Pay your respects to David Rocastle

If you follow Arsenal, then you’ve probably heard of David Rocastle. The midfielder spent two years as an apprentice at Highbury, before going on to make 218 first-team appearances, scoring 24 goals. What you may not realise,however, is the fact that today is seven years since his death and has been designated David Rocastle day.

David also made fourteen appearances for England and went on to play for Leeds, Man.City and Chelsea amongst others before ending his career in 1999. Just two years later he died at the age of 31.

This loss was very hard for Arsenal fans to accept, he epitomised everything good about the club, the way Arsenal is supposed to be. He was a terrific role-model and Arsenal’s youngsters of today can learn a lot from him.

The website www.rocky7.co.uk has been set up for fans to pledge their messages of support to Rocky and to offer donations. I would oblige you to visit it, seeing as today marks seven years since his death.

The fact that he started his career at Arsenal and worked his way up to become one of the most important figures in the club’s history says a lot about his personality.

There will be more news on Arsenal’s youngsters throughout the week, with a crucial game coming up against MK Dons on Saturday. Henri Lansbury (glandular fever) is back in training but may not be risked, whilst Luke Ayling foot is doubtful. More on that to come, and it appears that an Arsenal XI comprising of mainly reserve and youth players will take on Dorchester in a friendly, in early May.

In the mean-time you can pay your respects to Rocky in the comments section below and your messages of support will be passed on.

Thanks for reading.

International watch: Bartley plays 90 minutes for England u-17s

Israel 2 England 2 

Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley played 90 minutes as England were held to a 2-2 draw by Israel in the final match of their Elite round qualifying campaign. England’s hopes of reaching the finals had already been eradicated before the match had started. A 1-1 draw in their opening game against USA, coupled with a 3-2 defeat to Russia on Thursday, meant that it was mathematically impossible for England to reach the finals.

So, the Three Lions were playing for pride against Israel, and manager John Peacock took the opportunity to hand starts to several players who hadn’t featured in the previous two matches. Bartley was one of those and he took his place in a starting line-up containing highly rated youngsters John Bostock and Jacob Mellis. It was Mellis who got the ball rolling on 11 minutes when the Chelsea player latched on to Donaldson’s through ball to score. Israel responded through Mohammed Gadir and then took the lead through Samir Hakim on 62 minutes. However, Aston Villa striker Nathan Delfouneuso struck ten minutes from time to earn England a share of the spoils. Jack Wilshere was an un-used substitute.

England finished bottom of their group on two points, a far cry from last year’s under-17 side containing the likes of Henri Lansbury and Rhys Murphy reached the Finals of the tournament.

It was Gilles Sunu’s France who qualified for the finals, after they beat Russia 3-1.

Loan watch:Vela plays 76 minutes as Osasuna win

SUNDAY’S MATCHES

Carlos Vela- Getafe 0 Osasuna 1

Carlos recovered from the thigh injury which ruled him out of Mexico’s friendly with Ghana last week and started the game for Osasuna alongside Kike Sola. This is how both sides lined up:

Getafe:

———————-Abbondanzieri———————–

—-Contra——Tena—————-De La Red—–Matias Licht

—G.Cotelo—–Casquero————Celestini——-Granero

————————–Del Moral—————————

————————–Uche——————————-

subs: Cortes (for G.Cotelo, 46) , Albin (for Casquero, 62), Mario (for Celestini, 73).

Not used:Gavilan, Sousa, Nobrega, Ustari.

Booked: Contra, Tena, Celestini

Sent off: Contra

Osasuna:

———————Ricardo——————————

–Azpilicueta—–Cruchaga———–Flano———–Monreal

–Torres———Punal————–Astudillo——–Plasil

——————Sola—————Vela——————

subs: Dady (for Sola, 66), Font (for Vela, 76) , Corrales (for Torres)

Not used: Viana,Elio, Flano, Igotz Garde.

Booked: Punal, Monreal, Vela, Torres, Dady, Cruchaga

Goals: Flano, Punal

Getafe dominated much of the first-half, but didn’t have a goal to show for all their possession. Vela had a chance on the edge of the box, but spurned the opportunity wide. Getafe had Contra sent off for two bookable offences and Osasuna were determined to make their advantage count and they did when centre-back Flano found the back of the net just before half-time.

Half time- Getafe 0 Osasuna 1

Osasuna began the second half in the same way that they finished the first. Kike Sola came close with an effort, before Vela hit a shot wide. Osasuna doubled their advantage through Punal on 69 minutes and it was a deserved reward for a decent display. Vela picked up a booking for a reckless challenge and was replaced by Hector Font soon after. Carlos had put in a decent display and was looking a little bit tired at this point, so it was the right decision to take him off. Font partnered fellow substitute Dady for the remainder of the game and the pair created a couple of chances between them but to no avail.

Full time- Getafe 0 Osasuna 2

Fran Merida- Real Sociedad 1 Racing Club Ferrol 2

Fran made a late substitute appearance as Real Sociedad lost 2-1 at home to Racing Club Ferrol. Jonathan scored from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time to give the visitors the lead. Carlier added a second for Ferrol ten minutes from time. Sociedad pulled a late goal back through Martinez but it was too little too late for the home side.

Pedro Botelho- Salamanca 1 Eibar 0 (Latest score)

Pedro was not in the starting line-up for Salamanca against Eibar. Salamanca took the lead through a Rodriguez penalty on eight minutes.

Vincent van den Berg- Stormvogels Telstar Combanatie 1 Go Ahead Eagles 2

Vincent didn’t feature as Go Aheas Eagles scraped a 2-1 win over Stormvogels Telstar Combanatie. Oosthout put the away side ahead after eight minutes, before a Scoenmakers own goal brought Telstar back into the game. The match looked like it was going to end in a draw, but Turk netted in the final minute of the game to win it for Go Ahead Eagles.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES

Mark Randall- Burnley 2 Barnsley 1

Mark was an unused substitute as Burnley beat Barnsley 2-1 at Turf Moor. The Clarets went ahead thanks to goals Wade Elliott and Kyle Lafferty. Barnsley pulled one back just before half-time through Brian Howard, but Owen Coyle’s side held on for all three points. Burnley moved up to 10th place because of this result.

Kieran Gibbs- Bristol City 2 Norwich City 1

Kieran was an unused substitute as Norwich were defeated 2-1 by promotion chasing Bristol City at Ashton Gate. Dele Adebola put the home side 1-0 up on 41 minutes, but Darren Huckerby pulled one back for the Canaries with 20 minutes to go. Substitute Steven Brooker scored the winner for Bristol City three minutes into stoppage time. Norwich are now in danger of relegation as they are currently in 17th place in the table.

Jay Simpson- Bournemouth 2 Millwall 0

Jay played the full 90 minutes as Millwall suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth. Max Gradel scored the first goal of the game for the home side on 75 minutes from the penalty spot and then added a second with a minute to go. Millwall are now two places and five points clear of the relegation zone with five games to play.

Platini intends to stop Arsenal ’stealing’ young players

Platini is unhappy that Arsenal have signed so many young foreigners, such as Ignasi Miquel (above)

UEFA president Michel Platini has revealed that he intends to stop Arsenal signing young players from other clubs, particularly those overseas. It’s not just the Gunners under the microscope, Man.Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been highlighted. However, it seems Arsenal are the worst offenders and there is evidence to back that up. Last month, it was announced that we had completed the signing of Ignasi Miquel from Cornella, but this is only the most recent of moves. Go back five years and you may remember a young Cesc Fabregas coming to Arsenal. That may not be the best example as he was looking for a move out of Barcelona, but there are others as well. The likes of Havard Nordtveit and Gilles Sunu are recent examples.

The fact of the matter is, many people accuse Arsenal of having too many foreign players in their academy, but look around and you will see that less than half of the Academy is foreign. Wojciech Szczesny, Cedric Evina, Nacer Barazite, Rui Fonte and Gilles Sunu are the only foreigners who have been regulars for the under-18s this season.

Some might argue that Arsenal poach many of their youngsters from other clubs, and this is a fair point. Several former Wimbledon players are at the club, including the likes of Mark Randall, Kieran Gibbs, Rhys Murphy and James Dunne. Last summer Anton Blackwood and Kyle Bartley, two young English defenders were brought in from other English academies. Then, in January there was of course the move which saw Luke Freeman move to Arsenal. After the Freeman transfer, Gillingham praised Arsenal for acting in a ‘civilised’ way and deals like this are not a problem.

Arsenal may have been accused because of their lack of English talent, but the fact of the matter is we produce decent English players for other clubs, David Bentley and Ashley Cole are just two examples. I was going to say Pennant as well, but then again we did sign him from Notts County when he was fifteen!

Player of the month: James Dunne

James Dunne has won the innaugral Arsenal Youth player of the month award for March. After an indifferent start to the season, which was marred by disciplinary problems, James’ performances picked up in March as he excelled for both the reserves and the under-18s. The midfielder scored a last minute penalty for the under-18s against Reading to secure a vital three points in the race for a play-off place. Next, he gave a solid performance as the reserves saw off Portsmouth. His gritty display against Chelsea under-18s was evident despite the defeat and then he faced the same opposition on Tuesday in the reserves when he played in an unfamiliar role as a right-winger. He didn’t lack any confidence though, and laid the ball off from a free-kick for Alex Song to score. It was an imaginative move from James, who has excelled throughout the month.

James scores his last-minute penalty against Reading under-18s

Loan watch: More agony for Simpson and Millwall

SATURDAY’S MATCHES

Mark Randall- Burnley 2 Barnsley 1

Mark was an unused substitute as Burnley beat Barnsley 2-1 at Turf Moor. The Clarets went ahead thanks to goals Wade Elliott and Kyle Lafferty. Barnsley pulled one back just before half-time through Brian Howard, but Owen Coyle’s side held on for all three points. Burnley moved up to 10th place because of this result.

Kieran Gibbs- Bristol City 2 Norwich City 1

Kieran was an unused substitute as Norwich were defeated 2-1 by promotion chasing Bristol City at Ashton Gate. Dele Adebola put the home side 1-0 up on 41 minutes, but Darren Huckerby pulled one back for the Canaries with 20 minutes to go. Substitute Steven Brooker scored the winner for Bristol City three minutes into stoppage time. Norwich are now in danger of relegation as they are currently in 17th place in the table.

Jay Simpson- Bournemouth 2 Millwall 0

Jay played the full 90 minutes as Millwall suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth. Max Gradel scored the first goal of the game for the home side on 75 minutes from the penalty spot and then added a second with a minute to go. Millwall are now two places and five points clear of the relegation zone with five games to play.

SUNDAY’S MATCHES

Carlos Vela- Getafe v Osasuna (5pm)

Carlos has recovered from a thigh injury and is in the Osasuna squad to play Getafe.

Fran Merida- Real Sociedad v Racing Club Ferrol (5pm)

Fran is in the Sociedad squad for this game but may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Pedro Botelho- Salamanca v Eibar (5pm)

Pedro has been named in the Salamanca squad to face Eibar

Vincent van den Berg- Stormvogels Telstar Combanatie v Go Ahead Eagles (2.3opm)

Vincent pulled out of the Dutch u-19 squad through injury and may not feature in this match

Match report: Arsenal under-18s 6 Cardiff 0

Arsenal under-18s edged a step closer to a play-off place with a comprehensive 6-0 win over Cardiff City this morning. Arsenal were two-nil up at half-time after an Emmanuel Frimpong strike and a Rhys Murphy penalty. Luke Freeman, Sanchez Watt, Jay Thomas and Nacer Barazite all found the net in the second half to complete the rout.

The Gunners welcomed back Sanchez Watt and Thomas Cruise from injury, whilst Luke Freeman and Emmanuel Frimpong returned from international duty. Conor Henderson and Jonas Rasmussen were both handed starts in midfield.

————————-Szczesny—————————-

—Blackwood——-Ayling————-Thomas (c)———-Cruise

—Rasmussen——Frimpong———-Watt—————–Henderson

——————–Freeman———–Murphy

subs: Hoyte, Fonte, Barazite, Evina, Shea.

Arsenal were quite slow out of the traps early on and Cardiff intended to heap the pressure on them. The Welsh side’s no.10 had a couple of opportunities but Szczesny was equal to them on both occasions.

Next it was Arsenal’s turn to attack, Emmanuel Frimpong burst forward from midfield but had his shot saved, Rhys Murphy couldn’t do any better with the rebound and hit it over. But just nine minutes later, Frimpong made amends when he curled a beautiful free-kick from the edge of the area into the bottom left-hand corner. Frimpong has been amongst the goals in recent weeks, both for the Gunners and England u-16s, whom he scored for against Germany last week.

Arsenal were growing in confidence and on 21 minutes Jonas Rasmussen was fouled in the area. Despite appeals from the Cardiff players, the penalty was awarded and up stepped Rhys Murphy to take it. Murphy, who was named in the England u-18s squad earlier this week tucked it home. The ‘keeper got a touch on it but there was enough power on the strike to see it in.

Arsenal had further chances before the half-time whistle blew, Luke Freeman hit an effort over the bar, and Szczesny had to be alert at the other end to deny Cardiff a goal from a free-kick after a foul by Conor Henderson. Henderson was involved again before the interval coming close with a strike, it was the last significant moment of the first-half.

Half time- Arsenal 2 Cardiff City 0

The second half began and players from both sides were locked in a tight physical battle. Cardiff seemed determined to get back into the game but were let down by poor finishing. Szczesny wasn’t even troubled by a weak effort from Cardiff’s no.8.

Henderson hit another opportunity over the bar, before Luke Ayling was the victim of a reckless tackle from a Cardiff player. He looked in pain, but stayed on the pitch for now, hoping to run it off.

In the mean time, Murphy should have doubled his tally when he rounded the ‘keeper but somehow managed to hit the ball over the bar.

By now, the pain was getting too much for Ayling, and this brought about the first substitution of the game.

(G.Hoyte for Ayling, 66 mins)

Just two minutes after the change, Arsenal found the net again. Freeman found himself in space out on the left and did what Murphy couldn’t do just moments earlier, he rounded the ‘keeper and scored.

Cardiff were tiring and the game was put beyond doubt two minutes later with a Sanchez Watt wonder-strike. The England u-17 international picked the ball up on the edge of the box and lobbed it over the ‘keeper for 4-0. It was quite a strike and I don’t think Sanchez could believe it himself as he stood still for a moment in admiration of his effort.

It was more like a training game now for Arsenal, and Jay Thomas underlined that fact three minutes later when he made a marauding run from midfield before slotting home. He is certainly a versatile player and has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers this season.

With fourteen minutes to go, Arsenal made two more subs

(Fonte for Freeman, 76)

(Barazite for Murphy, 76)

Cardiff had one more effort, but Szczesny was alert to catch the cross. His long throw found left-back Thomas Cruise who slotted it through to the on-rushing Barazite to score his 12th goal for the u-18s this season. It was 6-0 and well and truly game over.

Frimpong had one last chance in stoppage time as he headed the ball over the bar, but by then the game was already over.

Full time- Arsenal 6 Cardiff City 0

It was a well-earned win for Steve Bould’s side. They can expect a tougher time when they face MK Dons next week, with only four more fixtures remaining.

There was more positive news as Henri Lansbury was back in training after suffering from glandular fever, whilst Craig Eastmond should be fit to face MK Dons next week.

It wasn’t such a good day for the under-16s however, as they went down 2-1 to Cardiff.

PLAYER RATINGS

Wojciech Szczesny-7- Some good saves but needs better distribution

Anton Blackwood-6- A solid performance

Luke Ayling-6- Commanding but went off injured

Jay Thomas-8- Led by example

Thomas Cruise-6- Neat and tidy

Jonas Rasmussen-6- Didn’t get many chances but worked hard

Emmanuel Frimpong-8- JEORGE BIRD’S MAN OF THE MATCH

Worked hard all game and got on the scoresheet as well

Sanchez Watt-8- Stunning goal and slick passing

Conor Henderson-7- Did well and had some decent chances

Rhys Murphy-7- Scored one but should have got two

Luke Freeman-7- Great determination rewarded with a goal

SUBS

Gavin Hoyte-6- No nonsense display

Rui Fonte-5- A little greedy

Nacer Barazite-6- On target again

Photographs by R.Bird- Copyright www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com

Match preview- Arsenal under-18s v Cardiff City

Arsenal under-18s take on Cardiff tomorrow at London Colney hoping to get back to winning ways. Steve’s Bould’s side went down 1-0 to Chelsea last Friday but a win tomorrow would underline Arsenal’s play-off ambitions. Cardiff have a leaky defence and Arsenal should be able to exploit it.

THE TABLE

TABLE FROM FONCY.CO.UK

Arsenal are two points behind West Ham with two games in hand. The Hammers are in action at home to Reading tomorrow.

THE TEAM

Henri Lansbury (glandular fever), Sanchez Watt and Thomas Cruise are all out injured, whilst Emmanuel Frimpong and Luke Freeman return from international duty. Kyle Bartley and Jack Wilshere are away with England under-17s, but Wojciech Szczesny returns.

—————————-Szczesny———————–

—Blackwood——G.Hoyte (c)———-Thomas——Evina

–Dunne———–Frimpong————Eastmond—-Barazite

——————-Fonte—————Murphy

subs: Shea, Henderson, Ayling, Freeman, Rasmussen

Check back tomorrow for a full report.

Jonas Rasmussen interview (Part 2)

 

This is the second part of the interview with Jonas. You can read the first part here.

The second part of this interview is mainly about Jonas’s hopes and ambitions of making the first team, and he also talks about meeting some of the most famous people at the club.

The Dane, who has earned a 3-year contract, explains about the future prospects, “The first season at the club is mainly about acquainting myself with the style of play and settling in at the club.” “It is enough first in the other season that the expectations of me will rise from the club’s page”.

“The goal in next season is to come to participate in the FA Youth Cup, play more for the U18s and get games for the reserve team, ‘especially if some of the current reserve players are loaned out’, says Jonas, who usually plays on the right wing.

Jonas can play anywhere across the midfield, but his favourite position is the holding midfield role or playing as an out-and-out winger. His ultimate aim is of course to get a chance in Arsenal’s first team, and therefore it was likely to ask about which thoughts Jonas has done himself about Arsenal’s best crew. “I will size it a little up, what happens to the next pair of years”, the young player says who hopeful the fort-compositor speech flow and ends with, “I had of course not gone to London, if I didn’t think that I could come on the A-team”.

As mentioned was one of Jonas’ goals for next season is to participate in the FA Youth Cup, and he reports with enthusiasm in his voice that it’s a tournament, the English are particularly keen on and that the matches are often played in large, well-known arenas. In the last couple of seasons Arsenal have played at Anfield, Old Trafford and Emirates Stadium in this tournament. The engaged voice lead reveal clearly that Jonas looks forward playing in this tournament, and he expresses finally, “I hope Arsenal get a home draw, as this way I can play in front of many spectators at Emirates.’ As an extra incentive, Jonas can use the fact that his fellow countryman Nicklas Bendtner has made the journey from the youth team to the first team ” Of course this is something to look up to, Nicklas has shown the way”. Jonas can by the way report that he sees a part to his Danish fellow countryman.

This carries the conversation on over on what it’s to train with players from the first team, “It is great to train with the first team players, and it of course was great the first time, but I’ve quickly got used to it”, he says in a relaxed tone. However Jonas remembers with clear fascination in the voice, who he was most confused at meeting the first time. “The first meeting with Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry was massive!”, he says, almost shouting.

This naturally leads the conversation over on the legendary French manager, who by many young players is often mentioned as a reason to sign for Arsenal. It however wasn’t immediately the first, Jonas thought of, before he agreed to the offer of replacing Danish football with English.

“Wenger wasn’t the direct cause of my move, but it was more the fact, that I got an offer from a great club, “. Jonas however subsequently comes with a fairly wise consideration whether, why Wenger has a rather magnetic effect on young big talents, “Wenger comes about indirectly of course a reason that many young players choose Arsenal rather than other large clubs, when he shows his young talents confidence, and gives them the chance”, and after this Jonas points at Cesc Fabregas like the best example of this.

Finally Jonas tells about the training in the club, where they train a lot in patterns of movement and care games. Everybody is good with the ball, and they are training among other things on having few ball touches in the technical inclined playing style that we knows it from Arsene Wenger’s best crew. Thus that seems that we fans can be also in the future spoiled with entertaining game from the next day Arsenal-stars. Judging from a Danish angle it remains very exciting to follow Jonas Rasmussen’s career, and whether he can reproduce the Nicklas Bendtner trick, and complete the dream of taking the trip from the U16s to the first team.

With thanks to Arsenal Denmark 

International watch: Wilshere plays in England defeat

Jack Wilshere, Kyle Bartley- England u-17s 2 Russia u-17s 3

Jack Wilshere played 90 minutes for England u-17s today against Russia, but couldn’t prevent the Three Lions from suffering a defeat which means that their hopes of reaching the European Championships are very slim to play the least. Two goals in four minutes got the ball rolling for the Russians with Alexander Kolkorin and Alexander Stolyarenko both finding the net. England responded through Matty James on 45 minutes but Yuri Pugachev scored to stretch the Russian’s lead. Aston Villa powerhouse Nathan Delofouneso pulled one back for England but it proved to be nothing more than a mere consolation. England’s final qualifier is against Israel on Sunday, but after the game coach Brian Eastick admitted that it will have little significance.

“We are out of it. It might have been different if we had got a point but it’s not to be. This team has real potential so it’s a shame they won’t be going to the European Championships.”

Kyle Bartley was left on the bench, whilst Thomas Cruise missed out through injury. With Eastick himself admitting that the Israel game is of little relevance, then he may take it as an opportunity to rest some of the regular players and allow somebody like Bartley a chance to play.