Simpson signs new contract ahead of Baggies loan move, + Barazite, Conte and Wellington
Posted by Jeorge Bird on December 30, 2008
Arsenal confirmed yesterday that Jay Simpson has signed a new long-term contract at the club prior to his loan spell with West Bromwich Albion. Simpson will join up with the Baggies early next month and could feature against Peterborough in the FA Cup 3rd Round on Saturday afternoon. Incidentally, Peterborough director of football Barry Fry has revealed that they too were interested in taking Simpson on loan but Arsenal rejected the offer.
We won’t be getting the striker we really wanted to bring in and he will most probably be playing against us at the weekend.”
You can read the full article here.
Whilst Simpson’s future is tied up, the short-term future of another Arsenal loanee Nacer Barazite is hanging in the balance. Nacer is currently on loan with Derby County in the Championship and his loan spell is due to come to an end tomorrow. There was talk of it being extended but now, with Paul Jewell out of the picture, it remains to be seen what will happen to the Dutch Youth international between now and the end of the season.
Arsenal have also reportedly agreed deals to sign Wellington and Luis Gustavo Conte, who were on trial here recently. Wellington is a stocky forward whilst Conte is an assured defender. The only thing preventing the deals from taking place could be the issue surrounding work permits which could mean that both players might not be able to feature competitively for the Gunners until they turn 18.
More tomorrow.
athlon said
do you know anything new about Nordtveit? Will he play on Saturday?
Rene Bruwer said
What Wenger’s critics fail to fully understand is that despite current under-performance of the senior team, a potentially great team is being constructed around the 17-20 year old players. In 2-3 years time AFC will be a dominant force in all major competitions.
jeorge9 said
Nordtveit is eligible to play from Jan.1st Whether he will start or not I don’t know but after the Carling Cup defeat to Burnley Wenger said that he is going to use the ‘regular’ players in the competition and not the younger players, although perhaps Wilshere, Vela and Ramsey could play.
Stone said
I think you are very right Jeorge. Vela, Wilshere and Ramsey will most likely play, I think. Perhaps few players could be rested so Nick, Fabiansky, Eboue and Diaby might get their chance to shine. I would also love to see Nordveit play, preferrably alongside our best CB, Johan Djourou. So a team I would love to see would be:
———-Fabiansky———–
Eboue–Djourou–Nordveit–Clichy
Wilshere–Ramsey–Diaby–Nasri
———-Nick–Carlos——-
Watcher said
FTAO: Rene Bruwer.
You say ” In 2-3 years time AFC will be a dominant force in all major competitions.”
I’m sorry, but I’ve heard people saying this for the past 2/3 seasons. The problem is Wenger continually brings them through, so every year we’re saying its 2/3 seasons and we’ll be dominating.
It was said 2 years ago, are we dominanting now? No.
Whilst its great that we’ve got such a strong youth policy, I would argue that its actually too good. The number of kids coming through is actually too many I’d argue.
athlon said
Yes, but it would be very risky if Wenger used the regular players, like Nasri…
And if he will add someone to the squad until Saturday, he could also play.
Jimmy said
remember nordveit hasn’t played a game for a couple of months. Probably would want to give him a reserve game or two….
BooMeR said
there has been behind closed door friendlies where Nordtveit is egible to play I believe, so I doubt there is something wrong with his match fitness..