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Whilst Arsène Wenger was calling for greater protection for young players from referees during the past month, Arsenal’s second string damaged his calls by kicking lumps out of Aston Villa as the Reserves went down 4-1 to the South League Champions.

The defeat was thoroughly deserved with Banfield’s experimental Under 18 team being tormented and frustrated as Villa romped to a comfortable victory. The goals were all avoidable and the absence of Havard Nordtveit is clearly showing, in terms of leadership and defensive abilities.

But defeats are an important part of development, and with young players comes frequent levels of inconstancy, something Banfield will no doubt know. However, last night the reputation of the Club was damaged as the youngsters turned into the type of players Wenger spoke about, by going into tackles with the intention to harm the opponent, in front of thousands in the watching media.

Mark Randall, Jack Wilshere and Kyle Bartley all made dangerous tackles, and all three could have been sent off on another night. The evening was completed when Henri Lansbury made a horrible lunge at Bary Banan and was shown an immediate red card.

Now before readers come out and say the usual – ‘they are only kids, they make mistakes’ – these are players who are paid by the Club, they have been awarded for among many things, maturity. Three of the four culprits are on professional contacts and all have featured for the first team, yet they lost their heads and made an already difficult evening even worse.

On many occasions teams have been on the opposing end of an Arsenal drubbing – and although physical – a lot of teams are on the whole fair. The young Gunners let themselves down yesterday evening, almost writing off the previous achievements in the Carling Cup.

Young Guns welcomes your opinions on this subject…

Article By – J.Sanderson

A win and a defeat leaves Arsenal’s Reserves with mixed form ahead of tonight’s clash against a strong Aston Villa outfit, with Neil Banfield looking to build on his sides encouraging 1-0 win over Portsmouth last week.

The Carling Cup offered a showcase for five of this starting XI this evening, yet James Dunne and Fran Merida missed out with internationals and injuries. Thomas Cruise and Emmanuel Frimpong earned their first starts for the Reserves, whilst Jay Emmanuel-Thomas also came in after impressive form for the Under 18’s, although his last second string game saw him make an error which cost the opening goal.

Mannone
G.Hoyte (c) – Bartley – Thomas – Cruise
Lansbury – Frimpong – Randall – Wilshere
Fonte – Simpson

Subs: Szczesny – Ayling – Freeman – Murphy

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Arsenal’s Under-18’s fought a scrappy 2-1 win over a dogged West Ham side on Saturday morning to climb back to the top of the FA Academy League table and leave a three point gap between them and Crystal Palace.

Changes were visible in the Gunners starting XI with Carling Cup youngsters Emmanuel Frimpong and Jay-Emmanuel Thomas missing out – a probable sign that they will be involved in tomorrow’s Reserve game against Aston Villa.

Shea
Blackwood – Obed – Ayling -Cruise
Sunu – Eastmond – Coquelin – Watt
Murphy – Freeman

Steve Bould’s determined young starlets played out a watchable first half. Sanchez Watt and Rhys Murphy both came close with tame efforts at the Hammers goal.

Things would take a turn for the worse though, a dubious penalty decision mean’t that Anthony Edgar could put the east Londoners ahead through a spot kick just minutes before half time – and he finished it with aplomb.

West Ham looked the better side in all honesty during the first period. Arsenal pressured through their pacey wingers Sunu and Watt, an equaliser was surely on the way.

On 65 minutes, Luke Freeman grabbed the vital goal after a brilliant cross from versatile midfielder Watt.

It didn’t take long for the second either, super-sub Roarie Deacon struck his second goal in consecutive games to hand Arsenal all three points on what proved a fantastic day for Bould’s boys.

Whilst the Under-18’s got back to winning ways, it took a late goal from Dutch starlet Oguzhan Ozyakup for Steve Gatting’s kids to squeeze through over a tough Hammers side.

Benik Afobe continued his free-scoring form while Zack Ansah also got on the scoresheet. Further goals from summer signings Ignasi Miquel and Oguzhan Ozyakup rounded off a good days work for the Gunners.

Article By – Gooner-Chris

Arsenal chief Richard Law flew into Salamanca this week and before he could even settle into his hotel, he came promising gifts for the Gunners partner club during the January transfer window.

Law operates as the link between both the Club’s, and speaking to local newspaper ‘Tribuna de Salamanca’ he confirmed that a deal is progressing well with a young forward, but details will not be announced until the signing is completed.

“A South American striker is very advanced, it’s very interesting but it’s not sealed. The aim is that he will continue his development with Salamanca.

“The player would be on the same level as Carlos Vela, we are talking through some options, they are looking at some videos, and we will see.”

Chairman Miguel Torrecilla has diverted attention away from the new arrival, telling supporters ‘it’s a long way to January’ and ‘We must keeper focused until the end of the season’.

Law is carrying out various checks on how the Academy and the arrangements are progressing, he has also had meetings with both Håvard Nordtveit and Pedro Botelho.

“My visit is to check on our players (Håvard and Pedro) I also wish to share a coffee with Miguel Torrecilla and Juanjo Pascual.

“Relations between the two sides are perfect, the players on loan are an example of that. I speak with the boys two-three times a week, on Wednesday I met Håvard for dinner, both he and Pedro are very happy here. What has pleased me most is that Salamanca are taking special care with their training.”

Richard took time to explain that UDS will not be particpating in the Emirates Cup this year, as Arsenal prefer big names to draw in maximum revenue. He also spoke about the dinner he had with Nordtveit, and his reasons for the surprise loan move.

“Howie’s concept is very simple. He had the option to stay in the Reserves and play in the Carling Cup, or come to Salamanca and fight for a place. He was very brave, and he made a good choice.”

“We are not worried that they are not playing so much, Cesc Fabregas did not play a lot for Spain, but he made a contribution when it mattered. They both have quality, so they will thrive with Arsenal.”

Salamanca’s push for promotion continues this weekend as they take on Castillion, Nordtveit will be looking for valuable minutes before going away Norway, Botelho will also hope for a recall.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Inter Milan’s transfer chief Marco Branca is keeping close tabs on the situation between Jack Wilshere and Italian based Sports Agency Pasqualin D’Amico, with a view to potentially signing the highly rated youngster.

Young Guns first broke news of Pasqualin D’Amico’s interest in the Arsenal play-maker two weeks ago, and although Jack is already with the Base Soccer agency, the company confirmed the news to us last week. Mr D’Amico himself e-mailed the website to admit his interest, and tell us that he is ready to meet the 16-year-old and his parents to thrash out a deal.

We have since learnt that Internazionale’s head of transfers, Branca, has a close association with both partners, and should they manage to tie up the rights to represent the youngster, the former striker will attempt to bring Wilshere to the Italian Champions.

Branca has close connections with England through his time in Middlesbrough, scoring several important goals for Boro’, and is known to be a huge admirer of the Premiership, even bringing in Sulley Muntari from Portsmouth in August.

Jack signed scholar terms during the summer, but the deal is not in danger as the forms have an indefinite option to turn the scholarship into a professional contract on his 17th birthday.

However, regardless of this – Inter believe they can poach the prospect from the Gunners, with Pasqualin D’Amico ready to market the Stevenage born Wilshere with the same ‘Little Magician’ campaign they did with legendary forward Alessandro Del Piero.

In other news, be sure to check out ArseNews’ analysis of the record breaking youngsters from the 6-0 rout over Sheffield United in midweek.

Article By – J.Sanderson & Gooner-Chris

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny has told Polish newspaper ‘Gazeta Wyborcza’ that he intends to spend some time out on loan in the next three seasons, after confirming the details of his new professional deal.

The 18-year-old penned a new three-year-contract with the Gunners last week, and has spoken of what the extension means for him, as well as quashing speculation that he is unhappy in the capital.

“The Club says that the first contract a young player signs is only on the basis of his talent and potential. The second, a professional deal, is the choice of Arsène Wenger. The fact I have got this contract gives me hope that I am in their plans for the future. I feel really fine in London, if this was not the case I would have gone elsewhere”

Wojciech has stepped up a level this campaign in being made the first choice for the Reserves, yet he has kept his role for the Under 18’s, due to a special ‘loop hole’ in the Academy League rules. He continued by saying that being named in the Champions League squad didn’t bother him, because he has firm eyes on being first choice.

“My plan for the next seven years is to become Arsenal’s number one goalkeeper. Therefore, at this point in time, it doesn’t bother me if I am number 3 or number 4 choice. For me, this contract means that the Club believes in me, and that they do not want me to go anywhere.”

Earlier in the month Szczęsny was linked with a loan switch to Championship outfit Swansea City, and although that move never came to fruition, he does have an eye of gaining experience.

“I would expect that for at least half a year, I will end up being loaned out. It’s necessary for me, because it’s rare that a keeper’ goes straight into the first team from the Reserves. I need to go out and feel the pressure to win.”

Article By – J.Sanderson – With Thanks To Arsenal Poland.

Arsenal’s already delicate relationship with FC Barcelona is set to be stretched to the max in the coming weeks as the Gunners are closing in on the signature of 14-year-old wing wizard Gerard Deulofeu.

Chelsea and Liverpool have also been following the youngster after he starred for the Spanish Youth team in a tournament which was held in Holland, this prompted big media attention for the prospect, which has lured some of England’s biggest Clubs.

Four of Spain’s big football agency’s have made approaches to represent the player, although as yet they have all been rebuffed. However, he does have a professional agent who is employed by the Deulofeu family, and reports coming from Spain claim Arsenal’s Spanish scout Francis Cagigao has already been in touch.

Cagigao is one of Arsène Wenger’s most prized assets, and has successfully recruited the likes of Cesc Fàbregas, Fran Mérida and more recently Ignasi Miquel Pons. His influence will be crucial in any possible deal, leaving Barça yet again livid with the Gunners methods of signing youngsters.

Gerard is a pacy, technical and elegant left winger who can also play on the right, yet he is not a traditional attacking midfielder. In a similar way to Robert Pires, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky and Marc Overmars, he is a right footed player operating on the left, meaning he can cut inside with deadly effect.

Blessed with slick control, skills in abundance, electric pace and a fantastic finish, Deulofeu really does have it all. Arsenal’s record for developing Spanish talents is second to none, indeed, Fàbregas is a first team regular, Mérida started in the Carling Cup last night, and Miquel already has a winners medal with the Under 16’s.

He can take heart from all of that, and should everything fall into place, Gerard could lead a crop of Young Guns in the future. You can watch two videos of the player in action below.

– Video One – Video Two –

Article By – J.Sanderson

Arsène Wenger last night paid tribute to his young starlets after they romped past Championship side Sheffield United and into the 4th round of the Carling Cup, scoring 6 goals along the way.

Football pundits world wide were hailing the Gunners who had an average age of just 19, but Wenger went one better b by telling Sky Sports that the current crop of young players is the best he has ever had.

“Yes This is the best crop Yes. Because there is not one player – Henri Lansbury didn’t start the game because he’s been injured – but there’s not one player who has not the real quality of the Premier League in any position.”

He went further by heaping praise on the Club’s coaching staff and of course everybody at the Academy, who can now finally say the youth system works at Arsenal. The only issue that now remains is for the boss to keep the boys together and push them into the first team on a more regular basis, but with quality and talent in abundance, Arsène is one of the luckiest managers in the world to have such players at his disposal.

Being able to make the step up is something people had questions over, the likes of Gavin Hoyte, Mark Randall, and Nicklas Bendtner had all been subject of criticism over the last season, but when it mattered, they all delivered with devastating consequences.

Not to mention the fact this group still has the likes of Nacer Barazite, Pedro Botelho and Håvard Nordtveit to add, they will be considered as just a few months away from being ready enough to join this tremendous crop.

Not only was last night a victory for the Club, the manager, the players, the Academy, but also loaning. 6 of the starting XI have spent time away from the Emirates getting vital experience, which some people had again questioned, yet yesterday they showed how crucial it had been in their development.

The next few years promise to be the most fruitful in Arsenal’s history, and yes we will be kidding ourselves to suggest every single player will make the grade here, but for the ones who do, bigger and better things from them only seem a matter of time.

Article By – J.Sanderson

Whilst Arsenal’s youngsters were busy smashing Sheffield United to pieces last night, Manchester United took on Justin Hoyte’s Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.

During the game Boro’ captain Emanuel Pogatetz jumped in for a tackle on promising United midfielder Rodrigo Possebon, a challenge which looks to have broken the youngsters leg. Possebon is regarded as one of Man Utd’s biggest prospects, and was being scouted by Arsenal before eventually signing for Alex Ferguson’s side.

Not only was the tackle poor to see at any level, but yet again it opens the debate over young players not being able to express their talents without risk of such injuries. Gooners have first hand experience over this – Eduardo had his leg broken against Birmingham – so Young Guns would like to wish Rodrigo all the best and hope he is back soon.

Of course Eduardo did not always receive such support from fans, including those of Tottenham and Manchester who decided to sing terrible songs about his injury, yet still, any injury of this kind is shocking.

Article By – J.Sanderson