skysports
Aug 6 – Away – Huddersfield – Arsenal TV
Aug 7 – The squad flys out to Holland for Amsterdam Tournament
Aug 8 – Away – Ajax – Skysports
Aug 9 – Netural – Sevilla – Skysports
Aug 10 – Squad flys back to England
Aug 12 – First team season begins
TBA – Away – Crawley Town – None
TBA – Away – Southend United – None
Aug 31 – Reserves & Youth season begins

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal have rewarded the progress of nine of clubs home grown prospects, by granting them scholarships for the coming season. A further three “bought in” players have also been given terms.

Liam Brady and David Court made the decisions last January, but all the parties involved took place in a photo-shoot at the Emirates last week. Although eight players have put pen-to-paper, Ahmed Abdulla was also offered terms, but failed to give an indication in time. Arsenal subsequently replaced him with Gillingham striker Luke Freeman. You can see a full list of the players awarded scholarship terms below.

The contracts state that the boys will en-role at a local college, meaning they will still gain an education despite being in training full time. They will now also receive a wage.

Home Grown Players

* Jack Wilshere
* Emmanuel Frimpong
* Cedric Evina
* Conor Henderson
* Oliver Nicholas
* Sam Byles
* Jason Banton
* Rhema Obed
* Roarie Deacon

New Signings

* Luke Freeman
* Ignasi Miquel
* Oguzhan Ozyakup

The photos of the presentation will be published in the official Arsenal magazine, sometime before the start of the season. You can read more about our new scholars in our Player Profile section.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Regular blog readers will know Young Guns has a close relationship with Carlos Vela News, and our very good friends have come up with a spectacular exclusive picture. It shows the 19 year old posing with the famous red and white shirt at Houston international airport.

The photo was snapped by a fan, who spotted the Arsenal starlet as he was leaving the terminal after playing and scoring for Mexico against Belize two weeks ago. Vela was handed the shirt and asked for a picture, and of course he duly obliged. We have it on good authority he even kissed the logo. Nice job Carlos!.

Excellent work from everybody involved, you can view the photograph by clicking the thumbnail below.

Article By – J.Sanderson

The race to sign Portuguesa’s highly rated Brazilian striker Diogo Luis Santo has become a two team affair, after the São Paulo based side confirmed they have received another offer for his services.

Arsenal have had two previous bids rejected, and the latest approach from an unnamed Italian side, has suffered the same fate.

“So far the best offer has been from an Italian side,” proclaimed Portuguesa director Andre Heleno

“They have bid around £9 million, but we want closer to £11 million.”

The clubs president Manuel da Lupa admitted the Gunners long-term interest three months ago, and claims they have twice turned down Arsenal’s advances. South American scout Sandro Orlandelli is keeping Steve Rowley updated with the situation, but Lupa already has a plan in place to generate more cash for their prize asset.

“We want Diogo to play in the Brazilian league until the end of the year, reach the national team, and increase his value.”

Many regard Diogo as one of the brightest prospects currently in Brazil, and is already been hyped up as “the new Alexandre Pato”. At 182cm, he is not only a skillful, intelligent forward, but also excellent in the air. He notched 18 goals in his debut season, and a further 22 strikes last campaign.

It is expected he will partner the Milan forward Pato at the forthcoming Olympic football tournament, where scouts from all over Europe will be monitoring the tricky striker.

It is currently unknown if Arsenal would return and match the asking price, but should this happen Diogo’s representative, Rodrigo Righetti, says he would favour a switch to London.

“Diogo would love to play for Arsenal. But for now, he must wait for an offer that suits both the club and himself.”

Unless a “Special talent” visa application would be accepted, he would not be able to claim the required work permit. This would mean he would have to be loaned to Spanish link side Salamanca, and with no players currently signed to send there next season, the possibility of his signing increases.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Pedro Botelho has broken his silence on his switch to Arsenal, while also admitting he is still ‘left in the dark’ about where he will be playing his football next term. Pedro spoke to Salamanca daily “El Adelanto” and courtesy of our friends at Hala Union forums, we can bring you a transcript of what the Brazilian said.

He talked openly about subjects such as:

• Reports That He Wants To Leave Salamanca
• His Plans For Next Season
• His Tough Start At Salamanca & How Is Development Is Progressing
• The Long Bus Rides To Fixtures
• Returning To Arsenal For Pre-Season
• The Possibility Of Playing For A La Liga Club Next Season

Read more →

Marseille play-maker Samir Nasri HAS finalised his transfer to Arsenal, despite claims from his agent to the contrary. France Football sent a journalist to investigate, after the statement confirming Samir’s switch appeared on his website, before being taken down this evening.

They soon discovered the website is owned and run by Nasri’s father, who takes charge of Samir’s commercial aspects off the pitch. The journalist claims he talked with Nasri senior, who admitted the deal is completed and will be formally announced by both parties tomorrow. He then called popular sports radio station RMC, and relayed this latest update to it’s listeners.

It appears news reached his father, who promptly added the information to his website. But then realised both sides wished to keep the deal quiet, and announce it together, which is due to take place on Tuesday afternoon.

Eagle eyed Young Guns reader Alex spotted pictures of the player on the Arsenal.com server, and after they were posted here, were quickly removed. Is a potential cover up taking place? it seems so.

Nasri’s agent is Jean-Pierre Bernes, a name which will send shivers down the spine of manager Arsène Wenger.

Bernes and Wenger have a much published history, as the agent was convicted of corruption in French football after being caught paying players to throw matches. JP was the Marseilles managing director at the time, and his actions prevented Wenger’s Monaco side from winning the league title.

When the Gunners boss found out, he refused to even speak with Bernes, and the pair have held a hostile relationship since. It was JP who quickly jumped out this evening saying “he has not signed, he has not signed”, another opportunity to have a dig at his old foe.

Samir is expected to wear the number 8 shirt, but more details will be known tomorrow afternoon.

Article By – J.Sanderson, With Thanks To Thomas From ArsenalLover

Samir Nasri has put pen-to-paper on a four year contract with Arsenal this afternoon, according to Marseille based news wire La Provence, and the players official website.

As Young Guns told you yesterday, Nasri flew in on Thursday afternoon following France’s elimination from Euro 2008, with a medical examination taking place on Friday. The final details were not completed in time for confirmation to be granted during that day, and with Arsenal.com not operating over the weekend, it has dragged on.

But eventually the news has been released this afternoon, initially on Samir’s official website. A statement read:

“We inform you that Samir won’t be an Olympique de Marseille player next season and that he has signed a four-year contract with London club Arsenal,”

It is understood he will wear the number 8 shirt, and both clubs will formally announce things during tomorrow afternoon. Due to the high level of hits on the website since the news broke, SamirNasri.fr has since gone offline, but as the day dies down should be reinstated.

Update – The website is back online, with the Arsenal name next to the “next match” icon.
Update 2 – Arsenal.com has added pics of Nasri to the server. Picture One – Picture Two

Cheers Alex for spotting those.

The transfer saga looks to have finished.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal have confirmed the official squad numbers for the coming campaign, with Carlos Vela collecting the number 12 shirt, and new signing Aaron Ramsey 16. Manuel Almunia has taken the number one jersey, with third choice Vito Mannone receiving his 24.

Number 8 is expected to be given to Samir Nasri following the completion of his transfer, but the numbers 14, 18, 23, 28, and 29 all remain vacant. Once the Carling Cup begins in September, more numbers will be assigned to the younger players who participate.

So, now we have the kits and the numbers, who will you be getting on your strip and why?

Article By – J.Sanderson