Light At The End Of The Tunnel For Wellington

Wellington Silva has been granted a brief reprise from his deteriorating loan spell with Levante, after being selected by Brazil for the International Mediterranean Cup next month.

Silva joined the La Liga outfit on loan in January, after Arsenal failed to win a work permit for the former Fluminense forward. However, a serious bout of home sickness, combined with question marks over his attitude and work rate, have left coach Luis García frustrated.

The club have since drawn up a diet and fitness plan, but Wellington has only featured once, as an 89th minute substitute against Getafe in late January. García lost his patience due to the players consistently poor attitude, something both Flu and Arsenal have previously experienced.

The striker will finally get some match time next month, though. Brazil Under 18’s have included him in their squad for the International Mediterranean Cup, which takes place in Barcelona from the 19th to the 24th of April. It will feature over 40 national teams, from four continents.

Levante have agreed to release the prospect, in the hope that the change of location and the promise of match time will kick start what has been an unsuccessful few months for the exciting youngster.

Arsenal Agree Deal For Siemann

Arsenal have agreed to sign Hertha BSC defender Leander Siemann following a trial. The German centre back will complete the transfer in the summer.

Siemann joined Arsenal on trial in February, as Young Guns revealed. A regular for Hertha’s Under 16’s, he was set to leave the club in the summer, to spend a year in London studying. However, a family friend recommended him to Liam Brady, and the 15-year-old impressed during a week long training stint.

The six foot two inch youngster is noted for his powerful and physical approach. At home at either centre or right back, Leander has signed a three-year-contract, and told German agency ‘Bild’ that the move is a ‘dream come true’.

Arsenal have agreed a compensation package worth €250,000.

Where Are They Now? – Jeremie Aliadiere

Jérémie Aliadière joined Arsenal in 1999 as one of the brightest prospects in world football. Fast forward eleven years, and the Frenchman is back in North London trying to re-build his career.

Aliadière was recommended to Arsene Wenger after impressing in the famed Clairefontaine system. He signed a scholarship and the then 16-year-old went straight into the Academy side. The pacy striker was considerably successful at that level, scoring a record number of goals as Arsenal claimed the FA Youth Cup.

A promotion to the first-team followed. The 2001-2002 season saw Jérémie make his mark on the Premier League, making his debut against Fulham. He scored his first goal against West Brom in the closing stages of the campaign, leaving a positive impression on Wenger.

The youngster went on to play in the Carling Cup again the following year, as a class that featured Arturo Lupoli, Cesc Fabregas and Philippe Senderos took their first steps in the first-team. He scored four goals as the Gunners were knocked out in the semi finals. The impact didn’t go unnoticed though, as Aliadière won the Young Talent of the League Cup award. He also claimed a Premier League winners medal.

Those highlights were about as good as it got for the youngster. He missed nearly all of the 2004-2005 season through injury, then failed to make any impact when he returned. A selection of failed loans to Celtic, West Ham and then Wolves saw his development stall.

However, Jérémie returned to Arsenal with a point to prove. He again had to use the League Cup, but bagged goals against West Brom, Liverpool and Tottenham en route to the final, where he played 80 minutes in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea. That defeat proved to be the beginning of the end.

After failing to win promises over his future, Jérémie’s relationship with Wenger began to deteriorate. In January 2007 a move to Middlesbrough collapsed after Robin van Persie was ruled out through injury, and he was made to complete the season in London. He finally moved to the North East the following summer.

The £2 million signing snapped at Wenger after signing for ‘Boro, criticising his management style. He had a good start to life in the North, scoring against former club Arsenal and Manchester United. Yet he couldn’t stop Gareth Southgate’s side from being relegated from the Premier League.

Gordon Strachan replaced Southgate after a number of poor performances. After just one injury-dogged season in the Championship, Jérémie opted to leave. He trained with both Fulham and West Ham before a horrible knee ligament injury ended their interest.

Aliadière returned to Middlesbrough for training, from where he almost joined Dubai based Al Ain, only for a move their to break down. In January 2011 further transfers to Blackpool and Newcastle also broke down.

Despite their previous spat, Wenger offered his former player the option to train at London Colney two weeks ago. Jérémie is now close to full fitness, and with his former manager looking after him, expect to see the Frenchman back in the big time soon.

Loanees: Galindo Fit As Bartley Misses Cup Final

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.

Carlos Vela missed West Brom’s 2-2 draw with parent club Arsenal due to being ineligible.

Kyle Bartley missed Rangers 2-1 win over Celtic in the League Cup Final after suffering suspected medial ligament damage.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was an unused substitute for Cardiff City as they drew 3-3 with Millwall.

Henri Lansbury played the full 90 minutes as Norwich City drew 1-1 with Hull City. Lansbury failed add to his goal in midweek, but turned in a solid shift in midfield.

Sanchez Watt came off the bench to play the final six minutes of Leeds United’s 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United. Watt replaced Robert Snodgrass wide on the right, but struggled to get involved.

Vito Mannone missed Hull City’s 1-1 draw with Norwich City through injury.

Craig Eastmond was not included in the Millwall squad that drew 3-3 with Cardiff City.

Benik Afobe came off the bench to play the final 18 minutes of Huddersfield Town’s 0-0 draw with Swindon Town. Afobe was involved in a late goal mouth scramble, but failed to find the decisive strike in an even game.

Mark Randall was not included in the Rotherham United squad that lost 5-0 to Chesterfield on Friday night. Manager Ronnie Moore criticised Randall again in midweek, saying he was not suited to League Two football.

Gavin Hoyte will not play again this season after suffering medial ligament damage.

Ryo Miyaichi played the full 90 minutes as Feyenoord lost 3-0 to Roda JC. Miyaichi showed some neat touches on the left but struggled to be involved as Roda ended Feyenoord’s six match unbeaten run.

Francis Coquelin and Gilles Sunu were both second half substitutes as Lorient drew 0-0 with Saint-Etienne. Sunu came off the bench in the 67th minute with Coquelin following him 12 minutes later in what proved to be a stalemate.

Armand Traoré started and played 68 minutes of Juventus’ 2-1 win over Brescia. The Frenchman turned in a solid shift at left back, continuing to grow on recent good performances.

Wellington Silva was not included in the Levante squad that drew 0-0 with Deportivo La Coruna.

Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes as FC Cartagena drew 0-0 with Alcorcón. The Brazilian, who scored and made an assist last week, returned to a left back role and again kept a clean sheet.

Samuel Galindo returned to the UD Salamanca side following a broken ankle but was was an unused substitute as The Union lost 1-0 to Real Betis.

Introducing The New Young Guns Android App

Young Guns is delighted to announce the latest way to catch our news and updates, with our free Android application, from LineTen. You can download the app from the Android market as of today.

Just like the iPhone and iPod version, the app features all the latest articles delivered in a stylish list format, with pictures. However, the Android one also features blog comments and a list of our latest information from Twitter. There is also an option to get in touch and suggest further features.

The creation and development is down to the excellent LineTen.com. You can follow them on Twitter for technical support plus news on further releases.

You can download the application , for free, by clicking here.

Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool; Freeman Wins It

Arsenal inflicted a first defeat on new manager Pep Segura as the Gunners beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Premier Reserves League this evening.

Neil Banfield layed out a plan to win the league this week, but he lost George Brislen-Hall and Chuks Aneke before kick off, with the latter failing a fitness test following a training incident with Jack Wilshere. Roarie Deacon was drafted in as a late change.

ARSENAL: Shea; Hajrovic, Boateng, Miquel, Angha; Rees, Ozyakup, Henderson; Deacon, Murphy, Freeman.

LIVERPOOL: Hansen; Mendy, Cooper, Sama, Wisdom; Thomas, Silva, Saric, Ince; Roberts, Irwin.

Arsenal elected to attack down the slope on their return to Underhill, but it was Liverpool who began the brighter, forcing Miquel to clear two dangerous Ince crosses.

The Merseysiders continued to press down the flanks, but it was Arsenal who created the first real chance, which Murphy wasted after good work from Freeman in the middle.

Liverpool then returned to their plan of retaining the ball, but it proved to be their down fall. Sloppy play at the back was taken advantage of by Deacon, he slipped in Freeman who beat one man, then smashed a powerful drive into the top corner on his weaker right foot. It was a stunning opener. 1-0.

Deacon continued his dangerous play and won a penalty nine minutes later, after Wisdom tripped him in the box. Murphy grabbed the ball and casually sent Hansen the wrong way, only to see the ball smack the post and bounce clear.

It proved to be the final real action of the first half.

Liverpool returned from the break a better team, but Shea proved to be on his guard denying Ince and then Saric from the re-bound as the play began to get stretched.

Freeman did his best to try and seal the game late on, but his volley in the box went inches over. He had another chance shortly after, when Wisdom passed the ball straight to him, but the resulting shot was easy for Hansen.

The visitors tried to grab a last ditch equaliser, but a succession of free kicks and corners came to nothing. It appeared to be a frustrating night, but Ince cropped up in the 88th minute to slide home following a save from Shea. 1-1.

The draw seemed all but certain, but Arsenal forced a late corner. Freeman pulled off his man and turned home in stoppage time for a late winner. 2-1.

The win leaves Banfield’s boys very much in the title hunt as the season enters its final stages.

Arsenal Keep Watch On Miyaichi Junior

Arsenal are keeping an interested eye on the 15-year-old brother of Ryo Miyaichi, who is currently on trial with Feyenoord.

Miyaichi junior has arrived in Holland to begin a three week training stint after being recommended to both Arsène Wenger and the Academy Director at Feyenoord Stanley Brard.

The initial reports are that Arsenal regard Ryo’s brother as an exciting talent, but as they would not win a work permit for him directly, have decided to allow the Rotterdam club to have the first look.

The news comes in a week when Steve Rowley confirmed no decision will be made on Ryo future at Feyenoord until the end of the season. Technical Director Leo Beenhakker had previously been in touch seeking a possible extension of the loan, but the Gunners will hold fire on an answer until a second visa application.

More news on whether the Miyaichi boys will be reunited in expected in the coming weeks.

Video: Botelho Goal & Assist v Huesca

Pedro Botelho added to his blossoming reputation over the weekend, by bagging a goal and assist as FC Cartagena beat Huesca 2-0.

The versatile youngster is enjoying this fourth season on loan in the Spanish Segunda, but is set to finally link up with Arsenal in the summer. His form with Cartagena has been promising all season; adding up to three goals and masses of assists in 28 appearances.

You can watch Pedro’s latest goal and assist by clicking here.

Wenger Hands Miquel First Team Opportunity

Arsène Wenger will hand Ignasi Miquel the chance to break into Arsenal’s first-team following confirmation of Johan Djourou’s shoulder injury, which will rule him out for the remainder of the season.

Miquel has started just twice for Arsenal, playing both games against Leyton Orient in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The Spaniard turned in impressive shifts in both games, and with Djourou joining Thomas Vermaelen on the injury list, he is set for a greater role in the title run in.

Wenger does have the option to recall loanee Kyle Bartley from Rangers, subject to the Scottish outfit agreeing to terminate the deal and Arsenal paying compensation. However, this is seen as an unlikely option.

That leaves French duo Laurent Koscielny and Sébastien Squillaci for the short-term, with Ignasi set to train full time with the first-team ahead of potentially securing a place for next season.

The 19-year-old has previously admitted he expected to leave on loan.


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