Month: September 2008

Jack Wilshere‘s promotion to the first team has captured the imagination of Arsenal fans world wide, but more importantly, his rise has restored the faith in the much talked about Youth system.

The media and fans have all spoken about the lack of English talents at Arsenal, and you can’t help but feel the constant negative comments have affected the stars of tomorrow. However, Wilshere’s emergence has not only restored the confidence of the coaching staff, but the players who have grown up around Jack are not just feeling the positive vibes, but are now even more determined to reach the Gunners first team.

Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong is another prospect regarded very highly by both club and country, and the 16-year-old  told Arsenal’s official website last week that Wilshere’s rise has had a positive effect on him, and also the players he leads as Under 16 captain.

“We are all encouraged by what Jack has done and he has inspired us all. We know that if we have the talent and apply it we will have a chance to make the most of it, and that is what I am driven to do.”

The current crop of Under 18 starlets promises to be the most fruitful to date, and with Steve Bould’s side now one of the most feared in the country, the development level has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. The levels of scholars going on to claim professional contracts has shot up in the past 3 campaigns, with last year seeing every single scholar penning pro terms.

The Academy has also helped establish the Arsenal brand all over the world. The Champions Youth Cup in 2007 firmly put the Gunners on the map in Malaysia. Success in the Atalanta Cup and Zinédine Zidane Tournament not only once more broke new ground for English teams, but helped market the club in already strong football areas of Italy and France.

Some of the best products in football can be find inside the Hale End system, and while it’s true many of them will not make the grade here, positivity around there rise can only help drive their talents and subsequently provide excellent options for club and country.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal striker Jay Simpson has put his future in the hands of manager Arsène Wenger, admitting he is happy to go with whatever the Frenchman decides is best.

Simpson was speaking after the Reserves 2-3 defeat against Chelsea, and a whilst he had said he didn’t want to play for the second-string again, Jay is willing to do anything to forge a career for himself with the club he supported as a boy.

“If the Boss would like me to go out on loan again this season then I will do. If he needs me to stay I’ll stay. Like everybody, I just want to play, especially after playing all of last year. But it’s down to him and I’m happy to be at Arsenal.”

Although the transfer window has shut, players can still be loaned out so it’s not yet certain that he will remain with the Gunners this season despite being handed the number 50 shirt, and being named in the Champions League Squad.

In other news, Arsenal defender Pedro Botelho has come out and spoken after his last moment handball cost Salamanca two points last night against Sevilla B. The 18-year-old was big enough to come and face the media after the fixture, and slammed the referee for making a decision which seemed harsh.

“We cannot do anything. We had the lead and the points and then a decision like that when we thought we had the job done, is hard to take. I did play the ball with my hand, but it was off a rebound, it was not intentional. Of course, i have no intention to give away a penalty.”

“The team controlled the game and we feel unhappy that the referee has removed us from such an important three points. It has been a major setback and maybe he [The Referee] does not understand the cost to the club.”

His captain Raul Gañán was close by and came out in full support for Pedro, also offering angry comments towards the officials.

“It was a huge blow because there was no intent. Botelho took the ball on his chest and then off his hand. The referee should not have pity on Sevilla, it was clear to me he had intentions to give them (Sevilla) a penalty all game.”

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal have added 20 Reserve and Youth players to the first team for the coming campaign, making them eligible to perform in any competition for Arsène Wenger’s side.

Of the 20, 3 players are currently away on loan spells, (Nacer Barazite, Armand Traore, Vincent van den Berg,) whilst other loanees Kerrea Gilbert and Havard Nordtveit have not been given numbers. Pedro Botelho has a contract with the club, but because he does not have a British visa – he cannot be registered.

Amaury Bischoff has been handed the number 28 shirt, but he has not been added to the Champions League squad. You can see the complete list below.

Key

First Team – White
Loanees – Red
Promoted Reserves – Yellow
** – Player Not Eligible For Champions League

Read more →

UD Salamanca surrendered there first three points of the new Spanish Segunda season this evening after a late penalty handed Sevilla Atlético (Sevilla B) a point at the Ciudad Deportiva José Ramón Cisneros Palacios stadium.

Arsenal loanees Pedro Botelho and Havard Nordtveit both travelled, with Pedro looking to carry his Man Of The Match form against Alaves into the second game of the campaign. Nordtveit was deemed not ready to feature last week but was included on the bench this evening, Botelho started at left back.

The Union began in an attacking manner and were boosted when young defender Óscar Ramírez was sent off for late tackles on Pedro and Dañobeitia. Salamanca failed to capitalise on the extra man advantage, and went into half time needing to regroup.

A better mentality was key to an improvement in quality, and when Marseille born midfielder Stephen Cohen glanced home, it seemed UDS has stolen the points.

Havard Nordtveit was introduced to help sure things up at the back, but a catastrophic error at the back would rescue a late point for the hosts. A mix up between Savo Seville and Pedro Botelho brought a handball and a penalty, with the Brazilians poor defensive awareness being exposed.

Spanish commentators claim the ball hit the hand of midfielder Seville, although Pedro was among those in a crowded box. Perroti stepped up and smashed home leaving manager David Armaral disappointed knowing his side can play much better.

Pedro completed another 90 minutes and will surly go away heeding more defensive advice from the coaches, but learning from your mistakes is key for any youngster. Nordtveit looks like he will struggle to earn a place in an established Salamanca team, but got two minutes under his belt this evening.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Sebastian Giovinco is set to walk out of Juventus in January after the bitter feud over his new contract escalated into a full blown row with the Turin outfit, and Arsenal are prepared to offer him a way out.

The Gunners have been tracking the play-maker since his star performances on loan at Empoli last season, but Giovinco has always maintained his desire to remain with his parent club. However, an argument has broken out over a new contract, with the player and his agent wanting a pay rise, which would see his wages reach £20,000 a week.

That fee has seen Juve baulk as he is only 21-years-old, but reports in the Italian press claim Arsène Wenger is more than happy to pay that for the prospect – who excelled at this summer Olympic Tournament.

The bitter row has split the fans who are undecided if they wish Sebastian to stay, as he is a fantastic talent, but also feel angry at his attitude towards the club. A petition was circulated around the Internet two months ago when it appeared that Claudio Ranieri had sanctioned his sale amid reports of a £5 million bid from Arsenal.

Yesterday the player himself came out and spoke following the latest batch of negotiations over a new deal, but after they broke down and winger Iago Falqué was signed, he reacted angrily when confronted with a new batch of questions.

“My renewal with Juventus is not a priority and to be honest I couldn’t careless whether the contract is renewed or not,’

‘My agent should be thinking about certain things and for now I know my future is with Juventus.I will accept Claudio Ranieri’s decisions regarding whether or not I play on the pitch.”

Relations between all the involved parties are at rock bottom, and a transfer away from The Old Lady seems imminent. Wenger is known to be a huge fan of the diminutive youngster who is likely to cost around €7.5 million Euros, but with the dispute dividing the club, that figure looks set to come down dramatically.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal Under 18’s retained there 100% record this morning with a 4-0 romp over Bristol City, meaning the Gunners retain their position at the top of the table.

The Champions faced a hard working and well organised Bristol side who were unlucky not to scrap out a point last time these two met. London Colney was the venue this time around, and the blustery Autumn conditions would make life difficult for the Gunners.

Steve Bould slammed the performance last week as the ‘worst he has seen’ at youth level, and in the early stages it seemed like it would be a similar story. However, into the second half they managed to kick on and provide some entertainment for the small crowd.

Sanchez Watt notched his second in as many games with 23 minutes left, before England youth forward Rhys Murphy bagged his first of the new season. The two strikes deflated the tired visitors, Conor Henderson and Gilles Sunu took full advantage to wrap up a comfortable victory.

Despite not making easy work of it, Bould’s boys sealed the vital win, made even more impressive as the performance was average. A sign of Champions is winning ugly, and the youngsters are certainly doing that – and remain on course to retain the Group A title.

There have been four goals in every Under 18’s game this season, fortunately this time non conceded.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal’s on loan striker Nacer Barazite was on target twice yesterday evening as Holland Under 19’s beat Scotland Under 19’s 5-0 ahead of the qualifying period for the UEFA Under 19 European Championships.

Nacer has only played 49 minutes since joining Championship strugglers Derby County last month, but appeared to be back to his brilliant best yesterday evening as the Dutch romped past an average looking Scotland. Barazite has had excellent form at Under 19 level, he came into the fixture with two goals from two games, including a strike on his debut against the Scots.

The 18-year-old claimed goals number one and four, Lucas van Oeveren, Marco Vejinovic and Kay Velda also netted in a comfortable rout.

The qualification rounds takes place next month, Nacer will be hoping to get valuable minutes for Derby before those internationals get under way.

Article By – J.Sanderson

The Arsenal Reserve team season has been boosted back to 18 fixtures after the Gunners agreed to play two friendlies against Championship sides Norwich and Birmingham City.

Reading Derby and Birmingham were all in Reserves League South last season, but were eventually relegated from the Premiership. West Brom, Stoke and Hull were all promoted, but Hull were deemed to be too far away to be included in the Southern division, meaning the season was reduced to 16 games.

Liam Brady has subsequently filled the gap with two friendlies, the first taking place on the 14th of October against Birmingham City at St Andrews. Tickets vary between £2-4 pounds, but a fantastic game is in prospect between the sides, with James Dunne scoring in a 2-1 defeat last year.

The second fixture takes place on the 18th of November. The Gunners will travel to Carrow Road for a 7.30pm kick off with Glen Roeder’s Canaries, who have withdrawn from the Football Combinations Reserve League, where they would be facing the likes of Grays Athletic.

It’s not yet known if Arsenal TV will be streaming the games, although Arsenal’s other second-string friendly encounter have not been broadcast.

Tuesday 14th October 2008

Birmingham City V Arsenal
St Andrews – Friendly
7.30pm

Tuesday 18th November 2008

Norwich City V Arsenal
Carrow Road – Friendly
7.30pm

Article By – J.Sanderson

Whilst the international break has stopped Arsenal’s first team from competing, the Gunners Under 18 side will take centre stage with a home clash against Bristol City tomorrow morning.

Two wins from two games puts Bould’s boys top of the table with a 100% record, whereas Bristol have had mixed fortunes. They have four points from there two fixtures, and are missing last seasons star performer in Tristan Plummer, installing Arsenal as firm favourites.

Bould missed out on the services of several first choice players last week, but with the Zinédine Zidane Tournament now over, and no Reserves games in the next week, the Under 18’s will be back at full strength.

Top scorer Luke Freeman returns and is expected to partner Rhys Murphy in attack, Kyle Bartley and Emmanuel Frimpong should also come back in, with Craig Eastmond returning to right back. Jay Emmanuel Thomas leads a midfield packed with goals – Gilles Sunu, Sanchez Watt and Jay himself bagged the strikes against Wolves last week.

James Shea will be aiming for a confidence boosting performance, the young stopper is yet to keep a clean sheet this term.

Shea
Eastmond – Bartley – Ayling – Cruise
Sunu – Frimpong – Thomas (c) – Watt
Murphy – Freeman

Jack Wilshere’s long range effort handed the Gunners a 1-0 win away from home last time out, that victory sealed the Academy League Group A title, and three points tomorrow would set the Young Guns well on there way to emulate that achievement.

Match Prediction – Arsenal 2-1 Bristol City

The encounter will not be shown live on Arsenal TV, but match highlights will be available on Wednesday evening. Should you not catch the game at London Colney tomorrow, a Match Report will be added shortly after full time.

Article By – J.Sanderson