PFA Player of the Year Nominees

Charlie Adam – Blackpool

Hardly anybody had heard of Charlie Adam a year ago and he rose to fame in January when he was a transfer target for Aston Villa, Liverpool and Spurs.  Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway, dismissed Aston Villa’s £ 3.5 millio n bid and stated ‘I w ant him to go to a strong club with a strong manager who will love him and where he will be able to win things’.  Charlie Adam has played a vital part in Blackpool’s relegation struggle this season making 28 appearances and scoring 9 goals and claiming 7 assists so far for a team which he captains.  Blackpool are demanding a minimum of £14 million for Charlie Adam who has put in so many excellent performances this season , resulting in him being nominated for this award.

Click on the picture to see Charlie Adam's season highlights

Gareth Bale – Tottenham Hotspur

This season has proved to be a revelation for Gareth Bale as he has transformed himself from a domestic joke (playing a record 24 Premier League games without being on the winning side)  to a player who has taken the breath away from fans all across Europe.  The incredible performance against Italian champions Internazionale, in which he scored a superb hat-trick, was repeated a fortnight later.  Gareth Bale has equally impressed domestically this season scoring a remarkable volley against Stoke and scoring a goal against Arsenal which sparked a comeback which will live long in the memory of all Spurs fans.  Bale has played 25 games in this breakthrough season scoring 7 goals and claiming 1 assist so far.

Click on the picture to see Gareth Bale’s season highlights

Samir Nasri – Arsenal

A major concern for Arsene Wenger at the start of the season was who to use in the central role if Cesc Fabregas does move to Barcelona in a move which has looked eminent for a long time.  However, this is not such a serious problem now as Wenger and Arsenal can both see that the potential that Samir Nasri has is starting to be fulfilled.  An integral part of Arsenal’s creativity in the absence of Cesc Fabregas and showing that he was equally able to take his skills out to the wings with the same amounts of success when Fabregas was present in the Arsenal starting 11.  Nasri has played 24 games so far scoring 9 goals and claiming one assist in a season which has seen him second only to van Persie in terms of goals for Arsenal.

Click the picture to see Nasri’s season highlights

Scott Parker – West Ham

Parker’s fine form this season has finally been rewarded by Fabio Capello as Parker’s England career finally has lift-off, 8 years after making his debut for his country.  Parker has enjoyed a superb season and has been as influential on the field for West Ham as when he is in the dressing-room.  Parker gave an inspirational half-time team talk when West Ham were 3-0 down to relegation rivals West Brom in a game which saw West Ham recover from this 3-0 deficit to draw 3-3.  This team talk prompted teammate Carlton Cole to say ‘We were diabolical but Scott was inspirational’.  Scott Parker has played 29 league games so far scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists in a season which is undoubtedly the best of the 30-year-old’s 14-year and 5-club career.

Click on the picture to see Scott Parker’s season highlights

Carlos Tevez – Manchester City

If the voting for this award had taken place earlier in the season, then Carlos Tevez would have been the most likely to win. However, Tevez scored only his first goal in the last 8 games with a penalty against Sunderland last weekend.  This season, like last, has seen so many exceptional performances from the Argentinian striker who has obtained a reputation for being a prolific scorer.  This reputation is not without sufficient justification as Tevez has scored 19 league goals in 27 league starts so far with a further 6 assists.  On top of this, 6 of the 19 goals have been match winners for Manchester City which goes to show just how valuable he is to his club.

Click on the picture to see Carlos Tevez's season highlights

Rafael Van der Vaart – Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham fans will consider £8 million a bargain buy for a player who has put in performances the likes of which Rafael Van der Vaart has put in this season.  The Dutchman showed versatility as he immediately settled into Tottenham playing just behind a lone striker.  An excellent understanding with Peter Crouch has been established through this formation and Van der Vaart regularly profits from Crouch’s hold-up style of play.  For a foreign player playing his first season in English football, 10 league goals of 21 league games so far is an excellent record and something that Van der Vaart can look to build on next season.

Click on the picture to see Rafael Van der Vaart's season highlights

Nemanja Vidic – Manchester United

Centre-backs are often the least appreciated of all the footballers but Nemanja Vidic is indispensable to Manchester United.  Everything he lacks in terms of creativity, he makes up for through his outstanding defensive work, both in the air and on the ground.  Nemanja Vidic has held the Manchester United defence together in a season which has seen Rio Ferdinand hampered by injury.  Vidic has played 29 league games so far this season scoring 4 goals.

Click on the picture to see a Nemanja Vidic compilation

Circuses-Behind the Laughter

Shocking videos and images of circus animals being mistreated at a circus currently touring Knutsford in Cheshire have recently been revealed.  Hidden cameras have shown awful footage of Anne the elephant being repeatedly hit with a pitchfork by  Romanian elephant groomer Nicolae Nitu.  The owner of the circus, Moira Roberts, claimed to be unaware of the torture that the animals were enduring; however her husband Bobby Roberts was filmed standing next to Nicolae Nitu as he stabbed Anne the elephant with a pitchfork and kicked her in her leg which is afflicted by arthritis.

Nicolae Nitu shown beating Anne the elephant with a pitchfork.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have worked hard to ensure that circus animals are not trained by using electric shock prods, whips, hooks or any instrument to harm the animals in the circus.  PETA’s website claims that ‘ Bears, elephants, tigers and other animals do not voluntarily ride bicycles, stand on their heads, balance on balls or jump through rings of fire. They don’t perform these and other difficult tricks because they want to; they perform them because they are afraid of what will happen if they don’t.’  There is no point in pretending that these tortures which are inflicted on these helpless animals are a thing of the past.  Of course these videos are not the first of their kind; an undercover investigation at ‘Barson and Carnes Circus’ showed animal care director Tim Frisco training endangered Asian elephants with electrical shock prods.

'Anne couldn't have survived if she hadn't been well looked after' - Moira Roberts

After many protests, 57-year-old Anne has been moved and rehomed at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire.  Moira Roberts, 72, said ‘It’s like losing one of your children.  Anne couldn’t have survived if she hadn’t been well looked after.’  The man seen beating Anne, Nicolae Nitu, has since disappeared and it is believed that he has returned home to Romania or another part of Eastern Europe.  Transporting Anne proved to be extremely difficult due to her arthritic leg but she was successfully transported and arrived at Longleat Safari Park on Sunday 3rd April 2011 after a petition to have her freed obtained 7000 names.

A Four-year-old at the protests outside 'Bobby Roberts Super Circus' while it toured Cheshire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1184fjfrMSA

Anne was Britain’s last circus elephant and will no longer have to endure and more beatings at Longleat Safari Park.  However the war against animals being used in circuses is far from over.  A consultation found that 95% of people felt that it is unacceptable to use any kind of wild animal in a travelling circus. Donations can be made at PETA’s website and the Daily Mail website.  This will go towards helping more animals, like Anne, who are maliciously beaten by their so-called ‘carers’.  Anne will now live out the rest of her days in peace at Longleat Safari Park and will no longer have to endure any more beatings.

Anne plays with a tyre at her new home

Anne is looked after by carers at Longleat Safari Park

Anne enjoys a sand shower

A Day Never To Forget

Racist Problems in Russian Football

Russia has recently been awarded the right to host the 2018 World Cup after a very successful World Cup bid.  Russia promised to clear up the ongoing problem of racism in the Russian Premier League.  Many of the fans of Zenit St Petersburg say that they ‘do not want black players’ in their team.  But it is not just Zenit fans who feel this way; it is all the Russian Premier League clubs.  It seems that campaigns to prevent these racist comments and chants, which forced Peter Odemwingie to leave Lokamotiv Moscow, are not enough.  But what can be done?  Is it plausible to start fining clubs large amounts of money or even deduct points if racist chants continue in the Russian Premier League?

Russian Football Union director general Alexei Sorokin

The Russian Premier League is becoming known for making players of African origin to feel uncomfortable.  However, the chief of Russia’s 2018 world cup bid has defended this racism by saying that ‘racism in Russian football is no worse than anywhere else’.  Lokamotiv Moscow displayed a racist banner towards Peter Odemwingie after his sale to West Brom which said ‘ Thanks West Brom’ and had a picture of a banana.  Yet the Russian Football Union’s director general did not fine Lokamotiv after he deemed the banner ‘not racist’.  Fans of Zenit St Petersburg recently waved bananas at legendary Brazilian full-back Roberto Carlos who now plays for Anzhi Makhachkala.  Roberto Carlos has demanded action but said that ‘he is too old to let idiotic fans affect his game’.

Racist Banner dislpayed by Lokamotiv Moscow fans following the departure of Peter Odemwingie

The first actions are starting to be taken by the Russian Football Union.  Just before their successful World Cup bid, the Russian Football Union set up a 7-point memorandum for the purpose of fighting racism.  This memorandum contains anti-racist guidelines and establishing a website called racism offside but this has not yet been set up.  Zenit St Petersburg have been threatened with having to play games behind closed doors if they are unable to control the actions of their fans.  Zenit fans have made it public knowledge that they do not want to see the club sign a player of African origin and on top of this, they are the only side in the Russian Premier League not to do so.

It would appear that the Russian authorities are starting to try to try to eliminate this racist reputation but also that the fans are not so willing.  Zenit were fined £38,000 by Uefa after black players playing for French outfit Marseille were subjected to vile ‘monkey chanting’ by fans.  Vlastimil Petrela, the manager of Zenit in 2004, claimed that he was not allowed to offer a contract to a black player.  He said ‘I wanted to hire a black player but I could not.  Whenever I raised the issue, the answer was always “Zenit is not interested”‘.  With World Cup 2018 on the horizon, the fans of these Russian football clubs must start to take action and help to eliminate racism.  This racism that plagues the Russian Premier League, forcing players such as Peter Odemwingie to leave their club, must be stopped now.  Racism is never acceptable and Russia must live up to their promise of delivering a World Cup in 2018 which is completely free of these racist comments and actions towards players.

Wales 0-2 England

A very strong performance from England was enough to see off a brave Welsh side who continued to fight right through to the end but eventually lost by 2 goals to 0.  The Welsh team gradually increased in strength as the game went on but a poor opening 15 minutes in which England scored twice proved to be too great a deficit to recover from.  In truth, The Dragons lacked a cutting-edge in the absence of Gareth Bale who was unable to play due to a calf injury.

England opened the scoring after just 7 minutes when Frank Lampard scored from a penalty which sent Wayne Hennessey the wrong way.  The penalty came about after a poor tackle from James Collins as he brought down Villa team-mate Ashley Young.  England doubled their lead in the 15th minute with a superb piece of counter-attacking play.  Ashley Young sprinted down the right to retrieve a superb pass from Glenn Johnson and sent a low cross into the feet of an unmarked Darren Bent who placed the ball in the roof of the goal.  The entire first half was dominated by England who came close to making it three just before half-time when Ashley Young showed great technique by letting the ball drop before turning and volleying the ball goalwards and was unlucky to see his shot go just over the crossbar.

A mistake from Wayne Hennessey nearly gifted England a goal just after the restart when his sloppy clearance landed at the feet of Ashley Young who whipped in a cross which was a  just a little too high for Wayne Rooney.  Wales had their first chance in the hour mark when a poor mistake from Glen Johnson put Steve Morrison in for Wales but he was unable to get his shot away due to a superb sliding tackle from re-instated England captain John Terry.  Wales started to put pressure on England and were nearly rewareded when Ramsey fired just over after a poor defensive header from John Terry. Wales manager Gary Speed made a double change after 65 minutes bringing on David Vaughan and Ched Evans for a quiet Andy King and a poor Steve Morrison. David Vaughan made an immediate impact as he prevented Ashley Cole’s pass from reaching Darren Bent who would have been through on goal.

Towards the end of the game, a Welsh fan initially targeted Ashley Cole with a laser-pen and then Jack Wislhere as he came off to be replaced by Stewart Downing after a dangerous challenge by Vaughan which resulted in a yellow card.  England have since filed a complaint.  Olegario Benquerenca handed out 6 yellow cards, 3 of which came in the closing 10 minutes which saw Wales starting to string together some passing moves before substitute Stewart Downing cut in from the right before firing a fizzing shot which beat Hennessey but flew just wide of the goal.

This game was a statement of intent from England with a new formation and a new style of playing.  England held the ball extremely well in the midfield due to some excellent performances from Scott Parker, Jack Wislhere and Frank Lampard.  However Aaron Ramsey, the youngest ever captain of Wales, has no reason to be displeased with his overall performance.  He will be disapointed that his side did not get any points out of this game and that Wales remain at the bottom of Group G without a point as any hope of qualifying is rapidly disapearing.

MOM – Ashley Young

Arsenal Summer Transfers Wishlist-2011

Many Arsenal fans have voiced their concerns over the performances of several players in the Arsenal first team this season.  Questionable performances have been put in by players the likes of Denilson, Sebastian Squillaci, Emmanual Eboue, Tomas Rosicky, Manual Almunia and Nicklas Bendtner.  With the probability of another season with no trophy looking increasingly likely as the season progresses, something must be done in the summer transfer market.  Several big name signings must be brought in to replace these players yet Arsene Wenger is not a manager who is known for ‘big money signings’ and in recent years has opted for younger players who are not yet ready for first team football.

Players Out

Manual Almunia – A very inconsistent player  for Arsenal this season.  He was excellent in the Champions League defeat to Barcelona but made a dreadful mistake against West Brom the following week.  Szczesny has put in some excellent performances this season and is now my first choice Arsenal keeper and Arsenal have sufficient goalkeeping cover except for unusual circumstances.

Sebastian Squillaci – A defender who is extremely prone to mistakes and who has made errors which have cost Arsenal games in some matches.  A new centre-back is essential for Arsenal as well as the eagerly anticipated return of Thomas Vermaelen who has been sorely missed this season.

Denilson – Denilson has come under heavy criticism from the Arsenal fans in recent months.  He has been described by Wenger as an ‘intelligent passer’ but a 90% passing success rate is irrelevant if the majority of passes are backwards into defense.  Denilson’s form has been so poor in recent games, that Arsenal fans have cheered when he has been substituted.

Emmanual Eboue – Eboue is loved by Arsenal fans; not because of his ability, but his theatrics on the field.  Many Arsenal fans would be deeply saddened to see him leave the club however a number of lackluster performances mean that a move away from the Emirates may be on the cards.

Tomas Rosicky – Rosicky has had trouble finding form due to several injuries that he has sustained over the past few seasons.  It may be time for the Czech midfielder to move to a new club.

Nicklas Bendtner – Bendtner has the highest self-confidence ever recorded by an Arsenal player and has been accused by many Arsenal fans of selfish play.  He threatened  to leave earlier this season if his demands of more first team football were not met.  Blackburn and three top Bundesliga clubs have all expressed a desire to sign Bendtner.

Players In

Benedict Howedes – Arsenal were linked with a move for the young German centre-back in January and are rumored to be keeping track of the centre back who currently plays in Germany for Schalke 04.

Samir Handanovic – The 25 year old Slovenian goalkeeper plays for Udinese in Italy and is showing great potential.  Udinese’s reluctance to sell Handanovic may place a hefty price tag on him and according to Sky Sports, Handanovic is one of the players ‘at the top of Wenger’s wanted list’.

Eden Hazard – Another player who was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal in January.  Hazard is recognized as a young player with high potential but several top clubs including Chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid so Wenger must act swiftly if he wants to secure this deal.

Khouma Babacar – There have been rumors that Arsenal are looking to sign the highly rated 17 year old Senegalese striker but competition will be high for the Fiorentina star.  According to Sky Sports, Babacar described himself as  ‘flattered’ by the interest shown from Arsenal but he would rather ‘learn his trade (at Fiorentina).’

Ganso (Paulo-Henrique) –  Ganso is being pursued by a number of top premier league clubs.  Real Madrid and Barcelona have also shown an interest in signing the player.  The 21 year old Brazilian midfielder has been dubbed the next Zidane by Brazilian pundits.

Alan Dzagoev – Dzagoev scored a magnificent goal against Manchester United in the Champions League and has been recognized for his passing ability.  He would be an excellent replacement for Denilson, should the Brazilian leave.  Dzagoev has been dubbed the new Andrei Arshavin but can equally adapt as a central midfielder.  Little interest in the young Russian has been shown by Arsenal but Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed his desire to sign Dzagoev.

Jano Ananidze – The News of the World reported that Arsenal were chasing Ananidze but his club, Spartak Moscow, issued a statement saying that ‘no offers will be considered until he (Ananidze) is in his 20’s.’

Romario – The young Brazilian right-back plays for Vitoria in his home country.  He shares the name of a Brazilian legend and has the potential to be equally as good as his namesake.  He is excellent at bombing forward down the wing into attack and definitely a player to watch out for in the future.

As you may have noticed, many of the players I would like to see join Arsenal are quite young.  However they all have something in common and they are not on this list for no reason.  These are all players with extremely high potential and will all go on to achieve great things, but they are also very versatile players and that is why they are likely to be successful at Arsenal.  They will be able to adapt to the ‘Arsenal way of playing’ very easily.  I feel that players such as Ganso, Dzagoev, Howedes and Handanovic would be able to come into the side and make an immediate impact.  Ananidze, Romario, Babacar and Hazard are still very young and would need time to adapt to this style.

The Arsenal first team is often plagued with injuries and sufficient cover is needed.  It is essential that if Arsenal are to push for major silverware next season, they must make several changes to the current starting line-up.  Arsenal fans are losing patience now and something must be done otherwise Wenger, like Denilson, Squillaci and Almunia, will have his position at Arsenal in question.

Where Are They Now?-Arsenal’s Youth Intake 2001-2005

Every Year, roughly 10 players will graduate with scholarships into Arsenal F.C Academy  which is widely recognized as one of the top football academies in the country.  But very little make it into the Premier League and the majority of Arsenal’s first team did not come through the youth system.

Here is a list of all the players that obtained scholarships to Arsenal F.C Academy and their progress in the game since:

2001

Brett Freeman-Brett was released by Arsenal and moved on a free to Barnet where he still plays today.

Justin Hoyte– Had a brief loan spell at Sunderland where he played 27 games before moving for a fee in the region of £3 million to Middlesbrough where he has made 77 league appearances scoring 1 league goal.

Alfie Kamara-Was released by Arsenal after failing to impress.  Had a trial at Leicester in February 2003 but has not since been with a cub.

Ashley Probets-Was released by Arsenal and has since had spells at Rochdale, Barnet, Welling United and VCD Athletic before moving to Dartford who play in the Blue Square Premier

Stephen Bradley-Upon being released by Arsenal, Bradley joined Dunfermline Athletic before moving to Drogheda United in Ireland.  Bradley then returned to Scotland playing for Falkirk.  Since moving back to Ireland, he has played for Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic.

Jordan Fowler-Jordan Fowler spent some time on loan at Chesterfield but joined Kettering Town on a free after failing to break into the Arsenal first team.

Sam Kanu-Sam Kanu was left needing round the clock care after being attacked whilst challenging a shoplifter.  Sam is now unable to walk or talk due to this horrific attack.

Sebastian Larsson-One of the most successful players to come out of Arsenal’s youth system.  Larsson is now a first team regular for Birmingham where he has made a total of 148 league games scoring 18 goals.  Sky Sports statistics have shown that he is the most accurate free-kick taker in the F.A Premier League.

Wayne O’sullivan-Wayne O’sullivan moved to Braintree Town in 2003 and has been there ever since.

Adam Birchall-Was loaned out to Wycombe Wanderers before moving to Mansfield.  Birchall has since been on loan to Barnet before moving there permanently and now plays for Dover Athletic where he has played 50 league games and scored 33 goals.

Michael Gordon-Joined Lincoln after being released by Arsenal.  Gordon played 5 games for Luton before being released and has not been at a club since.

Dean Shiels-Moved to Hibernian after being released by Arsenal.  He moved to Doncaster Rovers for a fee of £50,000 and has played 80 league games and scored 10 goals for Doncaster Rovers.

2002

Michael Jordan-The 6ft 10in goalkeeper was released by Arsenal and has since made appearences for Yeovil, Chesterfield, Lewes, Stevenage, Eastbourne and Farnbourogh.  He has made 34 appearences for Farnborough in the Conference south this season.

Sam Oji– Oji’s career was cut short by a serious leg injury that he suffered while on trial with Leyton Orient.

Hassan Sulaiman-Hassan currently plays for Bishop’s Stortford after spells at St Albans City, Crawley Town and Wigan Athletic.

Dorian Small-Dorian Small was released by Arsenal and no longer plays for a club.

Marcus Artry-Artry was jailed for 9 years in 2003 after a string of sex attacks on women and girls.

Patrick Cregg-Patrick Cregg has played for several Scottish clubs since being released by Arsenal.  He made 107 league appearences for Falkirk before moving to Hibernian on a free transfer.  Creeg has since gone on to sign for St. Mirren.

Inji Hojsted-Inji failed to break into the Birmingham team after being released by Arsenal in 2005 and now plays for B36 Torshavn.

Neil Kilkenny-Neil Kilkenny has had much success with Leeds United since being released by Arsenal.  He spent time on loan at Oldham Athletic before permanently moving to Leeds.  Unfortunately he missed the a return to his former club as he was away on international duty with Australia.

Stephen O’Donnel-O’Donnel was released from Arsenal after just one year and has since played for a number of teams.  The teams he has played for are Falkirk, Bohemians, Cork City, Galway United and Shamrock Rovers where he scored on his debut in January.

Dean McDonald-McDonald moved to Ipswich while he was still a youngster and has since played for a number of clubs across the English leagues.  He is currently contracted to Farnborough where he has played 72 league games scoring 40 goals.

2003

Mark Howard-Mark Howard was loaned out to Falkirk from Arsenal before moving to Cardiff City in 2006.  He was loaned out to Swansea City before moving to St. Mirren and then to Aberdeen where he has made 8 league appearences.

Chris Wright-Chris Wright moved to Boston United in 2005 for an undisclosed fee before moving to Stamford.

Issa Abdul Khadir-Issa Abdul Khadir moved to Tanzanian champions Simba in 2004.

Sean Clohessy-Sean was released by Arsenal and joined Gillingham.  He then moved to Salisbury where he was made vice-captain.  He moved to Bath from Salisbury but two weeks later signed a pre-contract with Southend United where he has made 37 league appearences since.

Kerrea Gilbert-Kerrea Gilbert was released from Arsenal in 2010 after unsuccessful loan spells with Cardiff City, Southend United, Leicester City and Peterborough United.

Matthew Hislop– Matthew Hislop moved to QPR in 2005 but his contract was terminated in 2007 and he has not found a club since.

Billy Nott-Has not found a club since being released by Arsenal in 2004

Ryan Smith-Has made appearences for Leicester, Derby County, Millwall, Southampton, Crystal Palace before joining Sporting Kansas City.

Daniel Spaul-Daniel Was released from Arsenal and has since stopped playing football.

Luke Webb-Moved to Coventry City in 2005 but did not play a game and subsequently moved to Hereford United.  Webb was released in 2008 and is not currently attached to a club.

Aaron Samuel– Aaron was loaned out to Wigan Athletic in 2005 but was released by Arsenal the following year.  He is not presently at a club.

2004

Nicklas Bendtner– The only person from 2001 to 2005 who is still at Arsenal.  He has made 94 league appearences for Arsenal scoring 22 goals.  Bendtner has represented Denmark on 36 occasions scoring 12 goals.

Matthew Connolly-Connolly was loaned out to Bornmouth and Colchester City before moving to Queens Park Rangers as he could not break into the Arsenal first team.  He has made 98 league appearences for QPR scoring 2 goals.

Ben Gill– Ben Gill joined Watford Academy after failing to establish himself at Arsenal and has since gone on to play for Cambridge United, Cheltenham Town, Crawley Town, Weymouth, Interblock, Forest Green Rovers, Rayners Lane and now currently plays for Wealdstone.

Sean Kelly– Kelly was released by Arsenal and returned to Ireland.  He played for Cork City, Galway United and Limerick before returning to Galway United.

Arturo Lupoli– Lupoli played just 1 league game for Arsenal and was loaned out to Derby County where he scored 7 goals in 35 league appearences.  He then moved to Italian side Fiorentina where he did not play a single game and was loaned out to Treviso, Norwich City and Sheffield United before joining Ascoli as part of a co-ownership deal.

Fabrice Muamba– Muamba joined Birmingham after spending a season on loan there in the previous season.  Birmingham fans voted him their ‘Young Player Of The Season’ and as a result moved for a total of £4 million.  Muamba joined Bolton Wanderers for a total of £5 million in 2008 and has gone on to make over 100 league appearences for the club.

Mitchell Murphy– Murphy was transformed into a wing back from a striker while at Arsenal before moving to Treviso.

Dominic Shimmin– Shimmin moved to Queens Park Rangers for a fee of £80,000 and has played for a number of clubs since.  Shimmin has played for Bournmouth, Crawley Town, Greenock Morton, Dundee and currently plays for Dover Athletic.

Danny Karbassiyoon-Karbassiyoon moved to Burnley but was unable to continue to play football due to a knee injury he sustained while at the club.  He now scouts North America for Arsenal.

2005

Jay Simpson-Jay Simspon spent time on loan with Millwall, West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers before joining Hull City on a 3 year deal.

Marc Elston– Elston moved to Chelmsford in 2007 on a free transfer and has spent 4 years with the club since.

Giorgios Efrem– Efrem moved to Rangers in 2007 where he was loaned out to Dundee.  He then moved to Omonia in Cyprus where he has made 52 appearences scoring 9 goals.

Lee Butcher– Lee Butcher moved to rivals Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 and was loaned out to 8 different clubs before moving to Leyton Orient.

Shane Tracy– The Full-back was released in 2007 and joined Galway United in Ireland on a free transfer.  He was loaned out to Limerick for a season before joining them on a permanent deal.

Ultimately, this is proof of just how difficult it is to make it at a top premier league club.  Many top clubs in England are not using their own youth systems to produce talent, but looking to other the academies of other clubs all across the world.  However, Barcelona are producing talent through their own youth system ‘La Masia’ which is of a different quality from any other in the world.  It is at La Masia where players such as Francesc Fabregas, Pepe Reina, Carlos Puyol and many more have graduated.  Manchester United produced great players such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in the 1990’s but have struggled to produce players ,through this youth system, of such calibre since.

But what is next for the current players in Arsenal F.C Academy?  Kyle Ebecilio is showing great promise as well as Josh Rees who has put in some magnificent performances.  Will these players make it at the top level?  Or will they play in lower league like so many of the graduates from Arsenal F.C Academy do?  Jack Wilshere has come out of the Arsenal F.C Academy in recent years and has recently been tipped by England Manager Fabio Capello as ‘the future of English football’.

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