Re: Reserves / Youth Thread 2012-13

[Chris Chan]

Scored 2 for Germany u21 too second was a cracker

[Chris Chan]

went 1 up against the chavs, chavs then went 3-1 up after some utter garbage at the back. 2 goals in the last 4 mins and it's extra time in the next gen 3-3

[Vanig Bostanian]

So the NextGen Series is over for our boys. Who do you think has a future at the club? From what I've read so far, Gnabry and Akpom maybe.

[Samritpal Singh]

Thought I'd post it here too.

Hector Bellerin vs Chelsea U19

[Samritpal Singh]

We were really tired by the time we played Chelsea. Including last night's 3/4 placing vs Sporting, the squad played 3 games in 7 days.

You can see how tired Gnabry and co. were when they played Chelsea.

I don't think winning the trophy is really priority. This competition is young and now it is becoming better and more famous, so more teams would want to send their U19s there.

It's a good competition for our squad. Losses will give them experience. Next season should be a good one.

Not surprised with Aston Villa. They do have a good youth system. Actually tipped them to win the tournament

[Mike York]

With Bacary Sagna potentially leaving Arsenal have been linked with a multitude of different right-backs. But do they need one?

Arsenal spend most summers nervously biting their nails just waiting for it to end with their first team entirely intact. However that rarely happens.

Last year it was Robin Van Persie and Alex Song; before that they have had to watch the likes of Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor and Cesc Fabregas all fly the nest.

This summer however may be different. Arsenal want to sell. The likes of Andrey Arshavin, Maraoune Chamakh, Nicklas Bendtner, Andre Santos etc etc etc are not wanted at The Emirates and cashing in on these flops would be good business from The Gunners.

One player however they do seem like having a fight to hold on to is Bacary Sagna. The Frenchman is out of contract in 2014 and some of his comments in the past have not exactly convinced anyone he wants to stay at The Emirates.

He spoke of the pain at watching his former colleagues pick up trophies at pastures new and with Paris Saint Germain and Internazionale said to be sniffing around you can bet selling him may just be on Arsene Wenger’s agenda.

The club have one great prodigy in the right full-back position in the form of Carl Jenkinson. This season he has shown a real maturity to go with his obvious raw physical talents. Such eye-catching turn-outs earned him his first international call-up for the ill-fated friendly against Sweden.

With that many a right-back has been linked with a move to The Emirates as a replacement. Sebastian Corchia, Gregory Van Der Wiel, Sebastian Jung, Daryl Janmaat and even Angel Rangel; to name a few that immediately come to mind.

But could they already have their second choice right back for next season among their ranks?

Arsenal signed Hector Bellerin under something of a storm in 2011 from Barcelona and his performances in the NextGen Series and Uder-21 league this season have been amongst the most impressive and consistent for the Young Gunners.

He recently turned 18 and was rewarded for his good form with a new contract at The Emirates so he is clearly in their plans for the future.

Arsenal fans may want to see bigger names and more experience players being signed but Wenger has a philosophy and he should not be expected to drop it just like that.

Otherwise what has been the point of these trophy-less years?

http://hereisthecity.com/2013/04/02/hector-bellerin-the-reason-arsenal-dont-need-to-sign-a-right-bac/

[Vanig Bostanian]

We should keep Sagna even if he doesn't want to extend his contract. Despite his good performances, next year might be too soon for Jenko to carry such a burden. If Sagna goes, we need an experienced right back.

[Jonathan Prendergast]

I always get excited to see younger players in the squad stepping up. It would be great to see Jenkinson become number 1 and Bellerin get a look in.

However, such an approach more generally does not win trophies. Our focus must be on winning trophies and therefore keeping experience players that are winners (I believe Sanga is) for as long as possible.

[Mike York]

New Gunner: Arsenal's superteen Gedion Zelalem to make club debut at Liverpool

He's the new Cesc Fabregas, so catch him while you can Arsenal fans! German youth international set for Under-21 Premier League bow

Arsenal's next big star in the making is hoping to make his debut for the club in the under-21s Premier League at Liverpool tonight (Monday).

Teenage midfielder Gedion Zelalem, who turned 16 in January, received international clearance last week and is already being compared to Cesc Fabregas at the same age

German youth international Zelalem has also lived in the US - which was where he was spotted by Arsenal - and he has also has Ethiopian heritage.

His former coach Matt Pilkington said in an interview last year: “The balance, the vision, the ideas – you don’t see that often at [Zelalem’s] age. We will see Gedion in Arsenal’s first team three years from now. He’s got a great future.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfer-news-gunners-new-1817479

[Vanig Bostanian]

He's the new Cesc Fabregas, so catch him while you can Arsenal fans! German youth international set for Under-21 Premier League bow

Teenage midfielder Gedion Zelalem, who turned 16 in January, received international clearance last week and is already being compared to Cesc Fabregas at the same age

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfer-news-gunners-new-1817479

Uhmmmm I really hate those "the new X" comparisons. If I remember correctly, Cesc was already in the first team and playing with the Invincible squad at the age of 16.

[Mike York]

Yeah I don't like the comparisons either. Apparently Bentley was the new Bergkamp and Cygan was the new Adams lol but apparently the kid has skills and the match is later, so was just letting people know incase they wanted to check him or the team out.

[Mike York]

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/arsenal-youngster-serge-gnabry-scores-wonder-goal-v-liverpool-u21s-video/

^ great goal by Gnabry in the game last night and below is some Twitter reactions to a few performances, mianly Zelalem,

http://hereisthecity.com/2013/04/08/twitter-reaction-to-arsenal-wonderkid-gedion-zelalem-under-21-pe/

[Michael Foster]

That was some goal........

[Mario]

Arsenal Youth review- reflections on the 2012/13 campaign


It has been another highly eventful season for Arsenal at youth level, with a staggering 78 players featuring for the club in the four main youth competitions. The Gunners may have ultimately ended the season without silverware on all four fronts, but there are many positives to be taken from the 2012/13 campaign, not least the run to the semi-finals in the NextGen Series and the continued progression of some of the more highly-regarded starlets at the club. Here, we assess how Arsenal fared in each competition.


U21 Premier League

Despite getting off to a flying start at U21 level, with three victories in succession under Terry Burton, results began to tail off for Arsenal’s second-string, but they were still able to take their place in the Elite Group. They largely struggled for form following the turn of the year, however, and, in the end were fortunate to finish fifth out of the eight teams in the group, although they were not helped by the change in coaching staff midway through the campaign, which saw Steve Gatting replace Burton, who in turn stepped up to the role as Head of the Academy.

Best performer

There were several players who used the U21s as an opportunity to express their considerable potential, not least Chuba Akpom, with the 17 year old striker establishing himself as the side’s main attacker and registering an impressive 13 goals in 19 starts. Hector Bellerin, Kristoffer Olsson, Isaac Hayden and Serge Gnabry also turned in several memorable performances.

Best game

There were several contenders to choose from, but the opening game of the season, when Bolton Wanderers were comfortably dispatched of at Emirates Stadium with a 3-1 victory, was particularly impressive, not least because the Gunners had to cope with the early dismissal of goalkeeper Damian Martinez.

Best moment

After 14 months out of action, it was a heartening sight to see Jack Wilshere back in the Arsenal side as the U21s took on West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. Arsenal lost 1-0 and Wilshere was far from his effervescent best, but the mere sight of him back on the pitch was one that warmed the hearts of all Arsenal fans.


NextGen Series

At one stage it seemed as if Arsenal’s maiden venture into European youth football was going to end prematurely after they went four group stage games without accruing a single goal or victory. A rallying 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao secured their progression to the knock-out rounds, however, and, from there, Inter Milan and CSKA Moscow were fought off in memorable fashion. It ended in disappointment, with an epic seven-goal semi-final eventually swinging the way of London rivals Chelsea, but Arsenal still finished as the fourth best team in the competition.

Best performer

Akpom was impressive on this front, too, but Bellerin was outstanding throughout, with the Spanish right-back attacking at will whilst also showing a welcome improvement in his defensive capabilities. His showing against Chelsea was of tremendous quality, and, although he didn’t have a goal to show for his efforts the former Barcelona youngster racked up plenty of assists.

Best game

It was far from the prettiest game to watch, but Arsenal demonstrated terrific resilience to overcome Inter Milan on a near-waterlogged pitch. Nico Yennaris eventually struck the most dramatic of winners, sparking mass celebrations from all players and the coaching staff.

Best moment

Gnabry’s stupendous goal to force extra-time against Chelsea certainly set the pulses racing and, although it ultimately proved meaningless, can still be looked back upon as a strike of superb quality after terrific build-up play by Bellerin.


U18 Premier League

Another disappointing campaign in terms of results at this level, with Arsenal having to spend the second half of the season in the lowest group, before only finishing fourth in that section. Like the U21s, there were considerable changes in the coaching staff, with Pat Holland’s short-lived reign followed by the introduction of Carl Laraman. A plethora of schoolboys also received run-outs as many of the more established players stepped up to the U21s.

Best performer

Glen Kamara stood out from the start following his move to the club from Southend United. The defensive midfielder emphasised his dual qualities as a stylish, yet robust player and was rewarded with a goal late in the season against Middlesbrough. He’ll seek to step up to the U21s next season, whilst Anthony Jeffrey, Jack Jebb, Alex Iwobi and Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill also enjoyed impressive seasons.

Best game

Arsenal exacted a measure of revenge away to Aston Villa, winning 5-2 against the side who had trounced them 6-1 at London Colney just two months previously. Jeffrey, back from his loan spell with Stevenage, found the net, as did Iwobi, Jebb, Austin Lipman and Alfred Mugabo.

Best moment

It may ultimately have been a disappointing 3-1 defeat, but Arsenal’s deployment of a side consisting entirely of schoolboys away to Manchester City offered a glimpse of the not-so-distant future, with the likes of Chris Willock and Stephy Mavididi receiving their first run-outs at that level.


FA Youth Cup

Arsenal progressed past the Fourth Round in this competition for the first time since they last won the trophy in 2009, but came unstuck against a spirited Everton side who defeated them 4-2 at Underhill. They had previously overcome Newcastle United and Fulham, the latter thanks to an extra-time winner from substitute Lipman.

Best performer

Jeffrey was in outstanding form during this run, teaming up on numerous occasions with the equally effective Bellerin down the right flank. His searing pace brought him countless goalscoring opportunities, and he scored against Newcastle and Fulham before surprisingly being substituted against Everton.

Best game

The win over Newcastle saw Arsenal playing how they are supposed to- with each member of the side contributing to a free-flowing and highly enjoyable display against a bewildered set of opponents.

Best moment

Lipman’s extra-time winner against Fulham was superb, as was schoolboy Jordan Brown’s cameo appearance of the bench against Newcastle in the previous round.

http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/arsenal-youth-review-reflections-on-the-201213-campaign/

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