Wilshere makes League debut and breaks long-standing record

When Jack Wilshere replaced Robin van Persie at Ewood Park this afternoon, he simultaneously broke two records. Not only did he become the youngest player to have represented the club in the Premier League (a record previously held by Cesc Fabregas), he also broke a much more long-standing record in the youngest player to have played in the league since the club’s formation in 1886, a feat which was previously held by the now deceased Gerry Ward. Jack was aged 16 years, 256 days when he entered the field, meaning that he will not be able to surpass Fabregas’s record of the youngest player to have represented the Gunners in any competition, which the Spaniard set whilst aged 16 years and 177 days in the Carling Cup 3rd Round against Rotherham in 2003. Jack has experienced a metamorphic rise in the last six months and after the game manager Arsene Wenger hinted that the Stevenage-born youngster could be set for a step up in International football too

“I bring English players slowly through. He is another one who will soon play for you [England].”

So Jack has now made his Premier League debut and showed some good touches in his brief cameo at Ewood Park. He has now set the benchmark for all of Arsenal’s other young hopefuls and has proven that Arsenal do give English youngsters a chance. Now it is up to the rest of them to take it.

Loanees-Barazite shines as Derby win first league game for 362 days

Nacer Barazite- Derby County 2 Sheffield United 1

After impressing for the Dutch under-19s side in the week, Nacer came off the bench to inspire Derby to a much-needed victory over Sheffield United in the Championship. It was the Rams’ first league win in 362 days and Nacer provided the cross for winning goalscorer Rob Hulse.

Nacer started the game on the bench and watched on as Paul Green gave the Rams the lead on 24 minutes before Henderson drew the visitors level just two minutes later. Derby boss Paul Jewell was looking for inspiration and at half-time turned to Nacer. The Dutchman replaced Kazmierczak and had an instant impact showing good technical ability to turn to turn and fired a shot just over. The Dutchman, playing on the right-wing, was becoming an increasingly important figure in the game and showed no fear when attacking opponents with his dribbling skills. He was comfortable playing both short and long passes and is the kind of player that gets the crowd off their feet whenever he gets the ball. Then, on 70 minutes, the decisive moment came. Nacer showed good pace to get himself into a good position on the edge of the box and fired in a cross which was met by Rob Hulse who fired it home. Replays showed that the ball hit off the former Sheffield United man’s arm but the goal stood. Derby had the lead and justice was done after the Rams had a shout for a penalty turned down earlier in the game. There was a late scare for the hosts when Henderson headed just wide from Sun Jihai’s cross but Derby held on for the league victory which had eluded them for so long. The result lifts the Rams off the foot of the Championship table and out of the relegation zone. This will no doubt create a positive vibe around the club and Jewell must surely be considering handing Nacer a starting berth after today’s performance.

Armand Traoré- Portsmouth 2 Middlesbrough 1

Armand completed 84 minutes and was one of Portsmouth’s brightest sparks as they came from behind to win against a Middlesbrough side containing ex-Gunner Justin Hoyte. Traoré had an impressive first-half, creating several opportunities from the left-flank, but his team-mates failed to convert them. Pompey fell behind to a Mido goal on 24 minutes but they responded in the second-half with Jermain Defoe bagging a brace to turn the game around in the South Coast side’s favour. Traoré was substituted with six minutes left after picking up an injury.

Kerrea Gilbert- Leicester City 0 Millwall 1

An first-half injury meant that Kerrea only completed 30 minutes for Leicester as they lost 1-0 to Millwall at the Walkers Stadium. Kerrea started the game at right-back as Leicester looked to return to the top of the League One table. However, The Foxes went behind after Graham Alexander’s 20th minute strike for the visitors before Gilbert was replaced by Alexander Tunchev on the half-hour mark.

Pedro Botelho, Havard Nordtveit- Salamanca v Xerez

After being dealt some tough defensive lessons against Sevilla Atletico last week, Pedro and Havard will both be hoping to be involved when Salamanca take on Xerez on Sunday evening. Check back tomorrow to find out how they got on.

Vincent van den Berg- Top/Oss 3 FC Zwolle 1

Vincent was again absent through illness as Zwolle suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Top/Oss on Friday night. Midfielder Davy Zafarin gave the hosts the lead on 33 minutes before Albert van der Haar equalised for Zwolle shortly after the interval. Just ten minutes later Zafarin struck again to make it 2-1 to Top/Oss before Dmitri Djollo sealed the win in injury time.

Thomas strike not enough as Arsenal under-18s are held by Coventry

After a flawless start to the season in terms of results, having won their first three matches of the campaign, Steve Bould’s Arsenal under-18s side dropped their first points of the campaign after being held to a 1-1 draw by Coventry City this morning at London Colney.

The Gunners started the brightest and took the lead through captain Jay Emmanuel-Thomas but were pegged back when Callum Wilson equalised for the Sky Blues.

Bould’s side next two fixtures are trips to face Reading and West Ham, before the eagerly anticipated home clash with Chelsea at London Colney on October 4th.

There was better news for the under-16s though as they saw off the same opponents with a 4-2 victory, their second win in successive games.