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Arsenal youngsters James Dunne, Abu Ogogo and Paul Rodgers are expected to find out today if they will be offered contracts by Nottingham Forest, or face an uncertain return to North London.

The trio have now completed a two week trial with the Championship outfit, featuring in Reserve games against Shrewsbury and Lincoln. Manager Colin Calderwood has been present at both fixtures, and told the BBC last week of how Liam Brady phoned up to offer the prospects – following on with the message put forward by Neil Banfield – that the Club will always try and help players find new employment.

Dunne has been the most impressive of the three, although he has been forced to operate on the left hand side of a 4-3-3. Ogogo has made less of an impression, but Calderwood is believed to have been happy with his work rate. Rodgers is also in pole position to win a contract, despite giving away a cheap penalty during the fixture with Lincoln.

Banfield has refused to slam the door shut on the players, telling Arsenal.com that the ball is firmly in their court over their futures.

“It’s not the end for them here, if it doesn’t work out for them at Forest they will come back and carry on training and we will try to help them. If they play well then who knows but we are just giving them another opportunity.

“If they come back they will be available for selection. We have got quite a few lads that we feel might have to find another club”

Should they fail to win terms at Forest, all three will take heart from Rene Steer, he also failed a trial last week, but returned to the Reserves squad for the clash against Stoke.

However, it is widely expected that Nottingham will take at least one of the youngsters, if not them all.

Article By – J.Sanderson

UD Salamanca knew that three points this evening would send them to the summit of the Segunda Division table, although a hard working SD Éibar outfit stood in their way at the Helmántico stadium.

After suffering an extra-time defeat in the Copa Dey Rey in midweek, manager David Armaral was forced to rotate his charges. Pedro Botelho played the complete 120 minutes in that encounter, he was returned to the bench, whilst Håvard Nordtveit was missing due to International commitments.

Torrential rain ahead of kick off warranted panic from both sets of fans, but the down pour stopped shortly before the teams emerged from the tunnel.

Both sides began with some neat early touches, before Salamanca took control of the fixture and probed for the opening goal. Veteran winger Quique Martín had only returned from injury recently, yet his influence was proving crucial. A lofted free kick was headed off the post at Sito Castro, and then Martín’s excellent run and cross presented Gorka Azkorra the chance to open his account for the Union, but he failed to make contact.

A brief spell of pressure from Éibar led to two flapped clearances from home stopper Alberto, until an injury to Isaac meant Salamanca had to make a change, French midfielder Stephen Cohen was introduced.

The half time whistle blew with the scores level, but the second period promised much more.

Indeed, with the second 45 in full flow, Quique Martín stuck the decisive blow, a goal which looked set to send Salamanca to the top of the table.

Salva Sevilla had a further chance to extend the advantage, before Armaral opted to close the game out, Pedro Botelho replaced Azkorra on 65 minutes.

The Brazilians first touch was a delightful flick to beat his marker, but Pedro was kicked to the floor by the frustrated right back. After spending a minute recovering, he shook off the problem. The 18-year-old then took possession of the ball on the left, he jinked past two players before dancing back to the wing, only a lack of space ended the intelligent run.

Operating on the left flank seemed to suit Botelho, who created the next big chance. A swift break saw Cohen reverse a pass down the touchline, ‘Pedrinho’ collected the ball and raced past the full back until he was pressed into a corner. He then bounced off two challenges and worked space for a right footed cross, Martín failed to climb high enough.

Éibar forced Alberto into action from a free kick won after Pedro’s clip on Martinez, although he more than made up for it by charging down the resulting shot. A late flurry from the visitors had Salamanca holding on, yet the majority of the supporters at the Helmántico stadium would go home happy, especially after a late penalty was awarded.

Mikel Dañobeitia was pulled down in the box attempting to glance in Cohen’s cross, Quique Martín drilled home the resulting spot kick to seal the points, and send the Union top of the table.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Manchester City have signed Arsenal defender Oliver Nicholas on scholarship forms after the England Youth International opted to quit North London in a bid to further his development.

Nicholas only signed a new deal with the Gunners during the summer, becoming a full time player. But despite helping the Under 16’s to victories in the Atalanta and Zinédine Zidane Tournaments respectively, he has found places in Steve Bould’s Group winning Under 18’s a much tougher proposition.

Oliver had no guarantees of a professional option when his contract expires in 18 months time, yet Man City have promised to turn the deal pro on his 17th birthday. They also offered the 16-year-old a place in their Under 18’s, with Reserves football an option before the season is out.

The transfer sees a small amount of compensation change hands between the two Clubs, with Nicholas due to start a new chapter of his career on Monday morning.

Bould has called upon his services just once this term – against Reading – but Ollie has struggled with Luke Ayling, Anton Blackwood, and Thomas Cruise currently ahead in the pecking order, and promising starlets Rhema Obed, Daniel Boateng and Ignasi Miquel showing signs of greater potential.

Everybody at Young Guns would like to wish Oliver the very best in the future at Man City.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal’s Under 18’s avoided a potential banana skin this afternoon by salvaging a point against a talented and hard working Fulham outfit at Motspur Park.

Fulham have always offered a fantastic challenge to Bould’s boys – indeed, it took a late Thomas Cruise strike to rescue a point from the reserve fixture last year. Injuries and International commitments limited the Gunners options ahead of this one, but in form strike pair Luke Freeman and Roarie Deacon offered a dangerous strike force, they had 5 from the last 3 between them.

Shea
Obed – Blackwood – Bartley – Evina
Frimpong – Ayling (c) – Eastmond – Rasmussen
Deacon – Freeman

Subs – Sam Byles – Benik Afobe

The early stages were of a physical and scrappy nature, the new formation was clearly being adjusted to by the youngsters. The competitive style of some of the challenges added up to a great spectacle, until two mistimed and dangerous collisions robbed Arsenal of the services of goalkeeper James Shea and striker Luke Freeman.

Luke Ayling was forced to play between the sticks, Sam Byles took his place in the middle. Freeman’s injury meant Benik Afobe was free to make his debut up front, his impressive form finally warranting a promotion.

The horrendous bad luck would continue as Fulham snatched the lead, and despite some rallying from the visitors, Gary Brazil’s team took the advantage into the half time interval.

However, one of the Gunners’ most vital weapons in recent weeks had been the team talk at the break, Bould’s wise words paid dividends as Benik Afobe thumped a firm header into the corner to level the game, setting up an exciting finish.

Afobe and Rasmussen had Fulham scrambling to hold on, before Benik’s neat effort was cleared off the goal line with the keeper’ beaten. It finished 1-1 at Motspur Park, a potential defeat was safely avoided, butt Arsenal will feel disappointed they had failed to take the points late on.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal defender Håvard Nordtveit proved the inspiration for Norway’s Under 19’s yesterday, as the Salamanca loanee notched a influential brace during the 4-2 victory over Slovenia.

Nordtveit is regarded as one of the most promising starlets in Norwegian football, and has subsequently missed Salamanca’s League fixtures due to commitments with his country. Things got off to an almost perfect start as Jo Inge Berget put the hosts into a lead, until Slovenia bagged two quick fire strikes to complete a comeback before the half hour mark.

With half time approaching rapidly, Håvard managed to snaffle the ball home from a corner to send the two teams into the break on level terms.

A nervous second period brought little chances, but Nordtveit crashed in a second with 6 minutes left. There was just enough time to seal proceedings, IK Start’s Mads Stokkelien adding his name to the score-sheet.

You can read pre-match quotes from Nicklas Bendtner ahead of his match with Denmark’s Under 21’s, over at Nicklas Bendtner News, a full report will also be available shortly after full time.

Article By – J.Sanderson

England Under 19’s secured a safe passage into the UEFA European Championships this evening with a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland, and like the Under 16’s a week before, it was the Arsenal boys who played influential roles.

Ireland began the brighter of the two sides, with Port Vale’s James Lawrie capitalising on poor defending from Jordan Spence to lash his team into a 4th minute lead.

Victor Moses and Rhys Murphy were stirred into action as England hit back, Moses’ sharp turn resulted in a corner, before Murphy’s tremendous drive ended up in the stand. However, the pressure eventually tolled, Kieran Trippier had his shot parried out, Lansbury was the grateful recipient to smash into the net from 20 yards.

England maintained the onslaught at the struggling Irish keeper Devlin, Gavin Hoyte’s burst from the back saw him cross for Moses, a finger tip save denied the come back.

The game would take a sensational twist on 38 minutes, Murphy’s side footed finish was instinctively handled on the line by Nathan Hanley, the Hull man was sent off and a penalty given. Captain Lansbury angled his effort over Devlin to make it 2-1, Henri’s second of the evening, and third in two fixtures.

The Half Time interval came and went with more dominance from England, the game should have been safe when Delfouneso was picked out by Lansbury, but the crucial third proved illusive.

Up the other end, Tommy Stewart twisted and turned inside Rodwell and Hoyte, until he stumbled and poked wide. But should there have been any doubts regarding the result, they were soon squashed.

Delfouneso exploded into space on the half way line, his perfect through ball found Murphy in the box, the 17-year-old applied a calm finish to complete the scoring on 83 minutes.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was an unused substitute, but other than that, it was a perfect night for the Arsenal connection, who can now look forward to facing Serbia on Monday, the winners of that encounter will go through as Group winners.

Article By – J.Sanderson

With the difficult patch now firmly behind them, Arsenal’s table topping Under 18’s travel to Fulham on Saturday looking to improve on last seasons result – a hard fought 1-1 draw.

The clash at Motspur Park will be the third successive London Derby for Bould’s boys, with the youngsters out playing the opponents on both previous occasions, yet this hasn’t been reflected on the scoreline. Fulham are one of many up and coming outfits with promise, they boast former Arsenal defender Keanu Marsh-Brown, and will offer a difficult challenge.

Injuries and International duty are slowly tearing holes into the squad, but quantity is more than made up for with quality. Luke Freeman and Rorie Deacon have taken full advantage of Sanchez Watt’s injury and Rhys Murphy’s England commitments, Deacon has three in as many matches, while Freeman has two from his last two.

With a handful of players away with their countries this week, Bould will be forced to delve into the Under 16’s for reinforcements, meaning Benik Afobe, Chuks Aneke, Daniel Boateng and Joshua Rees could all be granted debuts on the bench.

Predicted Starting XI

Shea
Obed – Ayling (c) – Blackwood – Cruise
Rasmussen – Byles – Eastmond – Sunu
Deacon – Freeman

Fulham have encouraged their fans to visit Motspur Park for the encounter, so a large gathering is expected for an often hugely entertaining fixture. Kick off is at 11am, with a full Match Report available shortly after full time.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal youngsters Sanchez Watt and Conor Henderson are set to spend the next months on the sidelines, after the pair suffered shocking injuries during Septembers fixtures.

Henderson suffered cruciate knee ligament damage on his Reserves debut at Portsmouth, leaving the Ireland Under 19 International spending his 17th birthday in agony. Conor had looked impressive during the 5 minute cameo, yet following a jostle with Glenn Little in the corner, the elegant play-maker ended the evening by being carried off the pitch.

“I came on as a substitute and was really looking to make a good impression on my debut. With about five minutes of the game to go I went to make a turn but my boots got stuck in the turf. My knee then twisted and the damage was done.”

With the surgery now complete to correct the problem, Conor faces 6-9 months on the touchlines looking to build up his fitness, with pre-season training the firm objective for his return.

He will not be left in the gym alone however, as live-wire winger Sanchez Watt will also be spending time working on his recovery, following a broken leg against West Ham.

The injury came about after a clash with the Hammers goalkeeper during the 2-1 victory at London Colney. Watt’s leg became trapped during a 1-1, resulting in Sanchez’s momentum causing his tiba to fracture.

A fractured tiba is not the most complex of leg breaks, but it looks set to rob Steve Bould of the versatile starlet for around 3-6 months.

These two major problems – combined with several little issues, leave Bould struggling for options ahead of tomorrow’s Under 18 encounter at Fulham. A full Match Preview of that game will be available later this evening.

Article By -J.Sanderson

Arsenal midfielder Oğuzhan Özyakup is set to captain the Dutch Under 17 team during the forthcoming European and World Championship qualifiers, despite being the only Netherlands player not based in his native country.

Özyakup wore the armband for the first time against Germany in a friendly last month, and has now put himself in pole position to keep the job on a full time basis, something the former AZ Alkmaar starlet is enthusiastic about.

“It brings with it a whole new honour. If you’re the captain then you must lead the team and be professional, that’s on and off the pitch.”

“I would love to remain as the captain, but that decision rests with the coach. I am completely focused on my game, and I will play all my matches well – with or without the armband.”

Three goals so far this season show how quickly Oğuzhan has adapted to life in London, with the 16-year-old listing Emmanuel Frimpong – who he lives with – and Mikael Silvestre as key to helping the transition go as smoothly as possible.

“I am enormously happy, but it’s very different to what I had expected”

“In the summer we played together in the Under 16’s, so I already knew Emmanuel. I think it would be great to play with him again this year, that would be really nice”

“The first team players are always great with you, sometimes they even have a little chat. I was using the Gym at the same time as Mikael Silvestre, he was asking how long I had been here, and how I was finding it. It was a really nice conversation.”

Having already gained International experience with the Under 17’s this summer, Özyakup is considered one of the brightest stars in Holland. However, he has his eyes firmly fixed on a starting birth during this years competition, having been used as a sub during the previous campaign.

“It’s always great to come back to the Netherlands, playing for my country is very important to me.”

“I was glad I was with the squad, but in a tournament like this, you want to play. I just want to make the finals this year.”

The tournament promises to be another cracker this year, with Özyakup primed to be the first of many young Gunners to transform excellent Club form onto the International scene.

Article By – J.Sanderson