Doncaster Rovers have, this morning, confirmed the news that Young Guns brought you two days ago, that Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has joined the Championship outfit on loan. The leggy utility man has signed for an inital month, with the option for a deal until the end of the season.
Emmanuel-Thomas has gone straight into the Rovers squad to take on Crystal Palace this weekend.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is set for his second loan spell of the campaign after agreeing a switch to Championship side Doncaster Rovers, Young Guns has learnt.
The current January Player of the Month has made significant inroads to the Arsenal first-team since returning from a short spell with Blackpool earlier in the season, including making his debut in the FA Cup at Stoke. Yet two superb run outs for the Reserves, which included a hat-trick against West Ham, proved Jay is ready to make the step up.
The 19-year-old joins Doncaster – who are currently 13th in the Championship table and appear set for a comfortable mid table finish. Manager Sean O’Driscoll has moved to sign the versatile utility man following a nasty injury sustained to star man Brian Stock.
Emmanuel-Thomas arrived in Yorkshire this morning to agree terms and have a medical at the Keepmoat Stadium. He is expected to sign on until the end of the season, although this is yet to be confirmed. Further details are expected in the morning.
As part of Young Guns’ regular work with supporters club’s around the world, we’re delighted to be able to offer our readers the chance to have a question of their choice put to Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva.
The Panathinaikos midfielder turned out over 170 times in the Premier League for the Gunners over six glittering years. He proved to be a real role model to the developing young talent around him, and his love for the club still burns strong. The 33-year-old is in London next week to take part in a friendly for his native Brazil against Ireland at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s Official Brazil Supporters club will meet Gilberto in two weeks time for an exclusive interview. They will cover the usual batch of questions, but we’re looking for something maybe related to the youth aspect at the club. Three of the best questions will be selected and asked to the man nicknamed ‘The Invisible Wall’.
To have your question potentially asked by Gilberto, just leave them in the comment section and we’ll e-mail you a one weeks time to let you know if you’ve been selected. Naturally, please provide your correct e-mail address in the comment form.
Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur midfielder Ingólfur Sigurðsson has now returned to his native Iceland following a one week trial with Arsenal. The technical midfielder spoke to Young Guns to confirm he enjoyed his spell in North London, which included a strike for the Under 16’s on Saturday.
Sigurðsson has been subject of intense interest from club’s all over Europe after breaking through and turning in a handful of eye-catching performances in the Úrvalsdeild League. Both Arsenal and Manchester United offered him trials, with the 17-year-old deciding on joining the Gunners for training.
Ingólfur signed for KR – Iceland’s oldest and most prestigious club – after a season In Holland with Heerenveen. Last term he played three times in the first-team and showed enough promise to be named in the squad for the current campaign. ‘Ingo’ can play in any attacking position, but he is most at home as a left-sided central midfielder or on the wing.
Speaking this morning, Sigurðsson told Young Guns that he found the spell ‘great’ and was clearly pleased with the trial, in which Andrey Arshavin took him under his wing and looked after him. When quizzed about his experiences, he revealed:
“The trial went very well, it was really nice to train with a great club like Arsenal.”
“Yes, I scored the goal for Arsenal Under 16’s against Fulham on Saturday. It was great to wear the Arsenal shirt and I’m very pleased that I had the opportunity to train and play for Arsenal for one week.”
“I don’t know if they will sign me, I played very well and I don’t think how I play is a problem. The problem is that I have a contract to my team in Iceland (KR Reykjavik).”
More news is expected shortly as to whether Arsenal take their interest any further.
Very rarely has a teenage signing caused such excitement as Wellington Silva has among Arsenal fans. The powerful Brazilian striker may not complete his move to North London for another 12 months, but he is already proving to be a tantalising prospect. Two goals and an assist during a friendly against Dagenham and Redbridge last month were a glowing example of just why the boy is so highly rated.
There is a selection of video clips of his immense talent, but now you can see more of his build up and general play in this 10 minute compilation. It shows his skills, dribbling, pace, power and of course that lethal finishing. Watch it all below, with thanks to commenter ‘Block 5’.
With a whole host of Arsenal-related merchandise out there, it’s hard to know which item to buy a loved one, or indeed for yourself. Scarves, mugs and replica shirts are all the norm, but with the new No.1 Fan, there really is no need to waste time looking for anything else.
This 23cm tall figure mounted on a stand wears a replica shirt and is perfect as an accessory to any room, or for banter with your friends. He sings, he dances and is excellent for winding up fans of other teams or as a lucky Arsenal mascot. The little fella is great for children and everyone who loves Arsenal. Still not convinced? well No.1 fan is official Arsenal FC merchandise.
He belts out a selection of famous Gooner favourites, including “Good Old Arsenal”, “One Nil To The Arsenal”, “One Team In London”, “We Love You Arsenal” and “Arsenal, Clap, Clap, Clap!”. Priced at £19.99 plus P&P, not only is No.1 fan a great gift, it’s superbly affordable. They also come in a range for different clubs, plus an England World Cup special.
The kind makers of No.1 Fan have given Young Guns one Arsenal fan to give away completely free. What do you have to do to win? it’s simple. Because No.1 Fan sings songs, we’re looking for the imaginative readers out there to create a brand new Arsenal chant. This should be short, but can contain anything Gunners-related. The Young Guns team will select the best one at random.
All you have to do, is send your chant to – youngguns.wordpress@googlemail.com. Alternatively, fill in the form on the Contact page. The subject should be – “Chant”. You’ve got until Wednesday to get your entries into us, and the winner should have their Fan by this time next week. Good Luck!
In the meantime, make sure you check out the No.1 Fan website to check out their whole range plus read their regular blogs. You can also watch videos and download pictures of the Fan.
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Neil Banfield’s Reserves will not be action this evening, after the referee postponed the encounter, citing the poor weather conditions which have affected much of England over night. The Gunners were due to welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to Underhill as they continue their title push, but a thick layer of ice has now been snowed upon, making the conditions treacherous in North London.
Elsewhere, BBC Radio Derby were reporting over the weekend that Gilles Sunu has indeed signed a new Arsenal contract. The Frenchman joined the Rams on Friday afternoon and played most of 1-0 defeat to Swansea at Pride Park. He reportedly spoke to the station after the game where he confirmed he had signed on for an extended period. We will update with further news shortly.
In other news, Under 18 right-back Rhema Obed has been told he is free to find a new club. The powerful defender is another product of the Hale End Academy, but several mistakes and poor performances during his two-year scholarship have seen Liam Brady decide against giving him an improved deal. The prospect is current on trial with Leeds United. Rhema’s current contract expires in May.
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.
In the Premier League – Jack Wilshere was an unused substitute for Bolton Wanderers as they lost 3-0 to Blackburn Rovers. Jack did go and warm up but Manchester City’s Vladmir Weiss was preferred by Owen Coyle.
In the Championship – Jay Simpson played the full game and scored the winner as struggling Queens Park Rangers beat Doncaster Rovers at home. Simpson finished well in the 76th minute after chesting the ball inside the box and finishing across the goalkeeper with a typical strikers finish.
Gilles Sunu featured for the final 65 minutes for Derby County on his debut in a 1-0 defeat to Swansea. The French striker replaced the injured Kris Commons but failed to create anything operating just off Rob Hulse. Gilles was part of a one man wall which failed to block the free kick which Shefki Kuqi grabbed the winner from. Sunu was one of the few Derby players not involved in a late scuffle following a challenge on Robbie Savage.
Henri Lansbury played the complete game for Watford on his return to former loan club Scunthorpe United. In a fierce-some and dogged game, which finished 2-2, Henri had one of his quieter games. Man United loanee Tom Cleverly was sent off for a two-footed tackle on Michael O’Connor.
In League One – Sanchez Watt turned out for 82 minutes for Southend United in their defeat to MK Dons. Sanchez lined up on the left wing but struggled to get involved in a hard fought game.
` Rhys Murphy missed out again through injury.
Elsewhere – Pedro Botelho played the full 90 minutes for Celta Vigo as they beat Cordoba 1-0. Again started on the left of a five man midfield, Pedro continued his good run in the team.
Håvard Nordtveit did not make the Nuremberg squad who lost to Bayern Munich. Kerrea Gilbert’s Peterborough did not face Kyle Bartley’s Sheffield United as the fixture was called off due to bad weather. In League One, Mark Randall and Gavin Hoyte were unused substitute for both MK Dons and Brighton respectively.
Arsenal’s Under 18’s edged a tight encounter with their Fulham counterparts this morning at London Colney. A brace from Chuks Aneke combined with a Roarie Deacon strike gave the Gunners a 3-2 win.
Elsewhere, Steve Gatting’s impressive Under 16’s continued their shaky form by slipping to defeat against the Cottagers. Swiss centre-back Elton Monteiro made his first start at this level after completing his switch from FC Sion.
More to follow.