Loanees – Simpson Scores Again & Fonte Makes Debut

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.

Arsenal currently have twelve Reserve team players gaining experience elsewhere. Armand Traoré and Jay Simpson remain in the top flight with Portsmouth and West Brom respectively, whilst Gavin Hoyte, Nacer Barazite and Rui Fonte are playing Championship football for Watford, Derby County and Crystal Palace.

Further down the divisions, League One sides Leicester City and Northampton Town have Kerrea Gilbert and Paul Rodgers, while fellow defenders Abu Ogogo and Rene Steer will ply their trade with League Two Barnet and Gillingham. Two prospects are cutting their teeth aboard – Vincent van den Berg at Dutch minnows FC Zwolle, and Pedro Botelho with Spanish link club UD Salamanca.

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

Reports:

Jay Simpson – West Brom 2-2 Hull City – (90 Minutes)
Armand Traoré – Portsmouth 0-1 Fulham – (63 Minutes)
Gavin Hoyte – Watford 1-3 Wolves – (58 Minutes)
Rui Fonte – Crystal Palace 0-1 Blackpool – (45 Minutes)
Nacer Barazite – Derby County 2-1 Coventry – (62 Minutes)
Kerrea Gilbert & Paul Rodgers – Leicester 2-1 Northampton – (90 Minutes)
Abu Ogogo – Barnet 1-2 Exeter – (Unused)
Rene Steer – Gillingham Town 1-0 Chester City – (Unused)

Jay Simpson – West Brom 2-2 Hull City

Jay Simpson’s loan move to West Brom is proving to be one of the signings of the transfer window so far. The 20-year-old kept his place in the starting lineup this afternoon as the Albion took on Hull City.

Both sides were nervous right from the offset, but it was Simpson who broke the mould after cutting inside and blazing an effort inches wide. That proved to be the most exciting action of the opening period, until Hull sprang into life just before the break.

Bernard Mendy then found himself through on goal, and after rounding a stranded Scott Carson, he applied the crucial finish to put the Tigers in front. The second half brought a barrage of City attacks, before Simpson punished Hull’s poor finishing.

His left footed finish on 53 minutes set up an exciting climax. Hull managed to regain their dominance and took the lead via Craig Fagan on 69 minutes, but moments after, Chris Brunt hammered home a penalty after Kamil Zyatte fouled Rob Koren. It was always destined to be a draw.

Armand Traoré – Portsmouth 1-3 Fulham

Armand Traoré made his second consecutive start as Portsmouth took on Fulham at a bouncing Craven Cottage.

Pompey started the brighter. Mark Schwarzer was forced into an early stop to deny Kanu following Traoré’s left wing cross, and then it was Kaboul’s turn to go close after Pennant’s corner.

However, despite all the pressure being provided by the visitors, Fulham took the lead through Andy Johnson. The second half brought more action, and Portsmouth were dreadfully unlucky not to have a spot kick after Nugent was flattened by Paintsil.

Armand was pulled off on 63 minutes, and 10 minutes later, it was 2-0. Erik Nevland took full advantage of shocking defending to finish Pompey off. Nevland added another to complete the misery, before David Nugent bagged a late consolation.

Nacer Barazite – Derby County 2-1 Coventry

Nacer Barazite was handed his second consecutive start as new boss Nigel Clough looked to kick on and claim an important three points against Coventry.

The Rams flew out of the traps, and within 14 minutes they had something to show for it. Barazite teed up Teale, his cross was crashed home by Rob Hulse.

Nacer and Commons had further opportunities to double the lead, before the latter did two minutes after the opener.

County fans were desperate for the 3rd to come to seal the result, and the longer it took, the more Coventry grew in confidence. Their worry was well placed. On 53 minutes Michael Doyle reacted quickest to Bywater’s spilled save to half the deficit.

Barazite was withdrawn on 62 minutes, and Derby managed to hold on to take the three points.

Rui Fonte – Crystal Palace 0-1 Blackpool

Rui Fonte – signed by Crystal Palace on a months loan yesterday – was thrown straight into the squad for Palace’s visit of Blackpool.

The Eagles got off to a perfect start when Blackpool ‘keeper Paul Rachubka was dismissed for a clumsy late challenge. But Neil Warnock’s side failed to kick on and take full advantage of the situation, and on 41 minutes, DJ Campbell put the visitors in front.

With Crystal Palace in need of a goal, Rui Fonte was drafted on at half time in place of Sean Derry. Rui looked quite lost at times, and had only one snap shot to mark his Palace debut with.

Gavin Hoyte – Watford 1-3 Wolves

Gavin Hoyte started for Watford as they looked to hold back Wolves’ promotion challenge and maintain some good recent form.

The kick off was delayed by 10 minutes, and it seemed to affect Watford more than Wolves. The Hornet’s have looked a much better side in recent weeks, but that all went to pot when awful defending allowed Sylvain Ebanks-Blake to continue his empathic scoring run.

Watford tried to push for the equaliser, but were punished on the break with Andy Keogh sealing the win. Hoyte was subbed off on 58 minutes after picking up a yellow card.

Watford fought back when Adrian Mariappa scrambled a late goal back, but it wasn’t enough. Matt Jarvis set up Sam Vokes to complete the win.

Kerrea Gilbert & Paul Rodgers – Leicester 2-1 Northampton

Kerrea Gilbert’s Leicester City took on Paul Rodgers’ Northampton Town this afternoon, but Paul would not go up against his Arsenal team mate after being sent off in midweek.

Gilbert was called into action early on – kicking Billy Clarke’s shot off the line. Northampton kept up the pressure though, and Rodgers’ replacement Jason Crowe struck a surprise opener.

5 minutes later Steve Howard levelled from the penalty spot, before Lloyd Dyer put the Foxes ahead in the second period.

Abu Ogogo – Barnet 1-2 Exeter

Abu Ogogo returned from injury to be named on Barnet’s bench for their fixture with Exeter City.

The opening 45 minutes saw a tug-of-war effect, as Craig McAllister’s opener was cancelled out by 41-year-old Paul Furlong. However, Exeter kept motoring on, and Matt Gill managed to bag the winner on 73 minutes.

Rene Steer – Gillingham Town 1-0 Chester City

Rene Steer was again left on the Gillingham bench this afternoon. The left back is yet to get any minutes in the three games since completing his month loan move.

Steer was again unused as Gillingham scraped a 1-0 win through Andy Barcham.

Article By – J.Sanderson