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Wellington Silva is preparing to fly into North London for pre-season training next month, with Arsenal looking to continue their ‘acclimatization’ of the 17-year-old before he completes his switch to the Gunners in January.

Silva is currently part of the first-team setup with parent-club Fluminense, although he’s been used spairingly by coach Muricy Ramalho this term. A selection of solid substitute appearances has seen the forward add to his rising stock, and although Sierie A is currently taking a break during the World Cup, the Laranjeiras side expect to have their squad together ready for the restart on July 18th. However, clauses inserted in the ownership agreement mean Arsenal are free to recall the prospect at anytime.

Flu’s President Alcides Antunes is desperate to keep the side together, yet he confirmed he is powerless to stop the Brazil Under 17 international from leaving for training in London.

“It’s in the contract. We cannot do anything. I have not received the request yet, but there’s no problem”

Arsène Wenger is keen to run the rule over Wellington during pre-season, and assess how ready he is to compete for a first-team place. A brace and assist during a behind closed door friendly against Dagenham and Redbridge last season in front of the Frenchman was plenty to catch the eye, but how ready he is for the rigours of Premier League football, Wenger is keen to find out.

Due to FIFA ruling, Silva cannot take part in any of Arsenal’s fixtures during pre-season, but competitive training with the first-team will stand the diminutive striker in good stead ahead of his full time switch in January.

Arsenal have confirmed the club’s brand new away kit for next season, while clearest indications of the home shirt have now been leaked. The two brand new jerseys will be worn throughout the club, from the first team to Reserves, Under 18s, Under 16’s and Ladies teams.

The away shirt sees the Gunners revert back to yellow, a colour favoured among Arsenal fans despite it’s previous supposed ‘bad luck’ the team has experienced while wearing it. It’s sleek pin stripe effect in an understated maroon break up the yellow and add a modern effect to this very traditional top.

The home shirt has not yet been confirmed but again it’s expected to have a traditional look, with a red body with white sleeves. Splashes of either colour invade different sections, with a white collar and red tipped arms. A very close interpretation can been seen below, courtesy of @bozo_apparel.

You can view pictures of the shirts below.

Home Shirt – Away Shirt

Arsenal decided not to offer new contracts to eight young prospects last summer, with some decisions more difficult than others. All had experienced some sort of first-team exposure, with only one not getting any first-team minutes. So where are they now – a year on?

Amaury Bischoff – Amaury claimed he had offers from Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica when released by Arsenal, but he eventually signed for mid tabled Académica. More injury complaints continued and he only managed one start, but was subbed off at half time. That said, he did feature three times in the League Cup before being loaned to second division side Aves. A further 8 appearances and one goal brought a successful end to another struggling season.

Vincent van den Berg – Currently playing amateur football for Excelsior Maassluis, Vincent has rejected offers from other amateur clubs to stay with Excelsior for next season. A selection of good performances have been mixed with the usual injury problems.

Rui Fonte – Returned to Sporting Lisbon but immediately loaned to Vitória Setúbal. Rui struggled for game time, making only start while 11 other appearances came from the bench. He failed to score any goals and is set to return to Sporting in the summer where he faces an uncertain situation.

James Dunne – The tenacious defensive midfielder joined Exeter City after leaving Arsenal. Following a sluggish start, he went on to play 18 times, scoring three excellent goals as The Grecians avoided relegation with an 18th place finish. Although he collected his usual red and yellow cards throughout his first term, he remains a firm favourite at St James’ Park.

Rene Steer – Full back Rene turned down a selection of offers to join Oldham Athletic. However, just weeks into his time with the Latics, an elbow in the mouth left the youngster needing surgery on a badly broken jaw and “serious” damage to his teeth. He eventually returned but first-team minutes has been hard to come by. Most of Steer’s football has been played in the Reserves last season.

Abu Ogogo – Popular figure Abu is one of the most successful players of last years released crop. He joined Dagenham and Redbridge on a two year contract, featuring 29 times and scoring two goals as the Daggers won promotion to League One via the Playoffs. A regular at right back, he is now a firm fans favourite and if he can tame his fierce temperament, Ogogo looks set for a solid career in the lower leagues.

Paul Rodgers – Paul returned to Northampton on a full time basis after a loan. After a shaky start, he made 24 appearances last season for the Cobblers, giving him a great start to his first season in League Two. They finished 11th last year and are aiming for promotion for the coming campaign.

Anton Blackwood – An injury hit and mistake ridden two seasons with Arsenal finally saw Blackwood leave. He since joined Tottenham after a trial on a one year deal. A selection of appearances in the Reserves and Under 18’s have seen him impress, but injuries are still an issue. That said, Spurs have given him another chance to show his true potential by offering him another one year deal.

Arsenal are looking into the legal aspects of a possible deal for former Fulham midfielder King Gyan Osei, before deciding whether to pursue an offer, according to SkySports and sources in Ghana.

The 21-year-old defensive midfielder is a free agent after being released by Fulham due to complications with his work permit. Osei joined the Cottagers ahead of Manchester United from the prestigious Hearts of Oak Academy in 2007. After having an application for a visa turned down, he was sent to Belgian outfit Germinal Beerschot on loan for three seasons. He has been regularly returning for training sessions in which Roy Hodgson has been notably impressed.

However, upon application for a E.U visa this summer, Fulham were told the player needed a minimum 12-month residency to attain the documents. After frustration at the further holds up in the transfer, the club decided not to renew his contract and he has since been released. Arsenal have good connections in Ghana and Belgium and have been long term admirers.

A selection of Belgian clubs including Beerschot and Anderlecht have already been in touch but King favours a move to England. SkySports sources claim the Gunners are very keen to complete a deal but reports in Ghana suggest they are taking their time due to the complexity of the work permit rules. Manchester City are also believed to be firmly interested.

Osei is a hard working and very defensive holding midfielder. Despite being only 5’9, he is strong, powerful and fierce in the tackle. In his 36 months with Beerschot, he made 57 appearances, scoring two goals.

Arsenal have paid Feyenoord €700,000 euros as a “training allowance” after signing midfielder Kyle Ebecilio on a free transfer. The Gunners were able to sign the Dutch Under 16 international for nothing due to contractual laws in Holland but the Rotterdam based club were furious at losing one of their brightest prospects.

Laws in the Netherlands state a scholarship contract can not be issued until the player is 17-years-old, a year younger than in England. This meant Arsenal were free to approach and sign Ebecelio, leaving Feyenoord left fuming. Minor officials labelled the transfer “child trafficking” but in a bid to clear the air, a one off payment of €700,000 euros has changed hands.

Kyle will put pen to paper on a scholarship with the Gunners on July 1st, subject to the completion of a medical. He had previously held talks with Chelsea and had reportedly even visited their Cobham training base. However, Arsène Wenger made a personal call to the youngster, reassuring him his future would be in better hands in the North of the capital. A deal was quickly done.

A giant 6 foot central midfielder who can play on the wings, Ebecilio has immense power but superbly quick feet. A set-piece expert, he starred for Feyenoord’s ‘B’ team last season – a level where his cousin Jeffrey Bruma also impressed at before switching to Chelsea in 2007.

At international level, Kyle is regarded as the best in the ranks. He shone in front of a watching Liam Brady in February when his strong run and cross from the right created an own goal against Ireland, a game where fellow new boy Philip Roberts was on the score sheet.

Ebecilio is expected to be a regular for Steve Bould’s Under 18’s next season.

Apparent ‘in house politics’ at Arsenal’s Academy have claimed another victim, with respected goalkeeping coach Alex Welsh leaving the club after 23 years service. Murmurs of discontent between the coaching staff at Hale End and London Colney came to a head in September with Head of Youth scouting Sean O’Connor suddenly quitting his post.

Welsh is one of the most respected goalkeeping coaches in the country, with his DVD guides helping players and coaches alike. Before joining the Gunners, he had stints at both Wimbledon and Brentford where he earned a reputation as a patron of the goalkeeping arts. Aside from that, his work in the community was notable. Work as a county coaching representative for the Football Association and his role as manager of The Douglas Eyre Sports Centre in London earned him mass praise.

However, the growing discontent between staff based in East London at Hale End and Arsenal’s main men at London Colney has claimed two victims in less than a year, and both staunch Arsenal men. O’Connor has since moved on, rejecting a potential switch to Chelsea to join Brentford’s setup, and with it taking his vast range of contacts among outfits around the country and within school sides with him.

The news Welsh has left will no doubt send shocks around London Colney, as he is a highly respected and liked figure around the club, even with players who have not benefited from his coaching enjoying his company. His reputation speaks for itself and there is no doubt Alex  (left of picture) will be missed by all at Arsenal.

For more analysis of Arsenal’s coaching staff, check out Untold Arsenal.

Last week Young Guns asked for you to vote for various player awards to celebrate the achievements of Arsenal’s Reserves and Youth teams during the 2009-2010 campaign. The unofficial ceremony takes place every year. After over 750 responses, we’ve collected the results and you can see yours winners below.

There were six categories and six awards up for grabs, in different sections and aspects of the Reserves & Youth system. They were as follows;

Under 18 Player Of The Year –
Reserve Team Player Of The Year –
Loanee Of The Year –
Signing Of The Year –
Break Through Starlet For Next Year –
Overall Player Of The Year –

Picking up the Academy (Under 18) Player Of The Year award is striker Benik Afobe. With over 393 votes, Benik swept to victory with 54% of the overall vote. Chuks Aneke came second with 160 votes (16%) while Luke Freeman finished third, collecting 93 votes (12%).

Scooping the Reserve Team Player Of The Year award is Craig Eastmond. In a widespread category, Craig stormed to victory with a huge 311 (52%) of votes. Every player nominated got into double figures of votes but Eastmond was the comfortable winner. Nacer Barazite, 62 votes (10%) and Benik Afobe 54 votes(9%) were the runners up.

Wojciech Szczesny takes the Loanee of the Year award in a competitive group. Each player had their own merits, but goalkeeper Szczesny romped to victory with a whopping 329 (55%) of votes. Jack Wilshere came second after 3 months in the Premier League earned him 132 votes (22%). Jay Emmanuel-Thomas’ third place was secured with 55 (9%).

With another giant margin, Martin Angha wins signing of the season. 362 (62%) of all votes cast went to the Swiss centre back, while his fellow countryman Sead Hajrovic finished second with 98 votes (16%). Jamie Edge finished a respectable third with 49 votes enough for 8%.

The inaugural Break Through Starlet For Next Year saw one clear name emerge. Claiming 423 (70%) of all votes cast, Wellington Silva is the name most readers believe will shine in the coming 12 months. Martin Angha 72 votes (12%) and Zak Ansah 65 votes (10%) finished second and third respectively.

So to the big one, the Player of the Year for 2010. This was the tightest category of them all, with just three votes seperating Under 18 Player of the Year Benik Afobe and Reserves Player of the Year Craig Eastmond.

1. Benik Afobe – 197 Votes (32%)
2. Craig Eastmond – 194 Votes (31%)
3. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas – 99 Votes (16%)

Thank you for everybody who voted, if you have any ideas of how to improve the awards or any new categories you would like to see next year leave your comments below.

Arsenal have withdrawn a potential ‘sweetener’ in their hunt for Lorient centre back Laurent Koscielny. Arsène Wenger was willing to allow Francis Coquelin the option to join the Ligue One outfit on loan for the season, if chairman Loic Fery accepted their €8 million bid for Koscielny.

However, Fery has rejected the €8 million offer, and Arsenal have stopped talks over 18-year-old Coquelin’s potential loan move. The two deals were not connected, but the loan was seen as a ‘good will gesture’ between the two clubs. Now, Ivan Gazidis has upped the offer, to a straight cash €10 million bid in the last hour.

Full back Armand Traoré has also been linked as part of any deal for 24-year-old Koscielny, but no players will be included in any future offers.

Samuel Galindo is poised to complete his transfer to Arsenal from Real America, after the Gunners processed the Bolivian midfielders work permit application. The club remain hopeful the Home Office will grant the 17-year-old the visa allowing him to begin his career in North London.

Galindo has been training with Arsène Wenger’s first team since January, when Arsenal stole a march on Everton to secure a provisional deal. However, the move wasn’t sealed as officials wanted to look further into allegations of “age cheating” which originated in the Bolivian press. After satisfying themselves that the youngster was the correct age, the transfer window had shut.

The 6’3 powerhouse signed a development contract in March, meaning he would be added to the payroll at the club but he couldn’t play any games. Instead he trained with the first-team, and was even snapped taking part in a 5 on 5 training match before the Champions League clash with Barcelona.

In May Samuel returned to Bolivia to complete the paperwork required to apply for a Spanish visa, with a loan move to Salamanca on the cards. However, given the successes of Manchester United in securing a visa for Javier Hernandez and Arsenal in doing the same for Emilio Damián Martínez, a similar deal for Galindo could be on the cards.

Alternatively, 36 months spent on loan with a Spanish club appears to be the only other option. After that process is completed, he will earn E.U citizenship, meaning he could return to Arsenal. However, if that’s the route that the left footed maestro must take, he hopes to have earned 75% of available caps for his national team by December 2011, meaning he could return early.

More details to follow.