Month: July 2009

Sony Ericsson are official sponsors of the FIFA World Cup 2010™ in South Africa. To support this sponsorship, Sony Ericsson are launching a fantastic promotion. The ‘Golden Ticket’ promotion will run from 1 August – 30 September.

Young Guns has joined forced with Sony Ericsson and FIFA to offer you the opportunity to win a brand spanking new Sony Ericsson W995 walkman mobile phone. All you to have to do is read the question below, and send your answers to the e-mail address at the bottom of the page.

Question: To the closest single digit, how many goals did Arsenal score there in their Reserves and Youth campaign?

We’re looking for the closest number, to the single digit, of the combined total of goals. This does not include friendlies, it only applies to Reserves League South fixtures, F.A Academy Premier League and F.A Youth Cup fixtures. Own goals not included. Send your answers to: youngguns.wordpress@googlemail.com. Or click below.

Click Here To E-mail Us Now

If you’re the lucky winner, we’ll be in contract to arrange the shipping of your phone. However, that’s not the end of it. If you are the lucky winner of the handset, all you have to do , is enter your details at www.WinTheTickets.co.uk, including the IMEI number and you’re in the draw! The prizes for the customers are:

Grand Prize: 1 x 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Golden Ticket
The Ronaldo of footy prizes, this golden ticket entitles the winner to a pair of tickets to every game their country plays – including the final. This once in a lifetime prize includes flights and 4-star accommodation are included.

Weekly Prizes: 2 x pairs of tickets to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™
Winners will see the drama unfold. Each week we’re giving away two pairs of tickets to a 2010 FIFA World Cup™ match. Flights and three nights in 4-star accommodation are included.

Daily Prizes:1 x Sony BRAVIA TV
Every day a stylish 40-inch Sony BRAVIA TV will be won so fans can follow all the action live for edge of the sofa viewing.

Article By – J.Sanderson

England continued their Under 19’s campaign today with a semi-final against France. Henri Lansbury managed to shake off any ill-effects of his previous game against Slovenia and started along with Rhys Murphy, who obviously impressed enough in his last outing, despite not scoring. Gavin Hoyte had to make do with a place on the bench.

France started the game as far the better side, and were ahead within 8 minutes. Brahimi, one of France’s players of the tournament, whipped in a corner which was gratefully swept in by an unmarked Magaye Gueye. England had a really tough job on their hands, and France seemed to be doing everything possible to break-up any of their play, in a particularly scrappy first half. The French soon started collecting yellow card after yellow card, which they ended up regretting. Although England had yet to create any chances of note, in Henri Lansbury they have one of the best young players in the world and it wasn’t long until he was given an opportunity to star. One of France’s constant niggling fouls gave England a freekick. Drinkwater could only hit the wall with his effort, but when the rebound landed at Henri’s feet he made no mistake, rifling the ball into the bottom corner from some 20 yards. This goal marked Lansbury’s third in three matches and he certainly stood out once again from the Three Lions.

The Second half started with France trying to take the lead again, but England soon stamped their dominance with Henri twice denied by France Keeper Pillot. The pressure began to show as the French players’ discipline began to wear away, minutes after Young Gun Rhys Murphy was subbed off, Corchia was sent off for his second yellow. However, England couldn’t translate this numerical advantage into more goals and had to face Extra Time.

But as they entered the additional 30 minutes, their persistence was rewarded. Aston Villa’s Delfouneso was at hand to tuck away a Joe Mattock effort which was palmed out into his path. Slightly more than 10 minutes later, Delfouneso secured the victory with a lovely goal. He embarked on a jinking run that saw him skip past the last defender and the keeper before slotting away calmly. There was still time for two more French players, El Kaoutari and Boudebouz, to be sent off, both for second yellows. At the death Henri almost made it four, hitting the woodwork from 25 yards out.

England will play either Serbia or the Ukraine in the Final on Sunday, with Lansbury sure to play a crucial role.

Meanwhile, their younger counterparts beat the Faroe Islands very convincingly in their second game of the Nordic Tournament. Six goals before half time more than wrapped up the points and, similarly to the Under 19’s performance against Slovenia, a disappointing Second Half only saw the young internationals score 2 more goals.

Josh Ress played 70 minutes of this fixture, while Nico Yennaris was an unused substitute. England will play their final group game on Friday evening at the Overlands Minde Stadium.

Watch Lansbury’s England Goal

Article By – Gianni Sonvinco

Arsenal have made their third raid of the summer on the Swiss League by adding FC Sion left back Elton Monteiro Almada to the captures of fellow defenders Martin Angha and Sead Hajrovic.

The 15-year-old powerhouse has already been in London for a trial over the summer and it now appears a deal has been struck which will see Elton complete the switch on his 16th birthday, which is in late February. Monteiro is a giant and imposing defender who has a great turn of pace and is solid in the air. He is also known to weight in with goals, something he’s done on handful of occasions for Sion’s Under 16 side.

Monteiro has been quickly promoted through the ranks at Sion as he’s been physically twice the size of most of the players in his age group. Elton was part of the side which was beaten by Martin Angha’s FC Zurich in the Nike Cup last year, and the pair will link up in a Swiss dominated Under 18’s over the coming seasons.

More to follow.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal have had a £1.5 million bid turned down for Juventude midfielder José Luis dos Santos Pinto, who is known simply as ‘Zézinho’.

The left footed starlet has made four appearances for Juventude’s first-team this campaign in the Brazilian Serie ‘B’. His performances saw him called up to the Brazil Under 17 national team for the South American tournament. Liverpool were then said to have wrapped up a deal to sign Zézinho but this was quickly dismissed.

A bid of £1.5 million has been made, but it was quickly rebuffed. Whether Arsenal return with another offer remains to be seen but with the deadline looming for the Gunners to send a player on loan to Salamanca, it’s likely this could be pushed through. However, Zézinho’s buyout clause is set at £35 million pounds.

You can view a video of the Brazilian scoring the second for his country against Paraguay below.

Watch Zezinho’s Goal For Brazil

In other news, England’s Under 17’s began the Nordic Tournament with a solid draw against Denmark after coming from behind to steal a point thanks to Arsenal’s Josh Rees.

An inexperienced England side travelled to Norway, but it did include two members of Steve Gatting’s Under 16’s in the form of Josh Rees and Nico Yennaris. There was little in the game during the early stages, but on 36 minutes Denmark went ahead following some poor defensive work. Niels Bisp Rasmussen found himself in space inside the area and headed home past Newcastle United ‘keeper Jak Alnwick

However England soon drew level, with Gunners’ schoolboy Rees getting the goal on the stroke of half time. Into the second half, the Three Lions looked most likely to score again, but couldn’t find the goal that would have given them an opening win.

They play again on Monday, against the Faroe Islands.

Article By – J.Sanderson & Gianni Sonvinco

Arsenal are in talks with Championship outfit Newcastle United over the sale of their highly rated Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul.

The 21-year-old Holland Under 21 International was regarded as one of the best goalkeeping prospects when he made the move from ADO Den Haag to Newcastle, but has struggled to break through. However, he has shone during loan spells with Falkirk and Carlisle and it now appears Arsène Wenger is ready to bring him back to the top flight and nurture his talents.

The 6 foot 2 inch stopper was scouted playing in the Under 17 European Championship for the Netherlands in Tuscany in May 2005, and after much speculation, Arsenal were edged to his signature by The Magpies. The 2007–2008 campaign saw Krul spend time on loan with Scottish side Falkirk where he made 22 appearances before a shoulder injury cut short his spell.

He returned to Newcastle last term but found Shay Given and Steven Harper tough prospects to overcome. Subsequently, on On the 21st of November he signed for League One Carlisle United where he made 9 appearances before returning in January as Given was sold to Manchester City.

Last month he penned a few four-year-deal with United despite their relegation from the Premier League, and celebrated the new contract by starring for the Dutch Under 21 squad that won the European Championships and also qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics. A strong, athletic and dominate ‘keeper, Tim recently admitted his desire to seek first team football.

Krul is expected to cost around £3 million pounds and would compete with Łukasz Fabiański, Vito Mannone and Wojciech Szczęsny to be Manuel Almunia’s understudy. You can see a video of his talents below.

Click Here To Watch Krul In Action

Article By – J.Sanderson

It’s finally here. Welcome to Young Guns’ inaugural Blogger Idol Final. Ben Jones, Nick Love and Nick Doherty have each had their final entries published. Read them all carefully and remember to check the criteria we asked for Here. When completed, visit the Blogger Idol section of the blog and vote for your winner. It couldn’t be simpler.

You have until midnight on Friday the 31st of July to get your votes before the poll will be closed. You may only vote once.

Ben Jones – ‘Tax Rise + Migration To La Liga Benefit Arsenal’

Nick Doherty – ‘Nordtveit Looking Forward To Nurnberg Move’

Nick Love – ‘Fran Or Jack To Be Thrown In At The Deep End?’

Article By – J.Sanderson

It’s finally here. Welcome to Young Guns’ inaugural Blogger Idol Final. Below is one of three articles from the finalists Ben Jones, Nick Love and Nick Doherty. Read them all carefully and remember to check the criteria we asked for Here. When completed, visit the Blogger Idol section of the blog and vote for your winner. It couldn’t be simpler.

You have until midnight on Friday the 31st of July to get your votes before the poll will be closed. You may only vote once.

Young Norwegian defender Håvard Nordtveit looks set to leave Lillestrøm where he is currently enjoying a successful loan spell, to join newly-promoted Bundesliga side Nurnberg on a season long loan in time for the new season.

Nordtveit told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet:

“German football would of course be a tremendous challenge for me, but I am enjoying myself at LSK. I know that Arsenal will make the right decision which is best for me and my career.”

The youngster has put in some impressive performances for the league strugglers and is gaining some invaluable experience playing every week and a good level, and under a former Premiership defender in Henning Berg. Lillestrøm will be sad to see Håvard depart for the Bundeslga and Berg added:

“We are in close contact with Arsenal and we all want the best possible solution for Håvard, we know that Arsenal are pleased how Havard’s development has been whilst he has been here.”

The Norway Under-21 international is thought to have a bright future in the game and has the potential to become one of the great Arsenal centre backs. After an unhappy loan spell at Spanish link club Salamanca, Nordtveit has enjoyed his spell at Lillestrøm and has become a regular starter for the side. However, a loan spell in a top European league, with a newly-promoted side who are expected to defend a lot, it could be a very important season for Håvard, and one where he will gain much more experience and hopefully will be able to express his quality on a bigger stage.

Article By – Nick Doherty

It’s finally here. Welcome to Young Guns’ inaugural Blogger Idol Final. Below is one of three articles from the finalists Ben Jones, Nick Love and Nick Doherty. Read them all carefully and remember to check the criteria we asked for Here. When completed, visit the Blogger Idol section of the blog and vote for your winner. It couldn’t be simpler.

You have until midnight on Friday the 31st of July to get your votes before the poll will be closed. You may only vote once.

Arsenal kicked off their short European tour on Tuesday, but faced a major dent in their preparation as the gifted Samir Nasri fractured his right fibula during training. Wenger was quick to play down the injury stating ‘It’s not a complicated one, it’s a simple one but it will take six weeks to heal’. Nonetheless, Wenger more than anyone knows the harm in rushing a player back from injury combined with the lack of pre season it looks certain that Samir will miss the opening fixtures of Arsenal’s campaign. However, ‘One man’s loss is another man’s gain’, and Nasri’s unfortunate situation will give an opportunity for another Gunner to gain a starting berth on the left side of midfield. This begs the question; who?

Andrei Arshavin has openly stated his preference to play off the main striker, Abou Diaby has never looked comfortable out wide, Wenger is yet to decide the future of Armand Traore, Vela is developing well as a striker and it will be a tall order for Tomas Rosicky to play consistently in his first few months back from an 18 month layoff. Step forward Jack Wilshere and Fran Merida, two exceptional, young players who have been flirting with the first team over the past year. With outstanding technical flair, goal scoring ability and most significantly, both have a natural left foot. The injury to Nasri has created a small, but realistic opportunity for the two young, ambitious playmakers to compete for their first competitive, senior start in the Premier League.

Fran Merida always seemed destined for Arsenal’s first team since his arrival from Barcelona in 2006. He swiftly developed through the youth and reserves before being sent out on loan to gain valuable experience. Fran attracted many fans along the way, most notably Wenger himself labelling him ‘an absolutely amazing talent’. Few players receive such privileged praise from the manager and a Premier League start looked inevitable in the not too distant future. However, unknown to the Arsenal faithful, whilst Fran was in Sociedad being groomed for the Arsenal first team an emerging gem was being nurtured in the shape of Jack Wilshere.

Jack and Fran are similar in ability and potential; both named in UEFA’s top ten rising stars, similar playing styles, confident performances in the Carling Cup and impressive cameo appearances in the Premier League. Despite their similarities, each player has their own claim for a first team start.

Fran is nearly two years older than Jack and gained valuable first team experience in the competitive Segunda División, helping Sociedad secure fourth spot. Fran was able to experience the rigours of first team football, the highs and lows, the dips in form and expectations of the fans. “Playing professionally is a new situation, one where you play in front of 25,000 people, one with pressure from press and fans every single week” Fran declared. This experience will certainly hold Fran in good stead for the demands of Premiership football, combined with his obvious ‘talent’, Fran may have out grown his stay in reserve team football.

Fran has thrived in the Spanish national team at U17 and U19 level, and is currently in Ukraine at the UEFA U19 Championships, perhaps a fundamental flaw in his progression with Arsenal. Despite his commendable dedication to the national side, for two seasons he has missed out on vital pre season training and possible first team action. Meanwhile Jack continues to rack up minutes in pre season and establish his name firmly in Wenger’s mind.

Jack’s breakthrough came with a stunning performance against West Ham for the reserves and a gleaming Arsene Wenger watched on as the 16 year old scored with an audacious effort. Consistently improving at a hasty rate Jack has been given the number 19 shirt for the forthcoming season. He has impressed so much so that Arsene Wenger has already recommended that Jack has the potential to reach the 2010 World Cup.

With the impending 6+5 rule, Arsenal may be more obliged to blood a young, talented Englishman plus the obvious positive ramifications with the Arsenal fans; a local lad lining up regularly on a Saturday. Wenger has hinted that Jack’s development will be similar to Theo Walcott, who when questioned about Jack added “He makes it look so easy when he plays and every time he gets the ball and does something he brings a smile to your face”, and like Walcott and Ramsey it will be unlikely that Jack goes out on loan, instead slowly developing in the first team. If this is the case it may be that Fran will have to head out on loan once again, preferably in the Premiership. However, Wenger is very wary of the physical demands of the Premiership and the affects it may have on Jack.

Although there may be alternatives to Jack Wilshere and Fran Merida on the left side of midfield, it is undeniable that both players have genuine ability to knock extremely hard on the first team’s door. With little to choose between the two youngsters it is possible that in the future they may play in the same team, but for the time being both are competing for a first team place. Jack’s performances over pre season may place him in pole position despite Fran’s experience abroad. Either way Wenger likes to throw his young protégés in at the deep end and it will be interesting who he will ask to swim first, Fran or Jack.

Article By – Nick Love

It’s finally here. Welcome to Young Guns’ inaugural Blogger Idol Final. Below is one of three articles from the finalists Ben Jones, Nick Love and Nick Doherty. Read them all carefully and remember to check the criteria we asked for Here. When completed, visit the Blogger Idol section of the blog and vote for your winner. It couldn’t be simpler.

You have until midnight on Friday the 31st of July to get your votes before the poll will be closed. You may only vote once.

An interesting article on the FourFourTwo website this week revealed that Jermaine Pennant’s move to Real Zaragoza has rewarded the former Young Gun with a £40k a week contract. Surprising, this is a figure that works out to roughly the same wage as a player earning £80k a week here in the EPL –Thanks to the British governments new 50% tax bracket. You can read the article here.

Now, I believe that puts him in the same company as Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie in terms of wages. So a player with a fraction of Cesc’s ability gets the same wage. Sound fair? No, It’s absolutely mental!

This whole situation has consequences on Arsenal’s future ability to attract and keep top class players. Good news is that Arsenal won’t be alone in facing this challenge – Everyone barring Man City you’d think. Wenger, a man of high economic understanding responded to questions about the recent domination of the EPL in Europe, saying…

“Don’t worry, that time will soon be over, because with the new taxation system, and the collapse of Sterling, the domination of the Premier League on that front will go. That is for sure. It will be a financial problem for all the English clubs.”

You don’t have to have Arsene’s knowledge of economic matters to understand that players by nature will choose destinations where they can maximize their income. We all hate paying tax and would probably make a similar decision in our normal everyday lives. The truth is, teams will have to stump up even more money to keep their players in the EPL, otherwise La Liga will suddenly become a very appealing destination.

It may seem like its all doom and gloom but Arsenal are better positioned than any club to tackle this situation, and the reason why? Our ‘Young Guns’ of course.

In an interview given by Gilles Grimandi the Arsenal scout talks about our approach in tracking young players and gives some insight into the scouting network as a whole. The interview can be read here.

The curly haired legend touches upon an interesting point regarding the personal touch and assurances the club offer to both the players and their families during the recruitment process. I guess the signing of Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff epitomised this idea. When Manchester United were courting the youngster, they sent… wait for it… Gary Neville to speak to Ramsey and convince him that his future lies at Old Trafford. Arsenal? Well they flew Ramsey and his family first class to Switzerland to have lunch and a personal chat with Mr Wenger.

When Arsenal sign a youngster it’s done so with great consideration and it’s given the time it deserves by the highest rungs of the clubs hierarchy. Grimandi also had this to say…

“If young people are recruited, it is because one believes in their progression within the team. The trainer promises something to them which is realizable”

You can’t argue with that. It’s all about quality, not quantity with Arsenal. I certainly believe that the promises made to players and their families are going to be Arsenal’s greatest investment for the foreseeable future. That is of course, provided these promises are kept.

Building a team full of players that owe Arsenal a debt, a respect for the manager and who have grown to love the club, this is Arsenal’s best weapon against the silly amount of money going around. Its about creating an environment where loyalty can flourish.

Cesc and RVP are just the latest players that could have picked up more than double their current salaries elsewhere, but it’s the investment in these players as young men which has so far been critical in keeping them in the red and white.

Arsenal fans are now entering an exciting period in the clubs history. We are about to witness the first generation of players since Wenger took charge, that will complete the full development cycle by joining the club at the age of nine and going on to play first team football (Wilshire, Lansbury etc)

It’s been too long since Arsenal had their own Totti, Scholes or Maldini; players you could never see playing for any other club. Playing first team, for a club you’ve been at since the age of nine, surely you can’t have any more loyalty, love and respect for a club than that. Money becomes a side issue.

Seriously, could you imagine Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs having a contract dispute?

Ok, we were stung by Ashley Cole, but for Arsenal and our youth players it’s the best thing that could of ever happened. Obviously it has contributed towards the development of Clichy and now Gibbs, but even more importantly, any Arsenal youngster can look at Cole’s example and see that following money doesn’t always bring happiness; it also brings widespread derision and great nicknames like “Cashley” and “C**tly C**t.”

As teams are presented with the challenge of being expected to pay higher wages to compensate for the new tax hike, and stronger competition from Spain for the title of ‘Best League in the World,” teams will be forced to reassess and look at returning to a more sustainable model. Of course this starts by developing your own players at grass roots level, something that puts Arsenal in pole position.

Article By – Ben Jones