Month: January 2011

Ryo Miyaichi has had his initial work permit application rejected, Young Guns can confirm. The Japanese winger will now follow Wellington Silva out on loan this month.

Silva officially completed his move to Arsenal today, as the club purchased the remaining 35% of his ownership from Fluminense. He has now agreed to join La Liga side Levante on loan until the end of the season, when the Gunners will try again to win the Brazilian a visa.

Miyaichi is in a similar situation. He has now arrived in London and signed a five year contract, and is currently training with Steve Bould’s Under 18′s. Arsenal’s application for a work permit for him was rated at 50:50, but it has gone against Arsène Wenger.

The 18-year-old will now go on loan, but interestingly, Spain is not being considered as the primary destination. Carlos Vela, Pedro Botelho, Samuel Galindo and now Wellington have all moved the Segunda  after failing to win visas. Arsenal will instead look to loan Miyaichi out to the Dutch Eredivisie.

A move has not been decided on yet, but Feyenoord are the front runners, along with Nacer Barazite’s Vitesse Arnhem. A deal should be completed in the coming days.

Ignasi Miquel is in the Arsenal squad to face Ipswich Town tonight, Young Guns can confirm. The Spaniard keeps his place in the first-team after being named on the bench against Leeds United at on Saturday.

Miquel was widely expected to be part of Arsène Wenger’s team for the Carling Cup Semi-Final, after he was not part of the Reserve team which lost 10-1 to Aston Villa on Monday. He was in the stadium, though, cheering on his team mates from the stands.

Arsenal are currently experiencing a centre back crisis, with Thomas Vermaelen going for an operation on an Achilles problem while Sébastien Squillaci picked up a knock against Leeds. Wenger is also keen to rest Johan Djourou, fearing a recurrence of his troublesome knee problems which have dogged his fitness in recent years.

A number of English based newspapers say Miquel will start against Ipswich, but this is unlikely. Alexandre Song dropping back to centre half is a more realistic option, something the Frenchman confirmed he was thinking about today when pressed on a possible defensive signing.

“We have solutions internally, with Miquel, with Alex Song, who can play centre back, and with Squillaci. Sébastien should come back very quickly.”

Miquel has never made a professional appearance for Arsenal, but did feature against Barnet in pre-season.

Nacer Barazite has rejoined Vitesse Arnhem on loan until the end of the season. Barazite was previously on loan with the Eredivise outfit, but his spell with his home town club was cut short by mutual consent.

Vitesse held meetings with the 20-year-old and, after re-negotiating fresh loan terms with Arsenal, the Dutchman has agreed to see out the remainder of the season in Holland. Technical director Ted van Leeuwen confirmed to the media he had thrashed out fresh terms, but a large loan payment was made to Arsenal.

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. You can read all the latest reports below.

Sanchez Watt started and played 75 minutes in a 1-1 draw with parent club Arsenal at the Emirates. Watt began on the right of midfield and turned in a decent shift, shooting over twice and having a few good runs at Kieran Gibbs. He was substituted late on to mass applause as the fixture went to a replay.

Vito Mannone has extended his loan with Hull City until the end of the season, but will not be fit until February. He subsequently did not play as Hull City were dumped out of the FA Cup by Wigan Athletic.

Kyle Bartley played the full 90 minutes for Sheffield United as they crashed out of the FA Cup against Aston Villa. Bartley was arguably United’s most impressive player, and despite Kyle Walker cutting inside him and shooting for the opener, the made amends with a selection of dangerous balls out from the back and important blocks.

Benik Afobe was not able to complete his loan spell with Huddersfield Town against Dover, as he continues to nurse a knee injury. Talks are on going for Town to end Benik’s loan spell until the end of the season.

Cédric Evina re-signed for Oldham Athletic just in time to play against Swindon Town in League One. Evina played 75 minutes on the left of midfield and did well, as Oldham won 2-0.

Thomas Cruise started and played 72 minutes for Carlisle United, as they went out of the FA Cup against Torquay. Cruise had a quiet game but poor defending cost United, as they lost 1-0.

Mark Randall was not in action this weekend, as Rotherham United play on Tuesday.

Gavin Hoyte started at centre back for Lincoln City in their re-arranged FA Cup second round tie against Hereford United. Hoyte went off injured after nine minutes and was missed, as Hereford took advantage of poor defending to win a thriller 4-3.

Francis Coquelin missed Lorient’s French Cup win over Vannes OC due to injury.

Armand Traoré started and played 45 minutes for Juventus against Napoli. Traoré turned in decent shift, but was at fault for Edison Cavani’s second goal. He was subsituted at half time.

Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes and provided an assist as FC Cartagena beat UD Salamanca 1-0. Botelho, who again continued on the left of a front three, claimed the Man of the Match award against his former side. Pedro clearly had something to prove, and set out to do maximum damage.

He smacked the post in the opening minutes of the game before providing the ball for what proved to be the winner just after the half hour mark. Botelho showed superb skill and then composure to beat his man and cross for Toche to slide home from close range. He couldn’t miss.

Samuel Galindo is current nursing a broken ankle and did not feature for UD Salamanca this weekend.

Huddersfield Town are in talks with Arsenal over extending Benik Afobe’s loan spell. The 17-year-old’s stint with The Terriers expired today, but manager Lee Clark is keen to keep the striker in Yorkshire.

Afobe has enjoyed a mixed time with Huddersfield, having failed to score in nine appearances in League One. However, the England Under 19 international has found goals elsewhere, bagging strikes in both the FA and Carling Cups. A knee injury picked up in training last week has curtailed his time with Town, but both Clarke and Benik are open to an extension.

The powerful front-man has previously admitted his frustration at the lack of playing time with Huddersfield, especially over the busy Christmas period. However, he later retracted the statement and confirmed his desire to continue to fight for the team, as the Yorkshire outfit push for promotion from League One.

It’s not yet clear whether Arsenal would allow Benik to spend the rest of the season with Huddersfield, but the striker will continue to be part of the Gunners FA Youth Cup side regardless.

Elsewhere, Hull City have re-signed Vito Mannone on loan until the end of the season, although he will not play for The Tigers until February due to injury. Cedric Evina also extended his spell with Oldham Athletic today, agreeing to stay for at least another month, on a youth loan.

Young Guns is delighted to announce the latest way to catch our updates, with our brand new application for the iPhone and iPod. You can download the app, free of charge, from the app store from today.

The first version of the application features all the latest articles delivered in a stylish list format, for easy navigation and usage. Plans are afoot for further upgrades, including pages and extra content. Interest in the app has been huge, and should it take off as planned, a second paid version with exclusive add on’s for the iPad will also go live.

The technical content is being handled by the brilliant Simon Hume, life long Gooner and owner of Milk Bar Studios. You can follow Simon and Milk Bar Studios on Twitter for other releases, and contact them here if you need to report crashes or other problems.

You can download the application direct from the app store here.

Bolton Wanderers have made an official offer to Arsenal to take striker Carlos Vela on loan. Manager Owen Coyle spoke of his desire to take the Mexican to the Reebok earlier in the week, but only made the bid on Wednesday.

Arsène Wenger has already confirmed that the Gunners have received mass interest in Vela, after the Frenchman announced on Friday he would listen to loan offers for the player. Bolton were one of the first clubs to openly declare their interest, and are thought to be the only Premier League side who have made a bid.

Valencia and Espanyol are also said to be interested, but would prefer a cash deal. Young Guns reported on Friday that Arsenal are only interested in a loan, as Carlos is part of the long term future at the club. Wenger confirmed this two days later. Vela’s agent also admitted a return to La Liga is out of the question, due to ‘economic reasons’.

The key to Bolton signing the 21-year-old is found in the content of their bid. Arsenal were happy to do business with Jack Wilshere last season, because Coyle promised Wilshere regular playing time. With forwards Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander in good form this term, it’s unlikely he could offer the same assurances, despite admitting he wants to rotate his side in the second half of the season and only being able to name four substitutes in recent games.

However, Wenger’s positive relationship with Coyle, formed after the excellent treatment of Jack, could sway the balance.

Sanchez Watt will now be able to play against Arsenal for loan club Leeds United at the weekend, after being given permission to feature. Watt was told earlier in the week he was ineligible, but the decision has been back tracked.

A statement on Leeds United’s website this afternoon confirmed that, despite originally being informed the loan winger would not be able to feature, he is now able to play. The Yorkshire club did not provide a reason as to why the 20-year-old is now eligible.

Watt used his Twitter page to tell followers he would not be able to play earlier in the week, but spoke of his joy at the decision being over turned this afternoon. He admitted the game will be ‘the biggest of his career’. Watt is currently recovering from stitches in his head, needed after receiving a nasty blow during last nights defeat to Cardiff City.

Watt is expected to be part of the squad, however.

Welcome to this New Year Day special Loanees Watch – Young Guns’ analysis, reports and updates on the progress of the young starlets currently plying their trade away from the Emirates Stadium. You can read all the latest reports below.

Aaron Ramsey played 35 minutes in his final game for Nottingham Forest against Barnsley. Ramsey struggled to get involved but did play some neat passes as Forest drew 2-2 despite being 2-0 down when Aaron came on.

Benik Afobe played 73 minutes for Huddersfield Town as they drew 2-2 with Tom Cruise’s Carlisle United. Afobe won the free-kick which led to the opening goal, and otherwise turned in another good shift on the left of a front three.

Sanchez Watt played the final 16 minutes for Leeds United as they drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough.

Kyle Bartley missed Sheffield United’s defeat to Burnley due to suspension.

In the lower leagues, Mark Randall came off the bench to play 26 minutes for Rotherham United. He managed to get on the score sheet, grabbing the fifth of The Millers five goals. Cedric Evina played 25 minutes for Oldham Athletic, and Gavin Hoyte played the full 90 minutes for Lincoln City against Bradford.

Elsewhere, Best Sportsbook Bonus‘ can be hard to find. Vito Mannone has returned to Arsenal early after suffering a thigh injury during last weeks draw with Reading. Hull City have moved to sign Brad Guzan from Aston Villa as replacement, so there is no opportunity for Mannone to return.

Ryo Miyaichi will fly to London on Monday after his Chukyo High School team were beaten 4-2 by Kumiyama High School in the opening game of the All-Japan High School Tournament.

Miyaichi did sign off in style, however, bagging a goal and assist as Chukyo took a well deserved 2-1 lead into the half time break. They couldn’t stave off a Kumiyama come back, though, and went down 4-2. You can watch video highlights of Ryo’s goal and assist here.