Month: July 2009

Today the UEFA Under 19’s European Championship kicked off with young gunners Henri Lansbury, Gavin Hoyte, Rhys Murphy and Fran Merida all involved for their respective nations.

England kicked off today against Switzerland, with Henri and Gavin both starting and with Murphy on the bench.

The three lions started cautiously, heeding their coach, Brain Eastick’s, words about the importance of not losing their first game. Indeed, it took until the 35th minute for a clear chance from either team. England won a free-kick on the edge of the area, and left-back Mattlock, a senior member of the team, stepped up to curl an effort home. And that’s how it stayed for the remainder of the half, despite Switzerland coming close just after Mattlock’s effort.

In the Second period Lansbury’s quality began to show through more and more. He was given plenty of opportunities to try out his corner technique and it almost cost the Swiss when his in-swinger caused frantic confusion, but unfortunately there was no-one on hand to turn it in. As England pressed, he turned creator once again when he played Wellbeck through on goal, only for the United striker to be denied by a superb goal-line clearance. In the end, their lack of end product gave Switzerland the opportunity to get back in the game, Steele produced save after save in the dying minutes, but could do nothing to stop another free-kick, this time from Wütrich, and his thunderous effort leveled it. The game finished 1-1, with both Lansbury and Hoyte playing the full 90 minutes

England will have to regroup quickly for a now crucial game against the Ukraine on Friday, and maybe they’ll look to Rhys Murphy, who played no part in today’s draw, as a source of goals.

Later on tonight, Merida’s Spain play Turkey, but Fran is suspended for the fixture.

In other international news, Carlos Vela’s Mexico will play Costa Rica in the Semi-finals of the Gold Cup after they beat Haiti 4-0 in the quarters. Vela didn’t play in that game and hasn’t taken part since the opening 10 minutes of the tournament. However, despite rumours that he was injured for the rest of pre-season, he was pencilled in as fit enough to play in the encounter against Haiti.

Article By  – Gianni Sonvico

Arsenal’s Under 18’s kicked off their pre-season on Saturday morning with a 6-0 rout over Plymouth Argyle’s exciting Academy side at London Colney.

The fixture proved to a solid run out for Steve Bould’s boys ahead of last night’s 3-2 win over Lincoln City at Sincil Bank. Plymouth began well against the Gunners and pressed hard in the early stages. Liam Head teed up Luke Young who just slid an effort over, before Young went even closer 12 minutes later.

As the half ticked down, Arsenal stepped up a gear and showed their superior fitness. Luke Freeman struck in the 40th minute to put the hosts in front before he doubled his tally 60 seconds later. It meant that Bould’s outfit went into the break with a tidy lead.

The tidy lead developed into a healthy one after the break when Freeman completed his hat-trick and added another to boot. That was sandwiched in between a Chuks Aneke double, showing he’s got bright prospects ahead of the coming campaign.

Freeman’s impressive performance came after his manager lauded his work rate and enthusiasm and tipped the former Gillingham starlet to be abig force next term.

“Luke trains like a trooper and gives it nothing but his best every day.”

“He’s got decent pace and is a good finisher, as we saw last season. We’ve seen him improve month by month in his year and a half here – he had to adapt from lower league football – adjusting to a short passing game, and has got to grips with it very well.

“In terms of things he can improve I’d look at his hold-up play, but I’m pleased with his progress. This season should be a good season for him to truly step up onto the FA Youth Cup stage, and hopefully make his way into the Reserve team picture.”

All in all it was a fantastic run out for some of last year’s Under 16’s who will be aiming to step up a level this term. The Premier Academy League and F.A Youth Cup trophies look to be in good hands ahead of the coming season.

Goals –

Luke Freeman – (4)
Chuks Aneke (2)

Article By – J.Sanderson

Steve Bould took an Arsenal Reserves and Youth XI to Lincolnshire this evening as the Gunners faced Lincoln City for the first time in 118 years. A 4,508 strong crowd was in attendance with a firm mixture of both Gooners and Imps. However, a car accident on the A46 motorway hampered travelling supporters.

On the pitch, seven regular members of Arsenal’s League and Cup winning Under 18’s started, while there a flavour of experience in the form of Nacer Barazite and Jay Simpson. Newly signed Sean McDermott was handed a debut, whilst there was three of the 09/10 scholars on the bench.

Shea
Ayling – Boateng – Miquel – Cruise
Sunu – Coquelin – Thomas – Watt
Barazite – Simpson

Subs: – McDermott, Obed, Özyakup, Henderson, Freeman.

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After 118 years, Arsenal have made the trek to Lincolnshire ahead of this evening’s pre-season friendly with League Two Lincoln City – who will face a Reserves and Youth XI at Sincil Bank.

In 1891 around 3,500 fans saw the mighty Imps beat Woolwich Arsenal 3-1 in Plumstead. 118 years on, a similar score-line is on the cards tonight, but this time for the visitors who will boast a squad of the finest young players in World football. A much larger crowd, closer to Sincil Bank’s 10,127 capacity is expected.

Arsenal have taken an extremely young squad up North. Infact it’s so young a handful of the names are yet to break into the Under 18’s on a full time basis never mind the Reserves. However, in front two Nacer Barazite and Jay Simpson there is experience and talent in abundance.

Nine of the squad played under Arsène Wenger at Barnet on Saturday, including Sanchez Watt who started. There is a first chance to look at Sean McDermott, who joined us this summer from IK Vag, whilst newly signed scholars Ignasi Miquel, Danny Boateng and Oğuzhan Özyakup make up an exciting line up.

Predicted Starting XI

Shea
Obed – Ayling – Miquel – Cruise
Sunu – Coquelin – Thomas – Watt
Barazite – Simpson

Subs: McDermott, Boateng, Özyakup, Henderson, Freeman.

Kick off is at 19:30 hours UK time. A small number of tickets may be available on the gate while there there is no live coverage on Arsenal TV Online. Young Guns’ Match Report will be published on the full time whistle and there may be Player Ratings to follow. Please leave a comment if you would like Player Ratings.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Håvard Nordtveit travelled to Germany this morning after Arsenal informed his current loan club, Lillestrøm, that they will not be extending his loan beyond August 1st.

Having firmly resurrected his reputation as one of the most promising defenders in Europe after returning to his home-land in March, Arsenal have now decided to give the 19-year-old a fresh challenge. German Bundesliga outfit Nürnberg have made an offer to take Håvard on loan until the end of the season, and the player himself has now left Norway to check out their facilities before returning to training tomorrow.

Lillestrøm’s Sporting Director confirmed that Nordtveit has travelled to Germany but admits the defenders future is still up in the air even if he rebuffs Nürnberg.

“Will Nordtveit stay with Lillestrøm if he says no to the Germans? – it is impossible to say. Everything is up to Arsenal. We said we want him to continue with us, and we can only hope for the best”

The Gunners have been making regular checks on Nordtveit who has established himself as first-choice in a frustrating season for LSK. The physical nature of Tippeligaen football has worried Arsenal officials after their prospect had his nose broken on his debut, and recently lost a tooth following an elbow in the mouth.

Nürnberg will be playing Bundesliga football next season after winning their Bundesliga II play-off. They will be battling against a return to the 2nd Division next term but they do boast a handful of internationals among their ranks. The coming weeks promise to be very interesting for Håvard.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Nigel Clough is hoping Arsène Wenger will give Mark Randall permission to join up with Derby County on Tuesday as the Rams travel to Devon on a mini pre-season tour.

Having started and played 45 minutes against Barnet on Saturday afternoon, Mark is in line to feature for a Reserves & Youth XI as the Gunners travel to Lincolnshire for their second friendly in three days in the form of Lincoln City. The classy central midfielder could then be thrust into action tomorrow as Derby face Yeovil, before clashes with Torquay United on Thursday and then Exeter City on Saturday.

“We are just waiting for confirmation from Arsenal that he can come on the trip.”

“Hopefully, he can meet up with us on Tuesday. If he does, he will play in two of the three games, probably Tuesday and Saturday, with a view to a loan – maybe to January or for the whole season.”

Whatever the opinion on Randall, Wenger remains a huge fan of the central midfielder, especially after his performances in Arsenal’s Carling Cup run last season. Derby’s offer of a trial is not based on Mark’s talent, on the contrary, Clough just wants to examine the former Northampton Town trainees suitability to life with the Rams.

“The idea is to bring in somebody different from what we have got.”

“Next week will be ideal to have a look at him. There is no point coming training, as you can only see a certain amount in training but this way we can see him in games.”

The 10 appearances made for  Burnley in 2008 stand Randall in good stead should he make the return to Championship football next term. Whatever happens, it promises to be a ‘make or break’ campaign for the 19-year-old.

Make Sure You Check Out Mark’s New Profile In Our Updated Player Profile Section!

UPDATE: – Permission Given.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Just 6 minutes after making his playing return to Arsenal following a character building loan spell with Derby County, exciting Dutch forward Nacer Barazite cracked home his third goal in as many years against Barnet at Underhill.

The imposing winger was one of the shining lights of a stuttering start to Arsenal’s pre-season fixtures. Yet the future of one of the most promising wide men in Europe is still very much up the air. The likes of Luke Ayling, Francis Coquelin, Sanchez Watt, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Emmanuel Frimpong also impressed yesterday, but another year in the Reserves is needed for their development.

But the same cannot be said for Barazite. The Dutch Under 19 international is at the stage of his career where the next move will be ‘make or break’. Another loan could be on the cards, but in another 12 months the situation would be identical. So how about a promotion to the first-team? well many have been calling for that for the past two years.

After his spell at Derby County brought a mixture of good and poor performances, it’s still unclear whether Nacer has the consistency in his game to make a real impression on something like the Carling Cup. Yet yesterday he proved he can be a valuable impact player, meaning a role similar to that which Theo Walcott had could be useful.

But with the likes of Andrey Arshavin, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky, Armand Traore, Emmanuel Eboue and the aforementioned Walcott all vying for the two wing positions, and with the forward line seeming to be just as competitive, there is nowhere Barazite could really fit in.

His exquisite finish yesterday was just a flash of the genius Nacer possesses, but what would you do to further his development?

Make Sure You Check Out Nacer’s New Profile In Our Updated Player Profile Section!

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal’s pre-season really got going this afternoon as Arsene Wenger took a mixture of first-team and Reserves and Youth players to Underhill – for the 10th consecutive time.

Wenger began the fixture with arguably his strongest possible line up, with first-team members Manuel Almunia, Johan Djourou, William Gallas, Thomas Vermaelen, Mikael Silvestre, Tomas Rosicky and Andrey Arshavin all starting. There was a scattering of youth with F.A Youth Cup winning duo Emmanuel Frimpong and Sanchez Watt also lining up.

Almunia
Djourou – Gallas – Vermaelen – Silvestre
Wilshere – Randall – Frimpong – Rosicky
Arshavin – Watt

Subs: Mannone, Eastmond, Ayling, Cruise, Thomas, Henderson, Coquelin, Simpson, Barazite Sunu.

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Arsenal step up their pre-season preparations this afternoon with the first of several friendlies. Barnet are the opponents at their Underhill stadium which is used by the Gunners’ Reserve side.

Typically, Arsene Wenger has named a mixture of youth and experience in the travelling party. Expect a whole host of changes in the second half, but the XI below will begin the game at 15:00.

Almunia
Djourou – Gallas – Vermaelen – Silvestre
Wilshere – Randall – Frimpong – Rosicky
Arshavin – Watt

Subs: Mannone, Eastmond, Ayling, Cruise, Thomas, Henderson, Coquelin, Simpson, Barazite Sunu.

Article By – J.Sanderson