Loan watch: Merida scores Sociedad winner

SUNDAY’S MATCHES

Fran Merida- Real Sociedad 2 Hercules Alicante 1

Fran Merida celebrated signing a new contract by scoring the winner for Real Sociedad against Hercules Alicante. Sociedad went behind after Agirre Sendoa’s 64th minute strike before Delibasic put the home side back on level terms twelve minutes from time. With their renewed confidence, Sociedad pushed forward in search of a winner and it came with eight minutes to go, when Merida struck a low, hard shot into the corner of the net. What an exceptional week it has been for the young Spaniard.

Pedro Botelho- Ejido 1 Salamanca 1

Pedro missed out through injury as Salamanca were held to a 1-1 draw by Ejido. Quique Martin scored from the penalty spot on 82 minutes to give Salamanca the lead, but it was cancelled out by a Robles strike for the hosts just two minutes later.

SATURDAY’S MATCHES

Kieran Gibbs, Mark Randall- Norwich 2 Burnley 0

Kieran and Mark were hoping to face eachother in this fixture, but instead they both had to settle for a place on the bench. Norwich took an early lead through Dion Dublin after just two minutes. Substitute Ched Evans sealed the win in stoppage time. Mark and Kieran were both unused substitutes. The result means Burnley drop down to 11th place, whilst Norwich climb to 16th.

Jay Simpson- Millwall 1 Gillingham 1

Jay started the game on the bench for the Lions and watched on as they went behind to Nicky Southall’s strike on 26 minutes. Ten minutes into the second half, Jay replaced former Gunner Ryan Smith. Millwall pulled level through Paul Robinson fifteen minutes from time. It was a crucial point for Millwall, but they are still not safe from relegation. They are two points clear of the drop zone, with four games left to play.

Carlos Vela- Osasuna 0 Recreativo Huelva 1

Carlos missed out through suspension as his Osasuna side lost 1-0 to Recreativo Huelva.

FRIDAY’S MATCHES

Vincent van den Berg- Go Ahead Eagles o BV Veendam 1

Vincent didn’t feature as the Eagles were beaten 1-0 by BV Veendam.

More on: Rorie Deacon

Rorie will join the Arsenal Academy full time in the summer, having impressed for the under-16s this term. He is a very versatile player, like many of the youngsters at Arsenal, but is primarily a winger. He is a product of the Hale End Academy and in 2003 played in the same Arsenal under-12s side as Jack Wilshere, Luke Ayling and Keanu Marsh-Brown (now at Fulham). He is strong in the tackle and is very determined and is equally adept at attacking too. He scored for the under-16s against MK Dons yesterday and will be hoping to be regularly involved with the under-18s next season. In the meantime, he will be hoping to further impress the coaching staff in the Nike Cup.

Arsenal consider entering partnership with Ajax

Arsene Wenger has revealed that Arsenal are considering entering a partnership with Dutch giants Ajax , which could see loan transfers of players between the two clubs. Arsenal already have a similar agreement with Spanish second-tier side Salamanca, but they have a whole host of troubles, and could enter administration. With many young professionals tied down to contracts at the club, and several new scholars who have agreed to sign on, the Gunners have a large batch of reserve and youth players and may consider sending some out on loan in order to gain experience. Speaking to the Arsenal matchday programme, Wenger said

Van Basten visited us at the training ground this week,”

“We spoke a bit about Euro 2008 and about Ajax, because he is taking over there in the summer.

“We spoke about how he wants to see the future of the club and how he wants to work there, and any similarities with our policy at Arsenal, and about whether they can take players on loan for example.”

One obvious candidate for a loan spell at Ajax is striker Nacer Barazite, who signed for Arsenal in 2006. Being Dutch himself, Nacer would have no problems settling in at the club and wouldn’t have to learn a new language. There is a possibility of it happening, especially as Nacer is already considered a cut above the reserve team, where he has scored five goals in eleven games this season, and finds his first-team path blocked by Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and the returning Carlos Vela.