Jay Simpson agrees to join West Brom on loan

Arsenal striker Jay Simpson has agreed to join Premier League side West Bromwich Albion on loan from January 1st. The 20 year-old forward spent the majority of last season with Millwall in League One and will be looking to impress during his stint at the Hawthorns.

Simpson, who signed scholarship forms with the club in 2005, made his first-team debut in the Carling Cup
against Sheffield United before going on to score a brace in the following round against Wigan. He also scored the first ever hat-trick at Emirates Stadium against Cardiff City in the FA Youth Cup in 2007, before going on to score in the semi-final against Manchester United. Simpson currently finds himself behind Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor, Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela in the pecking order, whilst Eduardo is also close to a return to first-team action. Simpson has played in every Reserve game this season with varying success and is now seeking a fresh challenge with Tony Mowbray’s side. He told TalkSport

“I feel as if I am called upon I could answer some questions but I want to be playing as well so it is a good chance to go out and get some games,”

“Obviously if I am playing regularly I am only going to improve.

“They [West Brom] play good football and if I get chances to score I intend to take them.

“I have always wanted to play in the Premier League, it has always been one of my goals.

“I am just going to go there and try my hardest and try to score as many goals as I can.”

Many have doubted Simpson’s credentials to make it at the top but if he can prove himself at relegation-threatened West Brom then he could win a lot of people over. He will compete with Roman Bednar and Ishmael Miller for a place in the starting line-up. Numerous clubs were said to be courting Simpson including fellow Premier League outfits Wigan and Hull. Jay could be the first of several youngsters leaving the club on a temporary basis with the likes of Kieran Gibbs, Gavin Hoyte and Mark Randall all tipped for loan spells in the near future.

Signs pointing to Barazite staying at Derby for season

It is looking increasingly likely that Arsenal 18 year-old attacker Nacer Barazite will be staying at loan club Derby County for the remainder of the season.

The Dutchman joined the Rams in August and has made eleven starts for Paul Jewell’s side, with his most recent impact coming against Watford on Saturday when he emerged from the bench and embarked on a storming run down the right flank and provided an assist for fellow sub Rob Hulse.

Nacer’s loan spell at Pride Park is due to come to an end a week tomorrow but, with Arsenal out of the Carling Cup, and first-team chances at Emirates limited, the best option for him could be to remain with Derby.

Rams’ manager Jewell has openly stated his desire to keep the Dutchman and it looks as if he could get his way.

Elsewhere, James Dunne looks set to tie up a permanent deal at Nottingham Forest next month after impressing for their Reserves recently. Five other loanees, Pedro Botelho, Philippe Senderos, Armand Traore, Kerrea Gilbert and Vincent van den Berg are set to remain with their respective temporary clubs until the end of the campaign, whilst Abu Ogogo’s is due back from his loan spell at Barnet on January 17th.

There could yet be more players going out on loan following the Carling Cup defeat to Burnley. Jay Simpson is reportedly being courted by numerous lower league clubs, whilst Kieran Gibbs, Mark Randall and Gavin Hoyte are also potential candidates for a spell elsewhere.

Follow all the latest transfer developments and speculation regarding Arsenal’s youngsters right here on Arsenal Youth.