Arsenal Youth Awards 2009- THE RESULTS

Thank you to everybody who voted in the second annual Arsenal Youth Awards and the results can now be revealed.

Frenchman Francis Coquelin impressed both in central-midfield and at right-back for the Reserves and won this award comfortably, beating his closest challenger Fran Mérida by 19%. Kyle Bartley finished third in a breakthrough campaign for him.

This was arguably the toughest decision of all but Jay Emmanuel-Thomas’ fantastic blend of style, strength and panache saw him edge past Jack Wilshere. Emmanuel Frimpong came third with Coquelin in fourth.

There were some superb strikes to choose from but Wilshere’s was easily the most audacious. Hitting the ball with the outside of his boot, he curled it into the back of the net sublimely. Fran Mérida clocked up an impressive 70 votes for his dink over Dean Kiely, with Amaury Bischoff’s wonder strike against Fulham suprisingly only amassing 36 votes.

Under Steve Bould’s stewardship, Luke Ayling rose to prominence this season and rightfully took this award. He just edged out Gilles Sunu, who scored some vitally important goals in the FA Youth Cup run.

A substantial amount of young Gunners went out on loan this season but only a few emerged with a lot of credit. Henri Lansbury was certainly one of those, impressing for Scunthorpe scoring four goals and helping them reach the play-off final. Armand Traoré also scored his first professional goal whilst with Portsmouth, with Jay Simpson languishing in third.

With only three players to choose from, Coquelin breezed to his second award with a massive 358 votes. Oguzhan Ozyakup had a solid campaign, whilst Ignasi Miquel broke into the Reserve team despite being just 16.

This was hardly suprising giving Arsenal’s long-standing rivalry with Spurs, although it could be argued that the comeback against Villa in the third round was a much more tricky feat to pull off.

This campaign saw a glut of schoolboys introduced at u-18 level, with Benik Afobe stealing the limelight with 11 goals. Scoring on his debut against Fulham, he went on to become an integral part of Steve Bould’s side as the campaign progessed. Ozyakup couldn’t get close to him in terms of votes, although the lack of votes for the likes of Daniel Boateng and Chuks Aneke are particularly difficult to decipher.

Internationals-Ramsey impresses as Wales edge past Estonia

Wales warmed up for next weekend’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan with a 1-0 friendly victory over Estonia in Lllanelli last night.

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey started the game in central-midfield and impressed during his 67 minutes on the field, pulling the strings in midfield and producing numerous moments of superb skill which captured the imagnation and clearly showed the benefit of training with world-class players such as Cesc Fabregas and Andrey Arshavin at London Colney every morning.

Nottingham Forest striker Robert Earnshaw scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot as John Toshack named the youngest side ever to turn out for Wales at senior level. It was only Ramsey’s fifth appearance for the full Wales side after he was fast-tracked following his superb showing in the UEFA u-21 play-off with England in late 2008. Toshack also handed a debut to Reading forward Steven Church, who found the net against the Three Lions in that aforementioned fixture.

Wales are almost resigned to not qualifying for next summer’s showpiece in South Africa automatcially having amassed a meagre six points out of a possible eighteen and they languish in fourth place in Group 4 going into the next round of fixtures. There is still the slight possibility of qualifying via the medium of finishing second and subsequently entering the play-offs but even that seems far-fetched at present with the impressive Russia currently occupying that position with twelve points and a game in hand.

It looks as if this crop of Welsh youngsters may have to wait until Euro 2012 to express their talent on the big stage but it should prove to be well worth the wait. With the effervescent Ramsey at the helm, the future looks bright.

Arsenal Youth Awards 2009-VOTE NOW

It has been a season to remember for Arsenal’s youngsters and now you can have your say in the second annual Arsenal Youth Awards.

There are eight categories, covering the Reserves, under-18s and loanees plus other awards for the players which have caught the eye this campaign.

VOTING CLOSES AT 5PM THIS SATURDAY (30.06.09)- ANY ENTRIES AFTER THIS TIME WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Wilshere v Stoke

Mérida v West Brom

Bischoff v Fulham

Gibbs v Portsmouth

Emmanuel-Thomas v West Brom

Angha’s physical presence sets him apart, what to expect from Arsenal’s latest recruit+ Carruthers reveals reasons for departure

Few people would have heard of Martin Angha before yesterday’s exclusive transfer news on Jeorge Bird’s Arsenal Youth, but such is the speed at which news is transported nowadays, the merest hint of information can become common knowledge.

But what can we really expect from our latest recruit? Well, judging by the fact that he was thrust straight into the action for the u-16s, rather than the u-15s against Chelsea on Monday at Emirates gives an inkling of just how highly he’s thought of.

At his previous club in his native Switzerland, FC Zürich, Angah stood out from his team-mates in more ways than one. Not only was he technically superior, something Arsenal always look for when considering a player, but physically as well. At 183 centimetres tall, he towers above most defenders his age and, when playing in his preferred position of centre-back, is completely and utterly dominant in the air.

He came to prominence in the recent Nike Cup qualifiers, weighing in with several crucial assists as well as a spectacularly taken goal, and it was this showing which finally convinced Liam Brady to offer him terms.

Contrary to reports, he is already officially an Arsenal player and enjoyed a special Arsenal-themed long weekend, kicking off with watching the FA Youth Cup Final 1st Leg tie against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium, before linking up with his new team-mates and being given a guided tour around London Colney. He then took in the first-team’s victory over Stoke before participating in the aforementioned Chelsea fixture. An undisclosed compensation fee, which could vary depending on his ultimate success in North London, will be paid by Arsenal to Zürich in installments.

Another key attribute of Angha’s is his pace. Whilst this may be unusual for a centre-back, he possesses super-quick speed and is also very talented on the athletics front, much like new team-mate and fellow defender Ben Glasgow.

So, what can we expect from Angha next season? Well, he is likely to start off in the under-16s and should feature regularly for Steve Gatting’s side. However, depending on his success, he may attempt to break into the u-18 side around Christmas time, although this may prove a difficult task with the potentially mouthwatering partnership of Daniel Boateng and Ignasi Miquel ahead of him. A scholarship will follow next summer, with a professional contract likely after that. Being only 15, there is a still a very long way to go for him in terms of footballing development, but the early signs are certainly very promising indeed for the Swiss u-15 international.

One player set to follow in Angha’s footsteps in joining the club is Cheltenham defender Jamie Edge and a fee has been agreed between the two teams, although personal terms are yet to be discussed.

Finally, Samir Carruthers, who recently departed Arsenal for Aston Villa, has revealed the thinking behind his move to the Midlands:

If a team offers you a pro deal then obviously your gonna take it and Villa have a really good reputation for youngsters and the facilities there are class. I also think I could learn a lot from the coaches there.

UEFA u-19 Qualfiers- Mérida strike sends Spain through, Hoyte benched+Walcott and Gibbs for U21s

Fran Mérida’s second-half penalty ensured that seven-time winners Spain qualified for the finals of this summer’s UEFA u-19 European Championships.

Having already enjoyed comfortable victories over the Czech Republic and Estonia, Spain knew that they only required a point against holders Germany to ensure progress into the finals.

It was an end-to-end affair with both sides going for the jugular and Toni Kroos in particular providing a threat for the Germans. However, Spain replied with a barrage of attempts of their own, with Mérida himself coming close.

Mérida would then play a pivotal role in the decisive moment of the match. He was brought down in the area following a reckless challenge from a German defender and confidently strode up to tuck home the resulting penalty and ensure qualification for the next phase.

Spain join Serbia, France and hosts Ukraine in already having qualified for the Finals, with the other four groups yet to conclude.

Gavin Hoyte was an un-used substitute as England kicked off their qualification campaign with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina courtesy of goals from Daniel Rose and Newcastle’s Nile Ranger at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium. They face Slovakia in their next fixture tomorrow before concluding against Scotland on Monday. Only the team which tops the group will progress to the Finals.

In other news, Arsenal’s only representatives at the finals of the U-21 version of the tournament, which kicks off next month, will be two Englishmen in Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs. There has been much debate over Walcott’s inclusion in the squad with manager Arsene Wenger particularly unhappy that the winger has also been called up by Fabio Capello for the senior side’s World Cup qualfiers with Kazakhstan and Andorra.

England will face Finland, hosts Sweden and the impressive Germany in Group A, with other notable names in Stuart Pearce’s selection including Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor and Man.City’s much maligned Micah Richards.

Double win proves strength in depth of Arsenal Academy but next step is crucial

Arsenal’s youngsters are quite rightly being lauded as the best in the country- but there were times this season when it looked as if they were not going to get their hands on one trophy, let alone two.

The Gunners required dramatic comebacks to overturn Aston Villa, Tottenham ans Manchester City in the earlier rounds of the FA Youth Cup before reaching the final and needed a solitary strike from Rhys Murphy to overcome to Spurs in the Premier Academy League Final.

The likes of Jack Wilshere, Sanchez Watt, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Kyle Bartley and Emmanuel Frimpong will take all the plaudits, but spare a thought for the likes of Craig Eastmond, Luke Ayling and Thomas Cruise who have progressed so much this campaign.

In the league, Arsenal used no fewer than 34 players, including 17 schoolboys, with the likes of Zak Ansah, Jernade Meade and Nigel Neita in particular making telling contributions in the latter stages of the campaign. The league was won by a mammoth 25 points but Bould is refusing to be complacent and admits that the hard work is still to come:

“I don’t think any of us should be judged by winning The FA Youth Cup, what we should be judged is by how many kids we can get through to the first team, the Academy has got a fantastic record of that. Now we want to see these kids get into our first team. That’s the next result for us.”

Getting players into the first-team is, of course, the ultimate aim and it can prove a tricky task. Just look at the last times Arsenal won the FA Youth Cup at the turn of the century in 2000 and 2001 and you will see that none of those players are in the current first-team squad at Emirates and very few ply their trade in the Premier League.

But now it is a different kettle of fish altogether. The Arsenal Academy has continued to grow and we are now seeing the benefits of the work put in at Hale End. The scouting network is second to none and whilst we once got the likes of the hapless Itonga brothers, foreign imports are now purused over thoroughly before an offer is even considered. The likes of Gilles Sunu, Oguzhan Ozyakup and Ignasi Miquel, all recent recruits are a testament to this.

We have already seen Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs break into the first-team squad but now it is time for more to follow. The next step for most of these lads is to go on loan and then attempt to break into the Carling Cup squad. Some might never be heard of again, but I have a strong feeling that the core of this side will go on to become Premier League players, even if it is not at Arsenal.

There is a big step up to the first-team and that is what going on loan is all about. Henri Lansbury has experienced it this year and now he is ready for a proper crack at it. Loan spells can work reversely of course and the temporary club may offer a substantial amount to tie that player up on a permanent basis, a la Anthony Stokes, but, then again, not everyone can make it.

Ironically, most of the Arsenal Acadmies biggest successes didn’t win the FA Youth Cup, the likes of Tony Adams and David Rocastle spring to mind, but these boys will want to prove the exception to that rule.

Whatever happens it will be interesting to look back in, say, 10 or 15 years time and analyse how far these boys have come from a historic night at Anfield.

Exclusive- Arsenal’s new signing Martin Angha + Video

[Angha, on the left, pictured with Nigel Neita]

Arsenal may have just won the FA Youth Cup but that doesn’t stop them preparing for the future.

The club have completed the signing of 15 year-old FC Zürich defender Martin Angha on a schoolboy contract which will become a scholarship on his 16th birthday.

Angha, full name Martin Angha-Lötscher, had been watched by Liam Brady’s coaching staff for the past six months and came to the fore during the recent Nike Cup qualifiers.

The tall Swiss linked up with his team-mates for the first time late last week and received executive box tickets for him and his family to take in the final game of the season at home to Stoke City. He was subsequently given a guided tour around the club’s state-of-the-art training ground at London Colney before making his first appearance in a Gunners shirt on Tuesday in front of 3000 people at Emirates Stadium for the u-15s in their 2-1 victort over Chelsea.

Angha is comfortable all across the back four but prefers to play at centre-back and impressed during the low-key fixture at Emirates. At 183 centimetres tall he is not quite in Ignasi Miquel’s range but still possesses a threat from set-pieces and was one of the most highly regarded talents at his previous clubs.

You will no doubt be hearing a lot more about this precocious talent in the months and years to come and below is a slideshow from his involvement in the aforementioned Nike Cup qualifiers.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SLIDESHOW

Martin Angha Factfile:

Full name: Martin Angha-Löchter

D.O.B.: 22/01/94 (Age 15)

Nationality: Swiss

Position: Defender

Previous Clubs: FC Zürich

Match Report- Liverpool 1 (2) Arsenal 2 (6)- Young Gunners win FA Youth Cup to seal double on 20th anniversary of Anfield triumph

Arsenal u-18s cemented their place as the best Youth side in the country following their FA Youth Cup triumph at Anfield.

Leading 4-1 from the first leg, the Gunners knew that they could concede two goals and still get their hands on the prestigious silverware, but they went for broke and were rewarded with a 2-1 victory. Sanchez Watt opened the scoring before Liverpool levelled through Lauri Dalla Valle. Liverpool were boosted by their goal and created a host of chances, but it was the Gunners who were celebrating once more when Daniel Ayala converted past his own ‘keeper to send the Cup to North London.

Steve Bould made one enforced change from Friday’s first leg, with Watt replacing the sidelined Emmanuel Frimpong. Watt’s inclusion would pay dividends and it also saw Jack Wilshere slot into a central-midfield berth alongside Francis Coquelin, a position he revelled in.

Liverpool were clearly the underdogs and many had written them off already, but they still believed they could do it. They were under pressure almost immediately, however, when Wilshere flashed a clever ball across the face of goal and Henri Lansbury was denied by Dean Bouzanis from a tight angle.

At the other end, the hosts almost took the lead on the night when Lauri Dalla Valle capitalised on a sloppy back-pass from Thomas Cruise. Thankfully, James Shea produced a superb save to deny the Finnish U-21 international.

Arsenal had an effort cleared off the line after Wilshere had shot following Watt’s glance down from Lansbury’s corner and, true to the nature of a real ebb and flow game, Liverpool responded almost immediately, with Alexander Kacaniklic testing Shea with a fierce drive.

Gilles Sunu saw had a half-chance saved by Bouzanis, but the telling moment came in the 24th minute when a long ball from skipper Jay Emmanuel-Thomas bamboozled the Liverpool defence; it fell to the prolific Watt who raced away from the swathes of red shirts attempting to stop him before lifting the ball over Bouzanis and into to the back of the net for 1-0.

Once more, Liverpool didn’t rest on their laurels and launced a quick response with Paul Ince’s son Thomas seeing his shot squirm through Shea’s fingers, fortunately the Islington-born stopper soon smothered the ball comfortably in his grasp.

Arsenal went into the break with a healthy advantage, but Hughie Mc Auley’s side still fancied their chances and took the lead six minutes after the re-start. Dalla Valle destroyed Arsenal’s defence with a bursting run and slotted past Shea for his eigth goal of the competition this season.

Watt had a couple of chances to restore the lead, first hitting narrowly over after being teed up by Coquelin and then coming close with an audacious bicycle kick from a Lansbury set-piece.

Arsenal introduced Rhys Murphy, Conor Henderson and Cedric Evina to the fray as time ticked on and it was clear by this stage, it had been for a long time, that Liverpool weren’t going to come back now.

After four minutes of stoppage time, referee Lee Mason blew his whistle for the final time and the curtain came down on a historic season for this batch of special, immensely talented youngsters.

Unbeaten in both league and cup since the turn of the year, 99 goals scored this season, just two defeats all campaign and scoring in every game this season.

Those are the bare facts of a sensational season which has yielded both the Premier Academy League and the FA Youth Cup, the latter a competition which has evaded the club since 2001.

Twenty years on from Michael Thomas’ historic goal at Anfield, another player named Thomas celebrated in Merseyside as he held the FA Youth Cup aloft.

Who knows, he and the rest of his team-mates may go on to become even bigger names than the side of 1989.

Arsenal win FA Youth Cup after 2-1 victory

——————————————Shea—————————–

—Eastmond———-Bartley——————————Ayling————-Cruise

-Lansbury———Coquelin——————–Wilshere——–Thomas

———————–Sunu————————Watt.

subs: Mann, Murphy, Henderson, Evina, Ozyakup.

More to follow…

Match Preview- FA Youth Cup Final 2nd.Leg- Liverpool (1) v Arsenal (4)

Arsenal u-18s are 90 minutes away from making history.

Having already wrapped up the Premier Academy League title, Steve Bould’s side can become the first team to do the ‘double’ since the nation’s most significant youth league reformed in the summer of 2004.

The youngsters travel to Anfield tonight full of confidence following their comprehesnive 4-1 victory over Liverpool in Friday’s first leg at Emirates Stadium. Liverpool did not perform at anywhere near their best that night but it could be a very different story on Merseyside this evening.

The likes of Tom Ince, Lauri Dalla Valle and Alex Kacaniklic will pose the most potent threat, although Arsenal know that they can concede two goals without reply and still get their hands on the prestigious silverware.

This season’s FA Youth Cup run has been nothing short of sensational. From the comebacks at Villa Park, White Hart Lane and the City of Manchester Stadium to the comprehensive victories at Emirates and the Stadium of Light.

The majority of these players have grew up with eachother, since they joined the club at the tender age of nine. Only now are we beginning to see the benefit of the countless hours of hardwork put in at Hale End and, latterly, London Colney.

Seven players have started all seven of the seven games in this competition this season, but one of them will miss out tonight. Powerhouse midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong was withdrawn after just 15 minutes of the first leg with a pulled thigh muscle and didn’t make the trip to Merseyside.

His injury will open the door for Sanchez Watt and could see Bould plump for a more orthodox 4-4-2, with Jack Wilshere dropping back to partner Francis Coquelin in central-midfield. Rhys Murphy will have to be content with a place on the bench once again, whilst the ever-present back four will start once more.

Predicted team:

——————————————Shea—————————–

—Eastmond———-Bartley——————————Ayling————-Cruise

—————————————-Coquelin———————————————

—Lansbury————————-Wilshere————————————Thomas

—————————————-Watt—————————————————-

—————————————-Sunu—————————————————-

subs: Mann, Murphy, Henderson, Evina, Ozyakup

Of the 12 outfielders to have started for the Gunners in this competition this campaign, only Frimpong and Wilshere will be eligible to play next season, all the more reason to win it tonight.

Twenty years on from the historic league victory at Anfield on the final day of the 88/89 season, how fitting would it be for a player named Thomas to lift a highly sought after trophy in this particular part of Merseyside.

It could become a reality tonight and would be the most apt of tributes to the side which Steve Bould played an integral part in.