Month: September 2008

Arsenal have joined a world wide hunt for talented American forward Charles Renken, dubbed ‘The New Freddy Adu’ after being impressed with the youngster following a trial period.

Renken, 14, is considered at the biggest prospect in the USA at the moment with many believing he will bypass the MLS and head straight to Europe in the next 18 months. He has already had trials with the Gunners along with Reading and 1860 Munich, with all three club’s thoroughly delighted with his progress.

Charles was formally called Bimbe and lived outside Kalingalinga in Zambia, but was adopted by an American family when he was 9-years-old. His child hood was very difficult – his early days in football began with him stitching footballs to make a living.

However, he has since thrived playing for a football team called Scott Gallagher, and has scored goals in Nike trials leading to a scholarship to the Bradenton soccer school. Renken is an avid Arsenal fan who buys DVD’s of the Gunners games and makes it a huge part of his day studying how Wenger’s men play.

The whole of America is going crazy over his talents which sees him average a goal a game in every fixture he plays, something his Under 9 side had the pleasure of. They had never won a competitive game until Charles joined them, with the youngster in their ranks they never lost again.

With his mix of raw power, athleticism, vision, pace and terrific technical abilities, he fits the bill of a perfect Arsenal player. At just 14 he is already in the US Under 17 side and is tipped to be a full international before his 17th birthday.

After coming from very poor surroundings Renken is very appreciative of the life he has now, fully in the knowledge that 70% of the people from his village are under the poverty line. He still keeps in contact with his mother via a mobile telephone, and is known to get very emotional when speaking about his past up bringing.

The scramble for his signature is set to be concluded in the next 12 months, Liam Brady has offered him another trial anytime he is next in England, with the drive and determination to achieve set to see the electric front-man become a future star.

Article By – J.Sanderson – With Thanks To Sam

Injuries and bad luck are almost common place at Arsenal, but whilst the likes of Tomáš Rosický and Robin van Persie are often highlighted for their poor fitness records, one young Gunner steals the ‘crown’ from the first team duo.

Versatile midfielder Nicholas Yennaris is rated as one of the more promising players in the Under 16’s, but his rise to prominence has seen the Londoner miss large parts of his development with injury. The half Greek half Chinese youngster is currently missing from action and is not expected to play again this campaign after a groin problem during a pre-season clash against Manchester United.

Nico was stretchered off during the 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium in June, with fears his injury could be career ending. Physios later decided he could continue playing on but Yennaris is doubtful to perform again this season – leading to reports that he could be released.

However, Liam Brady and Roy Massesy have shown faith with the hard working starlet who will be aiming to earn himself a scholarship on his return next year. In the brief amount of football the 15-year-old has played Nico has shown great form – including captaining the Gunners to the final of the Willem II tournament two summers ago.

He also played a cameo role as Steve Gatting’s Under 16’s won the Atalanta Cup three months ago and is one of the most popular members currently in the Hale End Academy. Yennaris is not only an incredibly likable guy but his commitment to the cause is also remarkable despite several setbacks in his attempts to make a career for himself in football.

Being with Arsenal is probably the best thing that could have happened to Nicholas with all the experience the medical staff have, coupled with the excellent facilities at both Hale End and London Colney.

Tests of chartacter are nothing new for players on the road to success, so expect to see Nicholas Yennaris back on the pitch next season, ready and raring to go.

Article By – J.Sanderson

After becoming the youngest player to ever take to the field in the Premier League for Arsenal on Saturday, Jack Wilshere‘s profile is rising every day – so much so Italian Sports agency Pasqualin D’Amico are keen to add the diminutive play-maker to their prestigious clientele.

Pasqualin D’Amico are the biggest sports agency in Italy and boast clients such as Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Del Piero, Massimo Donati, Francesco Toldo, Nuno Gomez and the Giovinco brothers, Giuseppe and Arsenal target Sebastian.

Whilst the company is Italian based, owners and F.I.F.A licensed agents Claudio Pasqualin and Andrea D’Amico also have a number of players who have played in England on their books, including Mark Viduka, Thomas Helveg, Samuel Dalla Bona and Lorenzo Amoruso.

Wilshere, still only 16, caught the eye during the summer playing in the Atalanta Cup, a competition the Gunners Under 16’s won on penalties. Jack walked away with the Player Of The Tournament prize and impressed the locals with his creative instincts.

Just four months later he is now a first team player for Arsenal and quickly becoming a favourite amongst fans are pundits alike, something P&D are keen to capitalised on.

The fact a non-Italian has been offered the chance to be represented by one of the best agency’s in the world is fantastic on it’s own, but as Wilshere is just 16 and still a scholar it’s even more impressive.

Article By – J.Sanderson & Gooner Chris

Two draws from their opening two fixtures has seen UD Salamanca’s promotion challenge falter at the first hurdle, but this afternoon The Union had an an opportunity to notch their first win of the season at home to CD Xerez.

Arsenal loanees Pedro Botelho and Havard Nordtveit have had mixed starts to the campaign, Nordtveit has only played two minutes via the bench, whilst Pedro has started and impressed in every game. However, after the Brazilians hand ball in the final moments against Sevilla B last week, he joined Havard on the substitutes bench for the clash with an unbeaten Xerez.

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Whilst Arsenal’s Under 18’s suffered the disappointment of a 1-1 draw to Coventry at London Colney on Saturday, Steve Gatting’s Under 16’s got revenge on the Sky Blues by thrashing them 4-2 at Hale End.

Summer signings Ignasi Miquel and Oğuzhan Özyakup made starts in arguably one of the most feared Under 16 teams in the country, which boasted England Under 16 new boys Chuks Aneke and Joshua Rees. Captain Benik Afobe was also named in that squad, he would be given the task to lead the line against a physical City side.

A double from Afobe set the young Gunners well on their way to the victory, before further strikes from Jernade Meade and Oğuzhan Özyakup made the win safe. Coventry always looked a threat and found a way past Charlie Mann on two occasions, but the win always seemed assured.

It finished 4-2, leaving many of these youngsters knocking on Steve Bould’s door ahead of forthcoming Academy fixtures.

Article By – J.Sanderson

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.

In this update you can read about the following players in the following games.

Reports:

Nacer Barazite – Derby 2-1 Sheffield United (45 Minutes)
Armand Traore – Portsmouth 2-1 Middlesbrough (84 Minutes)
Kerrea Gilbert – Leicester 0-1 Millwall (34 Minutes)

Previews:

Havard Nordtveit & Pedro Botelho – UD Salamanca V CD Xerez

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Arsenal’s Under 18’s dropped their first points of the Academy League campaign this afternoon with a 1-1 draw at home to Coventry City.

Gunners boss Steve Bould has been critical of his sides performances in recent weeks, and as we unfortunately hinted in our Match Preview, they were finally found out against a well organised and tenacious Coventry outfit.

Three wins from three games meant Arsenal were top of Group A and very much the team to beat at this level. City had four points from two games but arguably had come up against stronger opposition so far.

Nerves were finally settled as captain Jay Emmanuel-Thomas crashed the hosts into the lead, but despite having chances to further extend the advantage, the visitors remained solid determined to keep the scoreline at 1-0.

However, The Sky Blues would manage to notch the equaliser through free scoring hit-man Callum Wilson, his second in as many fixtures. The effort would not only rescue a point, but stopper James Shea would yet again lose his clean sheet.

Things do not get any easier for the youngsters, they face a trip to Reading next weekend.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Brazilian midfielder Carlos Luciano da Silva ‘Mineiro‘ was in action for an Arsenal XI on Wednesday afternoon as the Gunners beat London rivals Fulham 3-0 in a behind closed doors friendly.

The fixture was arranged for manager Arsène Wenger to give the 33-year-old World Cup winner a run out as he is a free agent after being released by Hertha Berlin, and he clearly impressed playing alongside James Dunne in the centre of the park.

Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners with Rui Fonte, Jay Simpson and the aforementioned Dunne all on target, restoring some confidence after a 7 game unbeaten run was ended to Chelsea two weeks ago.

Mineiro will now be assessed by Wenger and Reserves boss Neil Banfield who took charge of the game, however, in the mean time he will continue to train with the second string while the first team are at Blackburn later today.

It is understood that Birmingham have offered the experienced midfielder a two year contract, but with City only playing in the Championship, the diminutive hard man would prefer to play top flight football. A decision is expected before next Wednesday, meaning he could feature for the Reserves against Portsmouth should the management wish to have a second look.

The experience he possess will be sure to have rubbed off on some of the prospects here.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal, once a Club criticised for their lack of English talents, have completed an England hat-trick this week.

Firstly, No less than four players impressed for the Under 19’s on Tuesday, then Theo Walcott hit a stunning treble against Croatia at full International level, and now star striker Benik Afobe has joined two other young Gunners in the Under 16’s squad for the forthcoming Victory Shield.

At Under 16’s level the Gunners have provided the FA with often 5-6 members of a 20 man squad, but whilst for this tournament only three are named, they are all expected to feature heavily for Kenny Swains outfit. Free scoring hit-man Afobe is the star name in the squad, but giant midfielder Chuks Aneke and fleet footed winger Josh Rees make up a strong Arsenal contingent.

The competition, given it’s full name, The Sky Sports Victory Shield, is a tournament which brings together the best Under 16 players from throughout Great Britain, meaning Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will do battle to try and wrestle the crown from England.

They open against Northern Ireland on October the 3rd, a difficult baptism for the Lions – where Jason Banton’s late strike appeared to have won the game last time these two met, until a last gasp equaliser. Emmanuel Frimpong and Sam Byles join Banton in possessing winners medals, and this current crop of prospects are likely to follow suit.

As you may have guessed, Sky Sports show all of the games live on television – giving many fans a first look at the stars of tomorrow. Young Guns will be watching on and offering reports on the progress of the boys, and hopefully helping find ways for fans outside the UK to watch.

The call up comes after a fantastic season last year for Benik, where he bagged 40 goals in 33 appearances for the Under 16’s. He also scored the winner against Marseille in the Zinédine Zidane Tournament last week, which could see him selected for the Under 18’s this weekend after an injury to Sanchez Watt.

Article By – J.Sanderson