Month: July 2009

England’s Under 19 team, and its Arsenal contingent, qualified with ease in the final group fixture of the European Under 19’s Tournament, while Francisco Merida’s Spain couldn’t manage to get the win needed to stay in the competition.

England played Slovenia in the late kick-off and had to win ensure progression. Early team news indicated that while Gavin Hoyte was dropped to the bench, Rhys Murphy got his first start of this Tournament.

Earlier on in the day, Fran Merida’s Spain, 5 time winners of the competition, had been unceremoniously dumped from proceedings by France. Les Bleus needed to win and this was seen in their early play, pressing Spain high up the pitch and causing their defence considerable problems. And so it was no surprise when they went ahead, lively left winger Brahimi cutting inside to slot home.

While many would have expected Merida to be the driving force in a Spanish come-back after his brilliant performance in the previous game, the Coach Luis Milla Aspar chose to withdraw Fran after 65 minutes, replacing him with striker Aquino. And this was how the young Spaniard’s tournament ended. Fran will no doubt be hoping to console himself by returning to the Arsenal fold as soon as possible, in order to build a good pre-season.

Unlike Merida and Spain, England’s young gunners had no trouble progressing. Murphy started up front and Lansbury played his third consecutive game. England were on the back foot initially, with Slovenia getting the first chance, however they were made to pay for missing. A neat move from England saw Arsenal’s Lansbury shoot into the top corner for the Three Lion’s opener. Henri then assisted both of the next two goals; his freekick was turned in by Briggs on the 19th, and his through ball being finished by Welbeck 6 minutes later. England continued going from strength to strength and made it 4 with Welbeck’s second and then 5 on 37 minutes. Delfouneso profiting from another Lansbury freekick. In between these two goals Jovic was sent-off for a reckless challenge on Henri, in what was a brilliant first half for the Arsenal midfielder.

With a 5 goal lead going into the second half England lost their impetus and Slovenia pulled a goal back early on, Dimitrov scoring their effort. However, a come-back never looked likely and Arsenal’s Murphy tested the keeper along with several other of his teammates. Worryingly for Arsenal and England, Lansbury was forced off on 64 after another robust challenge on him, Hoyte also came on at this point, but defending wasn’t a priority. Further chances came England’s way and it wasn’t long until they got their 6th, Delfouneso bagging his second. Indeed, they also go a seventh, Nile Ranger scoring what turned out to be the last goal of the game.

So it ended 7-1 to England, a record for the tournament, with Lansbury playing a crucial role and Rhys Murphy playing a dangerous full 90. Both England and Arsenal fans will be hoping the Henri is fit for the next round as England look to progress through the knock-out rounds.

Article By – Gianni Sonvinco

Pedro Botelho was presented to the Spanish media and then Celta Vigo fans on Saturday afternoon after completing the formalities of his season-long-loan move. After facing a barrage of questions, Botelho indicated his desire to return to Arsenal next summer but only after helping his new side to promotion to La Liga.

Pedro, who made 27 appearances for UD Salamanca last season, met with Arsene Wenger earlier this month to discuss the future after leaving The Union a month early following a spat with manager David Armaral. It was decided that the 19-year-old would head for pastures new for a third and final loan spell. Celta Vigo struck a deal and he completed the second part of a medial on Friday morning.

Despite a niggling thigh injury, he came through with flying colours and immediately lauded his new employers, before confirming his plans to begin his career with Arsenal ahead of the 2010-2011 campaign.

“First things first – Celta is a great team. This year they have signed very good players and I think we will be up there. The goal is to get promotion.”

“My personal goal is to have a fantastic year and for this to be my last year on loan. I have a huge desire to return to England and stay at Arsenal.”

Celta Vigo have raided Arsenal’s link club Salamanca for players Vasco Fernandes, David Català and Cristian Bustos along with Sporting Director Miguel Torrecilla. Torrecilla struck up a good relationship with Wenger and his hope is that the Gunners would ditch Salamanca and link up with Celta in the coming seasons.

Former Arsenal defender Sylvinho had a brief spell with Celta Vigo before moving to FC Barcelona, and naturally comparisons have been made between the two full backs. However, Pedro brushed aside these suggestions.

“Sylvinho is and was a great player who has won everything and I have a lot to do to become a player like him.”

Botelho has already flown out to be with his new team-mates as their begin their pre-season training.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal striker Carlos Vela was one of the star players as Mexico lifted their record 5th CONCACAF Gold Cup with a devastating 5 goal second half performance. Mexico played the hosts USA in front of a capacity 78,000 fans and the El Tri contingent were not left disappointed.

Carlos didn’t start the game, but as with the semi-final, the game came to life when he was subbed on. After a fairly even first 45, Aguirre obviously decided that the young Arsenal man was needed and on he came for Medina.

On 50 Minutes Vela got his first significant slice of the action, collecting the ball after a corner and crossing only for it to be cleared on the 6 yard line. But Mexico kept on coming and soon started to batter down the US’ normally watertight defence, and when Dos Santos was downed in the area, Torrado stepped up to put El Tri ahead.

From this point Mexico took complete control, and Vela had an effort saved before turning provider seconds later. The young striker was given far too much space and was able to run into the area before pulling it back to Sabah. While the tournament Top Scorer’s effort was saved, Dos Santos finished easily on the rebound.

And 5 minutes later, Vela had his goal. Giovanni Dos Santos, one of the best players of the afternoon, found his teammate and Carlos chipped the ball over the oncoming keeper with consummate ease. It seems the cheeky chip is somewhat of a trademark for Carlito!

Mexico and Carlos continued going from strength to strength, and in the 79th min Vela’s delightful through ball found Castro who slotted home. Late on in the match, Vela was involved in a more distasteful incident as Heaps was sent-off for a lunge on him, luckily Carlos was ok and if anything, this is just a sign of how frustrated the United States were getting with his quick feet. And Mexico continued to add insult to injury, with Franco scoring their fifth from outside the area!

So with one goal and two assists, Vela must be one of the contenders for Man of the Match. The official CONCACAF site called bringing on Vela a “masterstroke” and described Carlos himself as “sensational” and, along with Dos Santos, “a cut above the rest”.

While Vela must be thinking about what could have been if he’d played throughout the competition, Arsenal fans will be ecstatic to see a fit Vela coming back from the tournament and also to observe the devastating impact he can make from the sub bench.

Click Here For Video Highlights

Article By – Gianni Sonvinco

Arsenal’s Under 18’s finished third in this weekends Toomey Tournament after a 1-0 defeat to Southend ended their chances of winning the title. However, they made up for their lackluster performance on day one by thrashing Fulham 4-0 to secure a third place finish.

Day One – Arsenal 0-1 Southend

After Everton edged out Fulham in the early kick off, both Arsenal and Southend knew their potential final opponents. Steve Bould anticipated his side would reach the final so selected an under strength XI for the first fixture of the competition. There was a debut for Sean McDermott between the sticks while Roarie Deacon, Chuks Aneke and Benik Afobe made up a very young lineup.

Arsenal began well and nearly had the lead in the opening minutes. Conor Henderson forced former Gunner Daniel Bentley into a terrific one handed save before Luke Ayling should have scored after a lovely passing move by Bould’s boys. Luke Freeman then had an effort poked off the line, and as the visitors stepped things up, Roarie Deacon nearly opened his pre-season account. But the goal eluded Arsenal.

Benik Afobe and Ayling had further chances, but after the barrage of attacks, Southend sprung into action and snatched a surprise lead. Kyle Asante stormed his way through Ayling and Miquel to round McDermott and slip the ball into the net. It was the final action of the first-half.

The second period saw a quiet affair with Deacon having the only meaningful chance, but the day was always Southend’s.

Day Two – Arsenal 4-0 Fulham

Day two and game two brought an opportunity to put things right. Six changes saw Bould bring in James Shea in goal along with newly signed scholars George Brislen-Hall, Jernade Meade and Jordan Wynter. It was their first chance to impose themselves ahead of the new campaign and they did.

Conor Henderson and Luke Freeman had early chances before Meade should have scored from Brislen-Hall’s perfect pull back. At half time it seemed a similar story to game one may repeat itself but four unanswered goals proved otherwise.

Jamaican midfielder Wynter got things going when he turned home Meade’s delicate cross, and despite a brief rally from Fulham, Freeman pounced to make it 2-0. With 20 minutes left Cedric Evina rifled home from just inside the box for number three, and the rout was completed in the closing stages when Deacon’s pull back was met with force by Aneke’s right foot.

Everton clinched the Toomey Tournament trophy after beating Southend on penalties.

Article By – J.Sanderson

In the summer of 2002 Arsenal snapped up two promising Swiss defenders in the form of Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou. Now seven years later the Gunners have repeated that feat with the additions of Martin Angha and Sead Hajrovic.

Senderos arrived among interest from several big clubs, with Arsenal edging a bidding war for the then youngster – in a similar way to Martin Angha. Djourou however, was a relative unknown. He slipped into the Academy much like Hajrovic with the pair both representing Switzerland despite being born in a different country.

As both Philippe and Johan reach cross roads in their careers, Arsène Wenger welcomes his second batch of Swiss stoppers. Angha arrives from FC Zürich where he skippered their Under 16’s to Nike Cup success, and Hajrovic from FC Zürich’s fierce rivals Grasshoppers.

The pair have settled quickly in London and struck up a good friendship. Both are current Under 17 internationals for Switzerland, although the future may see Sead represent his native Bosnia. Martin won’t link up with the squad on a full time basis until the new year, but the 16-year-old’s represent an exciting central defensive partnership for the future.

Hajrovic provides the rugged and aggressive approach. He’s a physical and no nonsense central defender who is a monster in the air. Angha offers a calm and classy approach. Blessed with blistering pace, he is a solid tackler and can pick a good pass out from the back.

Arsenal fans should get a chance to check out the pair in action in the latter stages of next season’s F.A Youth Cup, where they will begin the fight for silverware with the club. It promises to be an exciting campaign with these two on board and with Senderos and Djourou as role models, they have been shown the route to the first-team.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Carlos Vela made his much anticipated return to football last night as Mexico progressed to the Final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on penalties.

The young Mexican came on in the 81st minute and seemed to bring the game for life. With the scores tied at 0-0, El Tri’s Guillermo Franco scored in the 88th minute, only for Costa Rica to equalise right at the death.

Extra time saw Vela show some flashes of brilliance, as well as some signs of his lack of match practice. He continually linked up well with fellow Premier League player, and long-time friend, Giovanni Dos Santos, but saw his one clear effort scuffed out for a goal kick.

And so it came down to the horror of a penalty shootout. And with everyone but Ledezma of Costa Rica scoring, the responsibility of winning the game came down to the young Arsenal man, who made no mistake. Vela sent the keeper the wrong way, firing accurately to Navas’ right hand side to see his native country progress to the final. You can see the shootout blow.

Mexico will now play the United States on Sunday night to determine the winner, and it’s thought that Carlos will start that match, before flying back to join his Arsenal teammates.

Click To Watch Vela’s Penalty

Article By – Gianni Sonvico

Celta Vigo have reached an agreement with Arsenal wing-back Pedro Botelho for the Brazilian to move to the Estadio Balaídos for the whole of next season.

Botelho will complete the second part of a medical and be presented on Monday morning. He joins Vasco Fernandes, David Català and Cristian Bustos in making the move to Celta Vigo from Salamanca during the summer. Botelho, who made 27 appearances for UD Salamanca last season, will earn the criteria needed for a work permit in January. This means the 19-year-old is free to rejoin Arsenal next summer.

In other news, James Dunne has sealed a switch to Exeter City. The 19-year-old impressed during pre-season has earned himself a reported one-year-deal. He signed professional terms in 2007 and was a regular for Neil Banfield’s second-string before spending a spell at Nottingham Forest last season.

Young Guns would like to wish both players the best of luck for the future.

Article By – J.Sanderson

After a fairly lack luster pre-season, returning striker Jay Simpson admits he must ‘put away his chances’ in the coming campaign if he’s to make inroads towards Arsène Wenger’s first-team.

Speaking after the Gunners’ 3-2 win over Lincoln City, the 20-year-old marksman spoke about his delight at returning following 3 months on loan with West Brom.

“It’s good to be back, I was looking forward to it (returning). It’s good to see some familiar faces.”

Having honed his trade with West Brom, the natural progression would be return to Arsenal and be involved with the first team. Yet Simpson was left out of the squad which travelled to Austria on Monday, and while he admits it was disappointing, Jay has reaffirmed his targets.

“All us young players wanted to go to Austria, so it’s always going to be disappointing, but we’ve all got our own goals and targets.”

“I’m just focusing on pre-season and getting fit. After pre-season, we’ll take it from there.”

The Enfield born prospect is facing a make break situation. A return to Reserves football seems like the most obvious option at the moment, but having tested himself with relative success in the Premier League, it would be a massive fall from grace. Subsequently, Simpson is determined to take his chance to avoid that from happening.

“I need to work on everything. There’s no such thing as a finished product in football. I’m focused on goals, I’ve got to start putting away my chances.”

Like Nacer Barazite, Jay’s future will be decided when Wenger returns from Austria, a place both players will feel they should have been.

Arsenal’s Under 16’s kicked off their preparations for the new season yesterday with a 2-1 win over Millwall. Following a brief tournament in Sweden, the Gunners really stepped things up on their return to England and secured victory thanks to a classy brace from striker Zak Ansah. Steve Gatting’s boys were without Nico Yennaris and Josh Rees who left for an England training camp ahead of the Nordic Tournament this morning.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Flying Dutchman Nacer Barazite could feel a bit aggrieved he wasn’t selected for Arsenal’s Austrian training camp after netting for the third year in a row against Barnet, yet the 19-year-old has set his sights on making Arsène Wenger’s XI in the coming months.

After featuring on 36 occasions for Derby County last season, the leggy front-man has returned with two fantastic performances. First at Barnet on Saturday, and then Monday nights 3-2 win over Lincoln City. Speaking shortly after the full time whistle, Nacer admits his delight at returning to the club and took the time to identify what he’s learnt.

“I’m delighted to be back and play in the Arsenal shirt again.”

“I’m happy with my performance against Barnet, and my goal. I like to play against Barnet and score. I think I’ve changed physically, and mentally. I think I’m a lot stronger now. But I think I can get better.”

At Lincoln Barazite wore the number 10 shirt, the same number his idol Dennis Bergkamp donned during his legendary spell with Arsenal. Naturally, comparisons have been made between the two Dutch forwards and they returned on Monday and the former Nijmegen player confirmed his desire to play in Dennis’ former role.

“I’ve always said I don’t mind where I play, but if I had to chose a position I’d say in the number 10.”

Young Guns’ Sunday article regarding the future of Nacer sparked mass debate, with many suggesting he could go on loan again while some believed he was ready for the first-team. When asked, ‘Naz’ also seemed to be in the dark over his future but revealed his preference.

“You never know. Hopefully it (the future) will bring positive things, and hopefully I can play in the first team at Arsenal. I like to play for Arsenal, I want to play for Arsenal.

“My target is to make my debut for the first team, in the Premier League.”

It’s expected that Arsène Wenger will sit down with Barazite following the completion of the Austrian tour to thrash out an arrangement.

Article By – J.Sanderson