Arsenal Tracking Juventus Youngster Giovinco

Arsenal are believed to be tracking Juventus starlet Sebastian Giovinco with a potential bid being lined up to the 21 year old contract rebel.

Giovinco has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in Europe after a hugely successful season on loan at Empoli, in which he bagged six goals in 35 appearances. His stunning free-kick equaliser against Roma caught the eye, and even though he is only 1.64cm, he is nicknamed the “Little Giant”.

Naturally after an excellent season on loan, Juventus are keen to promote him to their first team next year, but a dispute over a new deal has seen Arsenal amongst other show a reported interest. Juve’s transfer director Alessio Secco is only willing to offer an extra €500,000 per year, while Giovinco and his agent believe he his potential is worth investing in.

Manchester United and Chelsea are the other club’s that have been mentioned, but the players representative has claimed he was “confident” over a new deal, meaning it seemed the matter would be closed.

However, fans of the Old Lady have been worried in recent weeks with news that Secco would be willing to negotiate his transfer, and that Palmero had made tentative inquires. Sebastian has represented Italy at every single level, although he is yet to make his full debut.

He also won the Player Of The Tournament award in the recent Toulon festival, a competition which Arsenal frequently scout. Juventus have shown an interest in Arsenal’s Spanish play-maker Fran Merida, a potential replacement if Giovinco was to leave.

Arsène Wenger will no doubt take heart from the excellent performances from several of his young stars during the 2-1 win against Barnet, but if the price was right, Sebastian could end up at the Emirates next season.

Article By - J.Sanderson

Barnet 1-2 Arsenal - Friendly - Match Report

A 5,500 strong crowd watched on this afternoon as Arsenal began their pre-season with a nervous 2-1 win over Barnet. The fixture saw a whole host of youngsters get the chance to impress, with two or three making their first appearances for the club.

Gael Clichy was named stand in skipper at left back, with Denilson and Ramsey the central midfield pairing. Armand Traore and Henri Lansbury were on either flank, and had the free licence to assist Walcott and Bendtner in attack.

Almunia
Sagna - Nordtveit - J.Hoyte - Clichy (c)
Lansbury - Denilson - Ramsey - Traore
Walcott - Bendtner

Coquelin Added To Arsenal Squad For Barnet Fixture

Young Guns has learnt that Arsenal have added 17 year old Frenchman Francis Coquelin to the travelling party for tomorrow’s pre-season certain raiser against Barnet.

Arsenal.com confirmed the news we told you two months ago that Coquelin has signed for the club, but it is thought the deal was only announced today to avoid confusion ahead of the 3pm kick off tomorrow.

It’s not known if he 17 year old all action defensive midfielder will feature, although his late inclusion would seem that Arsène Wenger already has his plans fixed for the game. Just travelling with the squad will offer a fantastic experience for the France Under 17 International who joined Arsenal on a free transfer.

Both sides have opted to play in the classic 1-11 shirts, with the substitutes wearing 12-25. It is not know if Coquelin’s promoting is as the result of any injuries, but we believe he has been added on his own merit.

You can read a complete Match Preview ahead of the game Here, and a Profile on Francis himself by clicking his name at the start of the article.

Article By - J.Sanderson

Arsenal Confirm Coquelin Deal - Shirt Number Revealed

Arsenal have finally announced the signing of Francis Coquelin from Stade Lavallois, and confirmed the 17 year old will be on professional forms.

Young Guns first revealed news of Coquelin after the young defensive midfielder came on trial during the summer, and even though he picked up a thigh injury, the Gunners pressed home their interest and offered him a four year contract.

Nantes, Lyon, Rennes, Le Havre and Lorient also made offers, but Francis admitted that the Arsène Wenger influence swayed his decision. After completing his transfer in late May, he was forced to remain in France to undertake his exams, but returned to London two weeks ago for pre-season.

The French Under 17 International will be a regular for the Reserves during the coming season, and has been handed the number 59 shirt. All of the Under 18’s and Reserves have squad numbers, although the possibility of Coquelin featuring in the Carling Cup is very real.

You can see a picture of Francis at training Here.

Article By - J.Sanderson

Barnet V Arsenal - Friendly - Match Preview

Tomorrow afternoon sees a much needed relief from all the transfer speculation and gossip, as Arsenal play their first pre-season friendly against League 2 side Barnet.

The fixture has become a regular in recent years, with the Gunners opting to play the game as a part of the agreement which allows our Reserve team to ground share at the Bees Underhill Stadium. Not only is this a traditional encounter between the two sides, but it is also common for Arsene Wenger to deploy many of the youth players as he plans his squad for the coming season.

Last year saw a whole array of talents take to the field during the second half, and this year promises to be no different. New signing Aaron Ramsey is set to make his debut after signing last month, as will Carlos Vela who has had to wait over two years to finally pull on the red and white.

Manuel Almunia, Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, Denilson, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott are the only first team inclusions, with the majority of the boys set to take part being under 19. Jack Wilshere and Wojciech Szczesny are both in the squad, despite playing in Steve Bould’s Under 18’s last year.

Mark Randall and Jay Simpson have both returned from loan spells with points to prove, and several Reserves regulars will be fighting to remain at the club, with prospective new employers set to watch on. Wenger will have key choices to make on the wings, with either Armand Traore or Jay Simpson to get the nod.

Predictied Starting XI

Almunia (c)
Sagna - J.Hoyte - Nordtveit - Clichy
Simpson - Ramsey - Denilson - Walcott
Bendtner - Vela

Both sides can make up to seven changes each, and it’s expected Vito Mannone will have the chance to showcase his abilities after his promotion to the first team. Henri Lansbury has not played a competitive fixture for nearly six months, but he is also believed to get some game time, as is last years goalscorer Nacer Barazite.

Steve Bould will be taking an Under 18 side to Derby for a friendly tomorrow evening, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas will skipper the boys, with Francis Coquelin believed to be set for a debut.

Prediction: - Barnet 0-2 Arsenal

What do you think? Leave your predictions in the comment section below.

Article By - J.Sanderson

Young Guns Is Six Months Old Today - Big Thank You

Young Guns celebrates a special anniversary today, as it’s six months since the website’s very first article, and i would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their continued support.

Although the very first version of the blog was forced to close, since coming back under the name “Young Guns” we have gone from strength to strength achieving huge success. During the first month we were not registered on any news syndicates such as NewsNow or Gooner News, but testament to our hard work, and your fantastic support, we are steadily establishing ourselves amongst a competitive array of Arsenal blogs.

Last week we notched up 2.5 million individual hits, and inside six months that is truly sensational. But one of the main features of Young Guns is not about the hits, amount of comments, or success, (although that is nice) but offering a fresh and interesting perspective on Arsenal.

Sure we have made the odd mistake along the way, but with your insightful and helpful comments we firmly believe we have established a winning formula. The comment sections are often a fantastic read on there own, with a whole bunch of different characters sharing their views. From first time commenter’s, or our resident joker “Clacko The Gooner“, and of course to “Me” who’s insights often provoke debate.

So today is all about saying a massive thank you to everybody so far, and we look forward to your continued support in the future. If you have any ideas, suggestions, concerns or anything else, you are more than welcome to leave a comment below, or e-mail us.

Article By - J.Sanderson

Euro Championships Day 2 - Gibbs & Mérida Start

Day two of The UEFA European Under 19 Championship’s got under way this afternoon, with Kieran Gibbs’s England taking on the Italians, and Fran Merida’s Spain up against the surprise package in Hungary.

Kieran Gibbs started the game. [Match Report To Follow]

Fran Mérida started the game as a left midfield play-maker in a 4-3-3, and played 65 minutes as Spain went crashing out of the competition. Olivér Nagy’s late strike condemned the holders to defeat, and booked Hungary’s place in the knock out rounds.

Scroll down for full reports on both fixtures.

Euro Championships Day 2 - Mérida & Gibbs - Streams

Day two of The UEFA European Under 19 Championship’s gets under way this afternoon, with Kieran Gibbs’s England taking on a tricky Italian side, and Fran Mérida’s Spain up against the impressive Hungary.

UEFA have teamed up with Eurosport to stream a select number of group fixtures, and all of the knock out rounds. You can either watch the games live on Eurosport, or read match reports right here after the games. You can see the full schedule of games which will be broadcast Here.

If you do not have the Eurosport TV channel for whatever reason, or you would prefer to watch the fixtures on your computer, live streaming is available on the Eurosport website. Alternatively you can access the player directly by clicking Here.

Some people had issues with this link, and if the problem is the same today French Eurosport offered excellent streaming on Monday.

The only game being broadcast today is Fran’s game against Hungary, although you will be able to see a full report on Gibbs’s game against Italy after full time. Both players are expected to start in their respective fixtures.

17.00 (5pm) - Spain V Hungary
19.00 (7pm) - England V Italy

Article By - J.Sanderson