Loanees: Miyaichi Completes Loan Spell

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 was not included the West Brom team that beat Everton 1-0.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas played 90 minutes for Cardiff City as they drew 0-0 with Reading in the first leg of their play-off campaign. Emmanuel-Thomas was operating from the left of a five man midfield, but struggled to get involved. However, he did track back on a number of occasions, before being replaced in stoppage time.

Benik Afobe started and played 87 minutes of Huddersfield Town’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth in the first leg of their play off campaign. Afobe was surprisingly named as a lone striker, and lacked service in a tough and tight affair. Benik did have one chance to make it 2-1 late on, but he slipped at the key moment.

Ryo Miyaichi started and played 45 minutes as Feyenoord completed their season with a 1-1 draw against NEC. Miyaichi had a bright start to the game but was withdrawn at half time after picking up an injury. Ryo is expected to recover in time to make his debut with Japan Under 22 against Australia Under 22 next month.

Francis Coquelin played the full 90 minute as Lorient drew 2-2 with Marseille. Coquelin once again impressed with an efficient midfield display. Gilles Sunu was not included in the squad.

Armand Traoré came off the bench to play the final 37 minutes of Juventus’ 1-0 defeat to Parma. Traoré did show some nice touches but couldn’t do anything to prevent the defeat.

Wellington Silva was not included in the Levante squad that drew 0-0 with Valencia.

Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes as Cartagena beat Girona 1-0. Botelho was restored to a role on the left of a front three, and he made his impact felt in the opening four minutes. He first had two good chances to score blocked, before he was fouled in the box for a penalty. Victor scored what would prove to be the winner, as four Girona players were sent off in an amazing second half.

Samuel Galindo was an unused substitute as UD Salamanca lost 2-0 to Xerez.

Elsewhere, Kyle Bartley collected his winners medal as Rangers beat Kilmarnock 5-1 to win the Scottish Premier League.

Henderson & Miquel Included For Aston Villa

Arsène Wenger has penciled in Conor Henderson and Ignasi Miquel for places in the squad ahead of Arsenal’s final home game of the season against Aston Villa.

The duo made their debuts in the FA Cup replay against Leyton Orient in March, where both started and turned in solid shifts in a 5-0 victory. Wenger has since selected them for a number of training sessions with the first-team, and, following a selection of injuries, the Frenchman has no qualms about rewarding their hard work with places on the bench.

Cesc Fàbregas and Samir Nasri will have late fitness tests, but even if they pass, Henderson and Miquel should still make up the squad.

Anderlecht Hopeful Of Arsenal Partnership

Anderlecht are hopeful of securing a partnership deal with Arsenal following extensive talks. The Belgian outfit sent Sporting Director Herman van Holsbeeck to London last week, where he discussed a number of ways the two clubs could form a mutually beneficial partnership.

Arsenal already enjoy successful link ups with a number of clubs all over the world, with the main aims being the development of young players. However, deals with Spanish sides Celta Vigo and UD Salamanca have collapsed following poor treatment of loanees, leaving many to question whether such partnerships actually work.

Anderlecht have already put their cards on the table. van Holsbeeck is said to have asked Arsenal for a list of available loan players, with the view to them heading to Belgium next year. The media have since speculated that two players that were discussed are Oğuzhan Özyakup and Wellington Silva, although this is wide of the mark.

However, Anderlecht did make one offer, to take Carlos Vela on loan for next season, but this was rejected by the player. The main agreement would see coaching methods exchanged, as the Pro League outfit have a solid history of developing talents. It would also see the Gunners offering non-EU eligible players on loan.

Any partnership may also help Arsenal’s hunt for Anderlecht’s promising youngsters. Former targets Dennis Praet and Jordan Lukaku are no longer on the radar, but attacking midfielder Charly Musonda is. That deal is complicated, though, with his father saying he wants his son to stay in Belgium.

All in the all, the link up promises to be a fruitful one, should Arsenal go ahead with it. It wouldn’t mean any advantages in signing first-team players like Romelu Lukaku, but it would give the club a firm foot hold in one area of the world that is rapidly producing top quality youngsters.

Bihmoutine Follows Suit In Rejecting England

Samir Bihmoutine is the latest Arsenal youngster to turn his back on a potential career with England, in favour of representing the country of his origins. Bihmoutine has confirmed he intends to represent Morocco next year.

He follows in the foot steps of Conor Henderson, Daniel Boateng, Ben Glasgow, Steven Smith, Philip Roberts, Callum Webb and more recently, Chuks Aneke. All were born in England, but were head hunted by other national team selectors and have since defected.

The nationality issue has been one which has raised many questions, with some, such as Boateng and Bihmoutine, confirming they didn’t want to play for the Three Lions at an early age. However, the likes of Aneke, Henderson and Ghanaian Emmanuel Frimpong all played for England before committing their future elsewhere.

Samir announced his intentions in an interview with Euro Football Zone, in which he revealed his intent to play for Morocco next year. The reasons why more and more players are rejecting England isn’t clear, but none of the players mentioned have been regulars for the youth ranks and its thought that the large number of English players in the system has seen many tempted elsewhere.

Bihmoutine may be the latest, but he won’t be the last. Alban Bunjaku is eligible to play for Albania while Congo could try and use their influence to tempt Benik Afobe away.

Loanees: Afobe Scores As Lansbury Assists

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.

This report features action from the final day of regular English Championship, League One and Two fixtures. Those players will now return to Arsenal.

Carlos Vela came off the bench to play the final seven minutes of West Brom’s 3-1 defeat against Wolves. Vela came on wide on the left, and should have scored, only for him to hold onto the ball too long and lose it.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas came off the bench to play the final 34 minutes of Cardiff City drew 1-1 with Burnley. Emmanuel-Thomas struggled to get involved, but did have two shots late on that were blocked and cleared.

Henri Lansbury came off the bench to play the final 30 minutes as Norwich City drew 2-2 with Coventry City. Lansbury was also a substitute on Monday, when Norwich clinched promotion to the Premier League. Henri showed some neat touches against City, and provided an assist for Daniel Pacheco just 90 seconds after replacing Grant Holt.

Vito Mannone missed Hull City’s 3-0 defeat to Bristol City through injury.

Sanchez Watt came off the bench to play the final 5 minutes of Leeds United’s 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers. Watt had little time to make an impact after coming on, but the winger did have one good chance, but he dragged it wide.

Benik Afobe started and played 74 minutes as Huddersfield Town drew 4-4 with Brentford. Afobe turned in another solid shift, and scored Town’s fourth goal, with a smart finish inside the box. Huddersfield have missed out on automatic promotion, but will go into the play offs. It’s not yet clear whether Benik will be allowed to take part.

Mark Randall was not included in the Rotherham squad that beat Torquay United 3-1.

Ryo Miyaichi was not in action this weekend as Feyenoord did not have a fixture due to the Dutch Cup Final.

Francis Coquelin started and played 74 minutes of Lorient’s 0-0 draw with Toulouse. Coquelin won a series of tough challenges and showed good energy, in a midfield battle with the much talked about Moussa Sissoko. However, the Frenchman tired in the second half and was replaced. Gilles Sunu was an unused substitute.

Armand Traoré was not in action this weekend, as Juventus play Chievo on Monday.

Wellington Silva was an unused substitute as Levante lost 3-2 to Athletic Bilbao.

Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes as Cartagena drew 1-1 with Ponferradina. Botelho played the whole game at left back, and despite delivering some deep crosses, there was nobody on the end of them.

Samuel Galindo was an unused substitute as UD Salamanca beat Rayo 2-1.

Step Forward Arsenal’s British Backbone

Jack Wilshere’s won the PFA Young Player of the Year award last month, and with it, Arsène Wenger sent another message to some of his biggest critics, who doubted his ability and intent to buy or produce English talent. Now, for the first time in several years, Arsenal have an array of British players that can realistically compete for a first team place.

In 2004, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Ray Parlour and Martin Keown helped Arsenal to an unprecedented invincible season. The four Englishman played a vital part in the success and were a major influence in the dressing room and around the club. Since then, Arsenal have only won one significant trophy, the FA Cup in 2005.

Despite Cole and Campbell staying at Arsenal for the following two years, plus the introduction of Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal have failed to maintain a British basis in the first team squad. It is certainly something Wenger has wished to address over the past few years, saying in October of 2009; “I am highly determined to bring more English players through”.

For the first time in a number of years, Arsenal can boast the likes of the aforementioned Walcott, Ramsey, Wilshere and the promising Kieran Gibbs. They could soon be joined by the emerging Henri Lansbury and Kyle Bartley, both of whom have shown signs that they have all the qualities Wenger demands, plus that English spirit.

It is no secret that the most successful clubs over the years have had a British backbone, in fact, no club has ever won the Premier League without an English centre half in their first team squad. Manchester United have consistently maintained a British nucleus, along with Chelsea, whose recent success comes hand in hand with the consistency, leadership and stability John Terry and Frank Lampard bring on the pitch. Even elsewhere, you have to look no further than Barcelona, whose home grown talents are integral to their success.

Determination, passion and desire are some of the main qualities associated with British players, which is a key component in the Premier League. Growing up around the English game, playing and watching can’t help but build a genuine affection for the game and a loyalty that is so hard to buy. Despite Arsenal developing foreign talent at a young age to help install these same qualities, it is hard to build such a strong affiliation with the English game and the club they are at compared to the British players. There is no doubting the qualities foreign players bring to the English game, but to truly compete in any league there has to be some local boys whose love runs further than just football.

Last weekend was a prime example of that. Ramsey, Wilshere and Walcott helped defeat a strong United side, showing their passion, spirit and work rate in closing the ball down and chasing. That, plus the exciting Gibbs, Lansbury and Bartley, meaning Arsenal will have a strong British contingent who also have ability.

In November of last year, Wenger admitted the time and effort he and his staff have put into developing top quality English players, and it appears to be coming to fruition, noting: “I feel that we have four or five players who can be the backbone of the English team.”

If Wenger is to be believed, Arsenal’s core promises to be British for many years to come.

You can follow me on Twitter @NickLove1985.

Deacon Joins Sunderland On Trial

Roarie Deacon is set to follow George Brislen-Hall out of the Arsenal exit door, after Liam Brady opted not to extend his contract. Deacon has since joined Sunderland on trial.

The promising winger has been one of the Reserves’ leading lights in recent weeks, including a superb showing at the recent Dallas Cup. However, with a selection of Under 18’s fighting hard for places, Brady has made the surprising decision to release the Londoner, who had been in the third year of his scholarship.

Deacon hasn’t been short of offers, and joined Sunderland on trial this week. He played the full 90 minutes against Preston North End this afternoon, as the Black Cats confirmed their place in the ToteSport Cup final. Former Gunner Jason Banton also featured, and both turned in impressive displays on either wing.

A decision on whether Sunderland sign Roarie is expected shortly.

Ozyakup Breaks Off Arsenal Contract Talks

Oğuzhan Özyakup has opened negotiations with clubs from Italy, Germany and Turkey after talks over an extension to his Arsenal contract broke down. Özyakup’s current deal expires in the summer.

Arsenal have been attempting to secure the Dutchman’s future for a number of months, and made their first offer around January time. Oğuzhan and his agent both admitted they were hopeful all parties would reach a successful conclusion. However, since then, the midfielders relationship with the club has deteriorated.

In a bid to resolve any concerns the player had, the Gunners returned to the table with an improvement on their two and a half year offer, with more money. Yet Özyakup once again rejected it, and is thought to have asked for guarantees over first-team opportunities.

There have been further lengthy talks recently, but Özyakup felt the club had broken promises made to him when he signed, and the 18-year-old formally broke off talks. He has since began to look at offers elsewhere, but has left the door open should Arsenal change their terms.

He is expected to decide on a club in the next month.

Miyaichi Set For Pre-Season At Arsenal

Ryo Miyaichi is expected back in London this summer for pre-season training with Arsenal, Feyenoord have confirmed. However, the Rotterdam outfit are still hopeful of re-signing him on loan for next season.

Miyaichi joined Feyenoord on loan in January, and has enjoyed a hugely successful time there, scoring three goals in 11 matches and collecting a number of assists. The two clubs have held initial talks over an extension to the loan, but Arsenal have now deferred a decision until the summer.

It’s expected that Ryo will miss out on a work permit this year, despite a possible inclusion in Japan’s squad for the forthcoming Copa America. That means he’s unlikely to play during pre-season, and will almost certainly move on loan against next season.

Feyenoord’s technical director Martin van Geel told AP today that he hopes Arsenal pick the Eredivisie club, with whom they have an unofficial partnership.

”Arsenal will make a decision over Ryo in pre-season. We have to respect that. He will probably not be playing at Arsenal next season due to English rules and regulations. However, it could be that he will be at another European club.

“Of course we hope we can keep him at Feyenoord. He is already settled over here.”‘

There are suggestions in Holland that any deal for Ryo would come down to how much Arsenal will receive in a loan fee, but FIFA agent Carrie Baird, who follows the Dutch transfer market closely, told Young Guns she expects Arsenal and Feyenoord will find an agreement shortly.

“He’s 18, at one the best training environments in the world and he’s learning. If Arsenal reject their loan extension, it goes against everything Arsenal has claimed, with regards to a collaboration with Feyenoord, and that they are not influenced by money.”

“The money is on him staying at Feyenoord.”

Arsenal will ultimately decide that in the summer.