Can this be stickied pls?? Thks.
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Can this be stickied pls?? Thks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvLMX...&feature=feedu
what a scrote :lol:
Was this his one and only game he's played for Levante??? He looks shit! If the Daily Mail is anything to go by (lol) he should stop binging on Pizza, Twitter and Footy Manager!
Seems like another Robinho. Falling over at every bit of contact, a few nice pieces of skill. But he seems like a angry twat, which could possibly be hilarious and infuriating respectively.
All i can say is.... Afobe :bow:
on his way to the league one playoff finals with Huddersfield after being a regular starter for the hudd this season, he is a beast as well 17 and 6'3'' and built like a brick shithouse, he is very much like Emile heskey was when he was good, works hard, fights for everything, good in the air and lightning fast. No frills about him, he isnt going to doing stepovers but he will be throwing central defenders around in a couple of years.
:bow:
Afobe isn't 6'3 nor built like a Drogba...he needs time on that front.Quote:
Intriguing Summer in prospect with crucial decisions to be made on reinforcements and promotions
http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/20...#comment-37999
The next 99 days should prove to be very interesting indeed.
By then, the Summer transfer window will be officially closed and we will have a much clearer indication as to the make-up of Arsenal’s 2011/12 squad. As things stand, there are considerably more questions than answers but, given that the season is not formally over yet and speculation is rife regarding possible incomings and outgoings, this Summer is likely to be very eventful.
It already seems clear that there will be several departures, with Denilson and Nicklas Bendtner, who were both signed by the club as teenagers, reportedly expressing their desire to leave, and question marks remaining over the futures of Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and, inevitably, Cesc Fabregas. As far as possible signings are concerned, Finnish defender Carl Jenkinson looks set to be the first acquisition and, whilst Arsène Wenger is a somewhat unpredictable figure in the transfer market to say the least, his recent comments suggest that he is aware that the team needs strengthening in key areas and, whilst he may not be willing to spend £50 million on a player, he will seek to improve the quality of the squad.
What will be especially intriguing is how the re-adjustment of the first-team squad marries in with the futures of the glut of young professionals currently on the club’s books, particularly the returning loanees. Some, such as Kyle Bartley and Henri Lansbury, appear ready to challenge for a place in the squad, whilst others, such as Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Craig Eastmond, did not have the most fruitful loan spells and may be sent out again to gain further experience.
Some will depart, with the club declining to offer an extended contract to Roarie Deacon, who had a trial with Sunderland, whilst Oguzhan Ozyakup is still yet to agree a new deal. Mark Randall is likely to join them in departing, whilst the same could be said of Gavin Hoyte, although given that he is currently recovering from a serious injury, he may be granted an extended stay.
Ryo Miyaichi and Wellington will join up with the club for pre-season and the former will no doubt be used prominently in marketing campaigns for the club’s Asian Tour, whilst also hoping to win a work permit which would enable him to play in England.
Then there are the many young professionals set to embark on loan spells next season. Chuks Aneke, Emmanuel Frimpong, Conor Henderson, Luke Freeman and Ignasi Miquel fall into this category and are likely to be joined by several others, whilst Benik Afobe could extend his fruitful spell with Huddersfield Town, especially if they succeed in reaching the nPower Championship via the play-offs.
Further down the system, George Brislen-Hall has been released, whilst Jernade Meade has signed a one year professional contract. The club must decide which of the current first-years will also turn professional, with Philip Roberts set to do so automatically given he was signed from Norwich City, whilst Josh Rees and Alban Bunjaku appear the most obvious of the other candidates.
A new batch of scholars will also make their first steps onto the lush pitches of London Colney, with Anthony Jeffrey a particularly interesting talent, whilst the likes of Jon Toral and Kristoffer Olsson will be looking to impress during their first seasons in North London. Jack Jebb, meanwhile, who will still technically be a schoolboy next season, has asked the club if he can go full time in order to focus on his football and enhance his development.
With so many players at the club’s disposal, and several whom require important decisions regarding their immediate future, this Summer promises to be busier than most.
@Letters (TPFKA WWTL@WHL) ; can you sticky this thread pls? thks
Anyone know how vela got on at wba?
To be fair, WBA were sorted up front without him
Yeah, Benik's 6'0 and 175lbs, Drogba's 6'3 and 200. But Benik will probably put on at least 20 lbs by the time he's 23-25 and who knows he could yet grow an inch or two. I think he'll end up being a pretty big strong striker.
Interesting article you quoted but didn't answer my biggest question -- what's going on with Coquelin? He was pretty successful at L'Orient. Is he gonna come back and fight for a spot on the bench? (Denilson's spot). Or is he gonna stay out on loan somewhere? And will Frimpong really go out on loan? Wasn't he gonna be fighting for a squad spot this season before his injury?
The Cardiff City ST holder I work with says that for the best part of his time there JET was useless. Even after factoring in that Dave Jones had him playing wide alot it does seem like we have another player that won't cut it.
He also said Ramsey was just brilliant when he was there again for his short loan spell, but we know how good he is/can be already.
From what I saw of JET in the play-off Semi he looked like all it would take is a little more effort on his part and he'd be a fricking beast, out wide or not. I think we'll keep him for a few years given the potential of what he could do but unless he steps it up he ain't gonna make it.
Which semi did you see?
I watched the first half of the second one and I thought his workrate was absolutely atrocious. Worse than Arshavin after a heavy dinner and hopped up on horse tranqs.
Watched the majority of both of them, always like to see the play-offs as there's so much at stake that the players tend to make things happen, nice antidote to a season of Arsenal some would say. That snippet you saw was pretty representative of JETs performances, sometimes he'd track back but one thing that stood out was his lack of hustle when he lost the ball or when it was near him, a guy that size starts fighting for the ball and we'd be onto a winner.
http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2011/05/a...nger-bellerin/Quote:
Arsenal Sign Barcelona Winger Bellerin
Arsenal have agreed to sign Barcelona Cadete B winger Héctor Bellerin, according to Sky Sports. The Spanish Under 16 international follows fellow La Masia product Jon Toral to North London.
Bellerin turned down a new contract last month, following a series of disagreements with coaching staff. Chelsea and Manchester United were both initially keen, but Arsenal moved quickly to secure his services. A compensation package of around €400,000 is said to have been agreed.
The pacy wide-man joins central midfielder Jon Toral in switching from Barcelona to Arsenal this summer, in a deal worth €350,000. All in all, around €1 million will eventually change hands.
Héctor and Jon both sign three-year-deals with the option for a further two years.
http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2011/05/o...act-extension/Quote:
Ozyakup Signs Contract Extension
Oğuzhan Özyakup has signed a new two deal with Arsenal. The Dutchman had previously turned down two offers from the club, but Arsene Wenger stepped in to secure the 18-year-old’s services.
Özyakup had already opened talks with a number of European clubs, as his current contract was due to expire in July. However, after months of frustrating stalemate, Wenger stepped in to offer Oğuzhan the reassurances he wanted.
Agent Salvador de Mirande explained the turn around, which came after his client was promised a fair chance in pre-season to earn a first-team place.
“The probability Oğuzhan would stay at Arsenal a few weeks back was very small. We were very disappointed, but a lot happened in the meantime. “
“He wants to seize that opportunity. Oğuzhan still want to succeed at Arsenal.“
Özyakup new contracts runs until the summer of 2013.
:partytime:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9IdJhnhq4k
Been our best u-18s player this season. Just turned 17. Will probably be used more in the reserves next season.
Watched some of the League 1 playoff final to see this Afobe kid. He was shite and his team capitulated right at the end.
Valuable experience for what he'll achieve here.
:lol: yeh he was shite. Highly rated by our setup but I personally don't see it with him. Aneke looks to have more.
Didn't get much service tbf, showed some good strength and movement but didn't sort his legs out in the box with the odd chance he got, it wasn't a bad performance from a guy who's only 19 in a high pressure situation.
Yeah the service up to him wasn't great, although they put in some good crosses that I felt he could have attacked a bit more aggressively.
Their capitulation at the end would have made us proud tbh.
Damn. I'm keeping my eye on this lad, looks like a great prospect.
It's also embarassing that our under-18s attacks ten times the speed the first team does.
EDIT: Appears Mark Randall has been released. Never really progressed much, best of luck to the guy.
I see Mark Randall's been released.
Thank feck for that.
And to all those ridiculing 18yr old Afobe, he's been one of Huddersfield's standout players this season, and he's only been there since the turn of the year I think.
I think he can be allowed one poor game at his age.
Well said...Ben Afobe was pretty much the catalyst for Huddersfield's amazing run...he's pitched in with numerous goals and assists.The Chairmen said he is one of Englands brightest prospects,and that they were desperate to keep but knew it was only possible if they went up, as Arsene wants Championship football.
He appears to have picked up an injury in his liagaments early in the game, which stopped him a bit...only realising after the game...He was in hospitallast night before being released into the clubs care.
So maybe giving him a break, and leaving the judgment of him to the professionals is a good thing to do.....#justsaying
http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves...nd-gilles-sunu
Talks about Coquelin and Sunu
Le Coq is class - better than Song in all departments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hthHvkMecM
You're overhyping our youngsters as usual. He's clearly not better than Song in all departments. Pointless hyperbole.
Not at all hyperbole. I've followed him since he first joined in 2008. He has better technique, better positioning and is more dynamic. All facets that Song is lacking in.
His workrate is exceptional, but that video doesn't really do much for him as half his passes go to the oppo players. Good prospect but not currently better than Song IMO..
He's clearly better than song at writhing about on the floor and holding his face
It's what Barca's holding midfielder does and they're the best team ever so it must be an essential part of football at this level.
talking of promising midfielders
any news on Frimpong?
I don't trust having Coquelin, Frimpong or Song for an entire season at DM. The first two are still inexperienced and have no place in a starting eleven (in the PL) yet. Song, has great days, then he has those days where every tackle is late, he jogs around a bit, and only moves when he wants to get forward ignoring his role in the midfield. I'm still not 100% sold on Song.
Seeing as Arsene spends a fair bit of money and time on our youths/projects, does anybody believe we have anybody close to breaking into the first team out of the on loan mob? I.E. Lansbury, Bartley, Coquelin, Vela or any of the players returning from injury like Frimpong?
Call me a cynic...but out of that list I really don't see any who are ready to stake a claim, I think all are capable of squad like status but nothing more.
In fact I think Vela's development has stagnated...he's the one out of the list who I would be inclined to sell.
I guess they'll all get a shot in pre-season games, hopefully one or two of them will take their chances like Wilshere and Frimpong did (he looked good in those games before getting the big injury and would have got more chances throughout the season imo). The only guys I can see coming in to the first team squad are Lansbury and Frimpong (one for Rosicky and one for Denilson). I can't see Bartley getting in, I don't know why as I'd love to see him take Squillaci's spot as 4th (or 5th if we do bring another Cb in) as he seems to have the right attitude but maybe another year on loan would be good for him.
Incidentally, this is where project youth theoretically makes it easier for guys to break in. We now have Wilshere in the first team, he's played with Frimpong for 10 years so they have an understanding and Frimpong finds it easier to come into the first team. Lansbury has played a reasonable amount of time with both of them too, meaning that he'd find it easier to come in when either or both of them are playing.