News

Armand Traoré – Portsmouth 2-1 Stoke City

Harry Redknapp described Arsenal loanee Armand Traoré as a ‘Absolutely fantastic player’ and a ‘Nightmare’ to play against this afternoon, as the Frenchman combined well with Nadir Belhadj to help Portsmouth edge a win against Stoke City.

Traoré has been an ever present since his loan move during the summer, and although Redknapp admitted he was keen to try and sign Armand on a permanent basis, he told SkySports News that there was ‘No Chance’ of the Gunners letting the fleet-footed starlet leave.

A stunning over-head kick from Peter Crouch gave the hosts the lead 25 minutes, yet Stoke levelled after half time via a Rory Delap flicked on long throw, which Ricardo Fuller converted. Jermain Defoe’s excellent strike sealed the fixture, yet Traoré nearly added the third after being put through 1-1 with City keeper’ Steve Simonsen, he was booked after coming out of his box and clattering into the 18-year-old.

Armand’s pace, trickery, and neat interplay caught the eye, but after playing extra time in midweek, he was taken off in stoppage time. An exciting game for everybody who watched, with Gooners surely delighted about the former Monaco man’s development.

Havard Nordtveit & Pedro Botelho – Salamanca 0-1 Gimnastic

Havard Nordtveit played his last League game for the next two weeks this afternoon as UD Salamanca’s excellent start to the season ended with a defeat to Gimnastic.

A single goal from Redondo proved to be enough, leaving David Armaral’s side assessing there options with January approaching. Nordtveit was subbed off after playing a particularly poor game in the midfield, he is still adapting to life in Spain, and playing out of position is doing him no favours.

Pedro Botelho did not feature, he is yet to regain a place in the team since his debatable handball cost The Union two points 3 weeks ago.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Although Arsenal’s Under 18’s romped away with the points against Chelsea on Saturday, the Gunners’ Under 16’s suffered from International duty – going down 4-1 at Hale End.

England Under 16’s Victory Shield campaign robbed Steve Gatting of Chuks Aneke, Josh Rees and leading scorer Benik Afobe, whilst four of his regulars were called into the Under 18’s. Jason Banton was released last month, this left depleted options, 14-year-old Zak Ansah plugged the gap.

However, new boys Ignasi Miquel and Oğuzhan Özyakup were available for selection, they were both in the goals last week, Özyakup would act as the link up man behind Ansah.

A rampant Chelsea thumped four past keeper’ Charlie Mann, yet Oğuzhan made it 2 in as many fixtures with a tidy finish.

The defeat will come as a frustration to Gatting with his sides’ stunning recent form, but with their being no League standings and with half of the team missing, better things are certainly ahead.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal starlet Jack Wilshere has been heaped with praise during his rise to stardom, but nobody has quite gone as far as Philippe Auclair, with the London based Music Producer turned Journalist describing the 16-year-old as ‘Astonishing’.

In a highly charged interview with our friends over at Gooner Talk, Auclair speaks of the moments where he first watched Wilshere, that infamous challenge with Michel Salgado, and what qualities Jack possess.

“Wilshere is, of course, phenomenal. Even Steve McLaren or Sam Allardyce would see that. I’d seen him in a couple of reserve games last year, but what really made me go (gasp) was his performance against Real Madrid at the Emirates Cup, and that big bang moment with Salgado, who is one tough customer.”

“I was expecting the stretcher to be brought on. But young Jack got up before Salgado! What a statement!. His balance is magnificent, he reads the game astonishingly well for one so young, and knows when to go for the simple sideways pass. Never does he look downwards. There’s something of Rooney in him too. This ‘don’t mess with me’ look – I love it.”

“I have no doubt whatsoever that he’s the greatest natural talent we’ve had on this island.”

He continued by speaking about other members of the Carling Cup squad, touching on the emergence of the central midfield pairing of Aaron Ramsey and Mark Randall.

“Ramsey looks very, very promising, but will have to learn to take fewer touches. Randall was magnificent against Sheffield United: positioning, tackling, distribution, he had an almost perfect game, which I don’t think most people realised at the time.”

Auclair finished with brief words on goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, left back Kieran Gibbs and striker Jay Simpson, before summing up the overall feeling towards the youngsters.

“Fabianski looks the business in goal, and Gibbs has huge potential, provided he doesn’t rely too much on his speed to re-position himself; Clichy had a similar ‘problem’, but has overcome it.”

“Simpson will make a fine pro, but maybe not at Arsenal. All in all, a tremendous crop of youngsters, by far the best in the country.”

You can catch the whole of the second part of the interview over at Gooner-Talk later today, or the first part Here.

Article By – J.Sanderson

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.

In this update you can read about the following players in the following games.

Reports:

Nacer Barazite – Derby 1-1 Norwich City (62 Minutes)
Kerrea Gilbert – Leicester 3-2 Huddersfield (90 Minutes)

Previews:

Havard Nordtveit & Pedro Botelho – UD Salamanca V Gimnastic
Armand Traore – Portsmouth V Stoke City

Read more →

Arsenal’s Under 18’s got back to winning ways this afternoon by seeing off a struggling Chelsea side 2-0 at London Colney, bringing to an end the difficult times the Gunners had experienced at home.

Injuries and Reserves action had robbed Steve Bould of some of his best players, yet the in form Deacon and Freeman would pose a threat in attack. Rhema Obed and Sam Byles continued in the side, which sees Gilles Sunu shake of injury to start.

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

Subs: Frimpong – Bartley – Cruise – Nicholas.

Chelsea came straight out of the traps at Arsenal, but a competitive midfield battle saw neither side impose themselves. Gilles Sunu’s lashed effort was the best chance of the first 20 minutes, Eastmond also went close with a long range chance.

However, eventually the high line the Blues possessed was caught out with Deacon sent through, the youngster barged of the defender before slotting home to hand the hosts a 38th minute lead. Deacon was in the thick of things again on 45, his corner found Freeman who saw his header punched over.

The half time break seemed to fire up the youngsters, and it was Arsenal who used the momentum to their advantage. Another Deacon corner was glanced back by Rasmussen, the arriving Freeman got their first to flick home number two.

Ramussen, Evina, Sunu and Deacon had chance at the end for number 3, but it finished 2-0, a fantastic result for the Gunners.

Article By – J.Sanderson

He is regarded by Arsenal fans as one of the most exciting young players in the country, and this evening the profile of Benik Afobe went international as the youngster bagged his first goals for his country in the opening fixture of the SkySports Victory Shield against Northern Ireland.

Benik was joined by Hale End colleagues Josh Rees and Chuks Aneke in the England Under 16’s squad, the latter joined Afobe in the starting XI. Despite playing out of position, Aneke burst inside from the right on two occasions, the first drawing a save following a long range shot.

Yet the threat possessed by the Lions were evident, and after Cormac Burke faltered in possession, the rampant striker Benik was onto the ball in a flash to coolly slot home.

A shot and a half hearted cross would come next, but the hosts were JUST holding on. The half time whistle saw Aneke replaced on the right flank, Rees also came on. The adjustment helped prise open the flood gates.

Afobe’s pressure brought an own goal straight after the re-start, Ross Barkley made the win safe with a third via his head. From then on it was all about the young Gunner. He completed a brace by latching onto Garbutt’s pass for 4-0, capping off a perfect evening.

A smart save denied the striker a dream hat-trick, before he was rested in place of Jake Fowler. The Boro’ hit-man got number 5, Man Utd’s Ra’vel Morrison completed the emphatic victory late on.

A fantastic result and performance for England, and as the famous saying goes…. ‘This Boy Can Play’

Article By – J.Sanderson

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is Young Guns Player Of The Month for September 2008 after the leggy youngster helped guide Steve Bould’s Under 18’s through a tricky spell and straight to the top of the League.

The month began on the 1st of September with a place on the bench for the Reserves opener against Chelsea, although he did not get onto the pitch as Banfield’s boys slipped to a 3-2 defeat. Just 5 days later Jay made up for the defeat by captaining the Under 18’s to a 4-0 romp over Bristol City, maintaining the great form from last season.

Sandwiched in between his matches for Arsenal was a substitute appearance for the England Under 19 team, but it was team mate Rhys Murphy who stole all the credit that evening.

A further game during a behind closed doors fixture at Fulham built his confidence, before Thomas flicked home the opener in a 1-1 draw at Coventry days later. Another goal would arrive during the next encounter at Reading, all leading up to a Reserves start at Underhill with the Champions Aston Villa in town.

In all fairness he did have an absolute nightmare all night, but his previous excellent form warranted the award. There are still some attitude issues which need to be resolved with Jay, yet he is proving an important addition as the new scholars find their feet.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal Reserve team outcasts James Dunne, Abu Ogogo, Paul Rodgers and Rene Steer have all played their last games in a Gunners shirt and are now fighting to save their futures with lower league outfits Nottingham Forest and Cheltenham Town.

Championship side Nottingham have had Dunne, Ogogo and Rodgers for the next few weeks – and they all played for the Reserves against Shrewsbury this afternoon. Defender Rene Steer joined former former Leicester City full back Darren Kenton on a run out for Cheltenham on Tuesday, he played the total game during a 1-0 defeat to Bristol City.

The foursome all featured during the first teams friendly at Barnet in pre-season, but they are yet to push themselves on into Arsene Wenger’s Carling Cup squad, with the exception to Ogogo who has one unused substitute appearance to his name.

Ogogo played right midfield, Rodgers right back and Dunne in the centre of the midfield as Forest won 2-1 this afternoon, they all followed Steer in playing 90 minutes.

Decisions are yet to made on their futures, yet they will all become first team players should they pen terms with the respective clubs.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin really has taken the road to the top the hard way, yet the mature Frenchman is not prepared to forget about his roots.

Coquelin, 17, started with minnows AS Bourny before his switch to division 2 side Stade Lavallois, where he was picked up by the Gunners scouts. He is now living the dream at Arsenal after making his first team debut during the 6-0 Carling Cup victory over Sheffield United, and ‘Sisco’ was awarded by his first Club last month.

Bourny president Roland Grimault (pictured) met with Francis whilst he was training with the French national team, and had only praise for his former prospect.

“He started with us when he was 10-years-old, and at 13 he joined the training centre at Lavallois, and now he is with Arsenal, in London, England.”

“Francis is definitely one of the best 10 players in the French Under 17 team.”

The tenacious and physical holding midfielder has already settled in well – and has become an instant hit with the fans, with only experience left to be added to a growing list of talents.

Coquelin was honoured by directors and past players at the Bourny festival, and yes he is destined for the very top, but it’s testament to his character that he has not forgotten the very people who gave him his first steps in the game.

Article By – J.Sanderson