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Ex Arsenal forwards Jason Banton and Marc Elston have found new employment in the last two weeks, with the pint sized duo attempting to resurrect their once promising futures.

Jason was released last month after a difficult couple of seasons with the Gunners, which saw him join Tottenham in January, before returning to London a month later. However, despite winning two Cups with the Under 16’s over the summer, further confrontations with the coaching staff saw the 16-year-old out on his ear.

Trials with Manchester City and Liverpool both came to an end with no developments, yet Paul Ince’s Blackburn Rovers have now agreed terms with the winger. It’s expected that the final details will be thrashed out in time for the weekend, giving the former England Youth International the chance to battle for a place in the Rovers Under 18 team on Saturday morning.

Whilst Banton has found himself instantly back in the game, another former Arsenal player – Marc Elston – has had a much tougher time since his release 18 months ago. Wycombe and Livingston rejected the opportunity to have a look at the former sprinter, with injuries putting off both outfits.

After finally recovering from his year long muscle problems, Elston is looking to rebuild his career with Rymain Premier League side Leatherhead Town. Marc made his debut in the FA Trophy fixture against Sittingbourne at the weekend, and an assist in a 2-1 victory showed he was clearly getting back to his best.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury sealed victory for England Under 19’s this afternoon with a fantastic header to help secure a 3-0 win for the Lions in the opening qualifying fixture for next summers European Championships.

Lansbury has had a difficult few weeks, summed up after his red card against Aston Villa for a terrible two footed lunge. But it’s been captaining his country where Henri’s real qualities have come to fruition, and after he glanced home the final of the three goals on 79 minutes, the 17-year-olds top performances show no sign of ending.

Manchester United’s Danny Drinkwater bagged the opener, Rhys Murphy’s strike partner Nathan Delfouneso made it 2-0, before Lansbury stuck the decisive third.

Gavin Hoyte, Rhys Murphy and Henri all started the fixture, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was named among the substitutes. 6 points from the next games against Northern Ireland and Serbia should all but secure a place in the next qualifying round, the Arsenal quadruple are all expected to be heavily involved.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Amaury Bischoff made his much anticipated Arsenal debut on Monday evening, but whilst many left the ground or turned off their streams/televisions, little did they know of what was going on outside Underhill.

Bischoff played a little under an hour on his first run out of the season, operating in his favourite ‘number 10’ position behind strikers Rui Fonte and Jay Simpson. Whilst it was his first game in several months, the Portuguese Under 21 International showed some neat, positive and intelligent touches, but drifted in and out of proceedings as time ticked down.

Neil Banfield spoke about his technical qualities before and after the game, yet after the full time whistle yesterday – Amaury proved he is already adapting to life in London.

Wearing a thick woolly hat and a large coat, the 21-year-old left Underhill only to climb aboard the wrong coach. He sat in the Stoke City team bus, clearly oblivious to the fans who were shouting instructions to the Frenchman.

Eventually he realised his mistake, and showed good spirits as he finally found the Gunners coach, even enthusing in a joyful spirit – ‘Fucking Hell!’.

It turned out to be an interesting night for the youngsters, with Jay Simpson leaving the dressing room late and being forced to walk home. In all fairness to the striker, he was more than happy to chat about all matters Arsenal with the fans, after all, he is a Gooner.

Away from those antics, Mikael Silvestre applauded the performances of the Reserve players, and confirmed he came through the 90 minutes without any problems.

Luke Ayling, Francis Coquelin and the aforementioned Silvestre were all recipient’s of praise from the manager, you can read what was said Here.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Since bagging a fantastic double for England in the opening fixture of the SkySports Victory Shield last week, Benik Afobe‘s rapidly growing profile has hit over-load.

The 15-year-old returns to action for the Arsenal Under 16’s this weekend, yet the captain will now be a known man among the opposition, as the Gunners travel to Motspur Park to face Fulham. His two goals were really well taken as Afobe’s showed his calmness and intelligence with both efforts, lauding praise from the Sky commentary team.

For those who did not get a chance to watch Benik, nor team mates Chuks Aneke and Josh Rees, you can see extended highlights of the game below.

Click Here To Watch The Highlights

Article By – J.Sanderson

Relegation threatened League One outfit Cheltenham Town have decided against signing Arsenal Reserves left back Rene Steer following a trial last week, with the Luton born youngster making up the numbers on the bench at Underhill last night.

Steer is among four players who have been told they have no futures with the Club, yet Head Of Youth Development officer Liam Brady arranged him the chance of employment with Cheltenham last week. Rene completed 90 minutes during a Reserves game at Bristol City, but failed to impress new manager Martin Allen.

Allen has already bolstered his squad with the loan signings of Lewis Montrose (Wigan) and Josh Payne (West Ham), but handed a run out to the 18-year-old, along with former Leicester City defender Darren Kenton.

The more experienced Kenton has proved his fitness and signed a contract with The Robins, leaving the once promising Steer in the wilderness. Since his time with the Gunners, Armand Traoré, Kieran Gibbs and Pedro Botelho have all jumped ahead in the pecking order, with Under 18’s regular Thomas Cruise the latest prospect to overtake the starlet who featured for the first team over pre-season.

Close friends James Dunne, Abu Ogogo and Paul Rodgers are all at Nottingham Forest trying to earn a contract, they are expected to learn their fate by the end of the week.

A lack of bodies meant Rene was a surprise call up for Neil Banfield’s side last night, summed up by the fact he didn’t even warm up once. It’s unknown how long he will remain on the payroll with Arsenal, although plenty of Club’s are certain to be keen on a young Gunner.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Neil Banfield accused some of his players of ‘thinking they are better than they are’ last week against Aston Villa, so this evenings Reserves League South clash at home to Stoke was more about restoring pride than the points.

The second string were boosted with first team debutant’s Mikael Silvestre and Amuary Bischoff, Francis Coquelin also returned. Szczesny replaced Mannone between the sticks, whilst injuries and International duty left a depleted number of bodies for selection.

Szczesny
Ayling – Bartley – Silvestre – Gibbs
Randall (c) – Coquelin – Wilshere
Bischoff
Simpson – Fonte

Subs – Shea – Steer – Eastmond – Frimpong – Sunu

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Reserves League South returns this evening with Neil Banfield’s second string hoping to give a much needed uplift to Arsenal fans, who have had a difficult few weeks.

Indeed, even at this level Banfield’s usually rampant Gunners have struggled, a 4-1 thumping at the hands of Aston Villa last week left a sour taste in the mouth, the second defeat of the campaign. Chelsea are the only other visitors to Underhill this season, they also walked away with the points on Match Day one.

International duty and a string of injuries have left gaping holes in the squad, they are filled tonight by first team members Mikael Silvestre and Amaruy Bischoff. Luke Ayling earns his first start of the season at right-back, with Craig Eastmond and Gilles Sunu named on the bench.

Rene Steer returns to London after failing his trial at Cheltenham, the impressive Emmanuel Frimpong sits alongside him on the bench.

Bischoff is only expected to get an hour at the most on his debut, whilst Silvestre asked to feature – probably in the knowledge of Arsene Wenger’s imminent presence.

Confirmed Starting XI

Szczesny
Ayling – Bartley – Silvestre – Gibbs
Bischoff – Coquelin – Randall – Wilshere
Fonte – Simpson

Subs : – Shea, Steer, Eastmond, Sunu, Frimpong.

Stoke may be Premiership new boys, but they boast an extremely strong team for the 7pm kick off. England Under 21 starlets Andrew Davies and Tom Soares are included, striker Vincent Pericard was once on the books of Juventus, and in two former Man Utd boys Ryan Shawcross and Danny Pugh, a quality encounter is expected.

Young Guns predicts a 2-1 scoreline this evening, with the lack of in form strikers proving the potential down fall against an experienced City team.

Prediction – Arsenal 1-2 Stoke City

The game will kick off at 7pm but coverage starts in the live channel from 6.30pm with all the pre-match build-up and team news. For those who miss our live video stream of Monday’s game, extended highlights and post-match reaction will be available on Tuesday.

Should you not have access to any of these things, a full Match Report will be available seconds after Full Time on Young Guns.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Italian Sports Agency Pasqualin D’Amico have opted to play mind games in the pursuit of Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshere, by claiming that they are oblivious of any interest in the 16-year-old.

Young Guns first revealed that Jack had been targeted by the famous Italy based agency 3 weeks ago, an interest which was confirmed by a representative of the company, Alfredo Pasini. However, one of the main partners, Claudio Pasqualin, has performed an astonishing U-turn by denying the whole story.

“I think he’s a good player and it would be good to bring him to Italy, but for now we aren’t interested.

“I don’t have any real interest in him at the moment and I don’t think my partner Dr (Andrea) D’Amico does either.”

Yet Pasini e-mailed the website on the 23rd of September, saying P&D were ‘Very Interested’ and even going as far as saying they were planning a meeting. You Can view a Print-Screen shot of the mail Here.

Connections between the outfit and Inter Milan has seen Wilshere linked with a move, although this is all but impossible. Jack has an agreement in his scholarship that means his deal will turn professional on his 17th birthday, but even if he remains at Arsenal the agency are still keen to add the diminutive starlet to their impressive books.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal midfielder Fran Mérida Perez was on target twice yesterday evening as Spain Under 19’s thrashed Belarus 4-0 to all but seal a place in next summers European Championships.

Fran played the 90 minutes against the Faroe Islands last week, a 5-0 victory in that fixture set the tone ahead of this one, and the rampant Spaniards showed no sign of taking things easy.

Within the first 15 minutes a Mérida double had stunned the hosts – and with it – all but secured the win. The two efforts offered security to Luis Milla’s team, who would then step up a gear – with deadly consequences. Dani Aquino made it three in two games, before Rochela sealed proceedings.

The 6 points should be enough to make sure España play in finals, with the aim clearly being to progress from the group. Mérida’s absence from the opening game of last years competition showed, and although the 18-year-old returned with an assist and a goal, the damage was already done.

Better is expected next year, and with Fran already getting Carling Cup experience this term with Arsenal, he is set to be one of the star performers of the Tournament.

Article By – J.Sanderson