Re: Arsenal U21s & U18s Thread

[A Gunner]

That I must agree but still facing a risk by changing our formation isn't exactly what you might call a perfect choice in our situation AW has pressure to deliver and he won't risk starting from all-over again.

But your point is one of the main reason I think we should bank in on Fab I mean clearly he isn't staying so why not sell him and mold our new team and formation as soon as possible?

[Sri]

What gives me a feeling that we might actually be thinking of tweaking around, is the formation we played against Fulham on the last day, when, ironically and coincidentally, Fabregas was at Barcelona.

[A Gunner]

But it didn't turn out that well did it? Anyways as long as Fab is an Arsenal player AW will employ 4-3-3.

What i'm hoping is a better formation for CC games and games that Fab doesn't play in since we all knew what happened when we play our 2nd string in such games with the same formation... we merely win.

[Sri]

There lies the problem of consistency.. If we play a different formation when Fab isn't involved, we end up with players who can't fit right in when they have to play in the "team A".

[A Gunner]

I believe our players should have the ability to switch between formation or they are not top club material .

[Kiwigunner]

I'm sure they could do it, but i don't think it would work 100% perfectly.

[Twoism]

They definitely could, only if Wenger trains them on daily basis though.

[Sri]

We have a bunch of mental midgets. They'd be seen running around more like headless chickens if they are confused. I think we should have one preferred formation, but when the situation demands of it, the players should be able to adapt to changes..

I think Kenny Dalglish did that very well this season.. The team played 5-3-1-1 kind of formation sometimes and then also switched nicely to a more 4-4-2 in games where they could afford to attack more..

[ArsenalWenger]

http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2011/06/bartley-handed-pre-season-chance/

Arsène Wenger will use pre-season to run the rule over Kyle Bartley, before deciding on his future. Scottish Champions Rangers have already contacted the Frenchman over a second loan spell.

Bartley was singled out as one of Ally McCoist’s top transfer targets before the season had even finished, and the newly appointed Gers boss told The Evening Times last week that he had made contact over a deal. McCoist has previously admitted his desire to buy Kyle, but said this was unlikely.

Wenger is now said to have promised Bartley a chance to earn a place in the squad during pre-season, after spending the last 18 months on loan. Should the 20-year-old not do enough to impress, another loan spell looks likely, but that would be towards the end of the transfer window.

Whether McCoist is prepared to wait until then remains to be seen.

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I wonder if this is because of failing to get Jones, sure he was going to get some games during pre-season, but I get the feeling that Wenger is trialling him, to see if it would be a waste to buy a new defender, or would he still place trust in Bartley if we got Jones?

[Jay29]

I believe Bartley has earned the opportunity to prove himself as an Arsenal player regardless of whether we got Jones or not. The fact we seriously went in for Jones perhaps shows that Wenger is unsure over Bartley and is, rightfully so, going to use pre-season to see where Bartley stands.

Hope he does well, as I would like to see more players that have come through our academy in the squad.

[Sri]

I'm sure he will..

[Iceman]

Bartley is 20? Blimey...I thought he turned 19 this year

[Ali]

Loyalty at its best :
EmmanuelF4 Emmanuel Y Frimpong
I LOVE MY ARSENAL FOREVER ARSENAL.MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.FANS 1ST

[Sri]

Much appreciated if he says that a few years down the line. I expect every kid to show loyalty at the offset to gain fan popularity. Its the more mature and experienced players who should make statements like this. *cough* Nasri *cough*

[Ali]

I'm positive that if they break into the team, Gibbs + Lansbury + Frimpong + Wilshere ( already broke in ) will be fantastic and our own Raul, Gerrard, etc.

[RealGunner]

There are a number of exciting youth tournaments taking place this summer, most with involvement from Arsenal players. The Caspian Cup is no different, and features new signing Héctor Bellerín.

Bellerín is in action with Spain’s Under 16′s, and he scored their fifth goal in a 6-0 rout against Tajikistan. He began on the right of midfield, and started and then finished a flowing move. You can watch the highlights below, with Héctor’s goal coming at 1.25 into the video.

From YoungGuns Blog

[A Gunner]

We seem to be buying an awful lot of barcelona youngsters nowdays lol.

[ArsenalWenger]

http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2011/06/levante-in-talks-over-wellington-botelho/

Levante have opened talks with Arsenal over Brazilian duo Wellington Silva and Pedro Botelho, as Arsène Wenger begins to shape his first-team squad for next season.

The La Liga outfit are rebuilding their squad under new manager Juan Ignacio Martínez, who coached Botelho at Cartagena last season. Martínez has made the pacy winger one of his top targets, and initial discussions have proved fruitful, with Wenger already telling Botelho he will not be part of his first-team squad next year.

Levante are also keen to secure a second loan spell for Wellington, who spent the final six months of last season with the Valencia outfit, but only made two substitute appearances. Martínez is a big fan of the young forward, and confirmed he tried to sign him in January, only for Silva to rejected the offer of regular first-team action for the attractions of La Liga.

Botelho has two years left on his contract, and the initial signs are that Arsenal won’t renew it, without a spell in the Spanish top flight. The club had to pay 90% of his wages last season, as Cartagena remained skeptical of his attitude. However, his cult status there is now secure, after a stunning campaign.

The step up to La Liga promises to be a good one for Botelho, and with Wellington set to work under a coach who has close contacts with Arsenal, the pair would significantly benefit from securing deals with Levante.

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Thought Botelho would be staying with us, but the new Levante coach looks more likely to use Wellington it seems.

[SamuelJayC]

Can i just point out the development that Coquelin has made in the past year on loan at Lorient.

Coquelin v Marseille http://t.co/fc1NWN2

Seems to have taken his game to an all new level. Plays very similarly to Flamini, but probably better technically.

Him + Frimpong big futues

[Sri]

I don't mind Botelho getting a good loan spell, same goes for Wellington. But I am going to be MAJORLY PISSED if they notch up two substitute appearances in the season.

Sam, yup I have seen Coquelin develop and we all know Frimpong was supposed to be making the jump to first team, like Wilshere, last season itself.. This just goes on to show that we can forget about a marquee DM signing.. I don't see Matuidi or Melo or M'Villa being bought when we have two players who play DM coming out of our youth system..

[RealGunner]

kyle Ebecillio is playing for holland atm against North Korea in the Under 17 WC

fifa are showing it live on their website for free

[AnJl]

what are the chances of Aneke making it to our first team quad ?

[RealGunner]

he will be in training along with afobe and then wenger will decide what to do

might go on loan as hes too good for reserves imo, along with afobe and maybe ozakyup

[Ali]

afobe is still raw, I think he needs to go to the championship on loan

[Kiwigunner]

A lot of them will go on loans, hopefully they'll keep developing. I do wonder if the youth team will suffer because of it.

[A Gunner]

He will be loaned and we wont see him for the next 2 years or so in our first 11.

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