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Arsene Wenger is well known for developing young players, and it appears that the Arsenal manager himself is more than aware of the quality with which he does it. In a recent interview, Wenger was quoted in the Telegraph as stating,

“The most difficult thing is to play them (young players) and to stand up for it, and nobody in the world does this as much as me. One day I’ll give you the list of those at the top-level who have made careers with me and you will see. You will be absolutely astonished.”

Asked if he did this more than any other manager, Wenger responded,

“Of course. How do I know? Take the list of players who started here. If you go back it’s unbelievable.”

Not many would dispute that Wenger has a penchant for nurturing young players and turning them into top class talent, but can he legimately lay claim to be the world’s best?

The list of players who have made it at Arsenal from youth since Wenger has been at the club is an impressive one. Ashley Cole, Alex Song, Abou Diaby, Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and now Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere have all had much of their football education at Arsenal, and have all made it to the top level of the game. It is what Wenger prides himself on, and it is major plus of his management at a club, at his previous club Monaco, the Frenchman also saw the development of stars such as Emmanuel Petit, Lilian Thuram and Thierry Henry.

Some have countered however, that Arsene Wenger’s reputation as a great developer of talent is undeserved. They argue that the majority of the young players that have made it under him were brought in from other clubs, and that Wenger’s role in their process of maturing is not what he claims it to be. Certainly Fabregas, Alex Song, Diaby and Clichy for instance were not part of the Arsenal youth system, but there is also no doubt that Wenger played a major role in the crucial years in their nascent careers which made them who they are today. It is a point that has some weight, but it ignores the the good work Wenger has done with these players, which in my view would be a mistake.

Over the question of whether Wenger the best developer of talent, some other managers might believe themselves to be right near the top. Chief among them would be Sir Alex Ferguson, the Scot saw the emergence of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and Gary Neville who all became club legends, during his watch at Old Trafford. In other countries it has been more systems than individual managers that have developed excellent young players, if one thinks of the Ajax and Barcelona academies for instance. Managers in the top jobs on the continent do not tend to keep their jobs for any great length of time, so for a decade or so at least, Wenger could make a valid claim in this regard.

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Although Sir Alex Ferguson would have something to say about Arsene Wenger’s rather bold claims, the Frenchman is not completely off the mark in his claim that he is the number one developer of talent in the game. The roll-call of youngsters he has seen grow up and turn into quality players is highly impressive, and whilst it would be short-sighted of me to definitively say he is the best, he is certainly not far away from the top.

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Chief Arsenal scout Steve Rowley has advised Arsene Wenger to once again look at Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, according to reports.

Rowley believes the 22-year-old Armenian international could perhaps be the player to fill the midfield hole left by former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

Since his £5.4 million move from Metalurg to city rivals Shakhtar in summer 2010, Mkhitaryan has managed to become of the best players in the Ukrainian domestic league, and is viewed by many as a hot prospect in the European football scene.

Known as ‘The Maestro of Armenian Football’, the young midfielder would certainly add something to the Arsenal team, if Wenger decides to listen to Rowley’s advice.

Despite the £10 million capture of Mikel Arteta on deadline day, many (including myself) still believe Arsenal lack creativity in their midfield.

It is believed the north London club were looking at Mkhitaryan after Fabregas left for Barcelona in the summer and will heed Rowley’s advice of tracking him once again during the winter.

It is understood Shakhtar would probably command a fee of around £8 million if the Armenian was put on the market.

Could Mkhitaryan be the player to replace Fabregas and add some much needed creativity to our midfield? Possibly, he would certainly be considered a Wenger-ish buy by the Arsenal faithful, one who oozes class but wouldn’t command such a big fee.

Henrikh possesses great ball control, skill, agility, as well as superb vision and awareness. He may not bag a lot of goals, but he does have the ability to create them.

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The Armenian certainly looks a bright prospect, and I for one believe Wenger should definitely take another look at him before ruling out a potential move for the young midfield maestro.

Article courtesy of the Transfer Tavern

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Norwich City moved back into the Championship’s automatic promotion places after a 5-1 away win at Ipswich Town on Thursday.What will make Norwich’s triumph even more memorable is the fact it was their second easy victory over their arch-rivals in the East Anglian Derby this season, with Thursday’s triumph surpassing the Canaries’ 4-1 win in November.

Andrew Surman kickstarted celebrations in the away end with his 13th minute strike and the Portman Road crowd were stunned when 11 minutes later, Gareth McAuley turned the ball into his own net for Norwich’s second.

Norwich were not content with a two-goal lead and wanted to put the match beyond doubt in the second half, with Simeon Jackson scoring his fifth goal in as many games after 73 minutes to seal victory.

Jimmy Bullard has impressed since joining Ipswich on loan from Hull City and scored a consolation for the hosts on 78 minutes, only for Russell Martin to respond two minutes later for Paul Lambert’s side.

Liverpool loanee Dani Pacheco added the finishing touches to the huge victory with his first goal for the club in the third minute of injury time to seal a convincing defeat for the hosts.

The result sees Norwich two points above third-placed Cardiff, who have a game in hand, but the big win has almost drawn the Canaries level on goal difference with the Welsh side.

Despite a distinct lack of football to watch, transfer deadline day is one of the most frustratingly exciting days of the football season.

You know it’s that time of year again when the big timer on Sky Sports News looms large in the corner of the screen, counting the hours, minutes and seconds until the transfer window slams shut and you finally realise that your club hasn’t quite managed to pull off the signing of that superstar striker as exclusively revealed in The Sun last week.

Or the constant refreshing of your chosen ‘DEADLINE DAY-LIVE NEWS FEED’, even though your computer does this automatically for you. Message boards and Twitter feeds are ablaze with inside information from a mate of somebody’s dad’s uncle that Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey has been spotted getting out of a taxi near your club’s training ground, pen in hand, to dot the i’s and cross the t’s on a last-minute deal.

The panic, chaos and confusion adds to the tension and excitement of deadline day, as late loan deals, big-money transfers and player exchanges are rushed through with just seconds to go. Despite having two months to conclude their transfer business, clubs often wait until the final day of the sales in a high-risk strategy aimed at picking up cut-price deals in the transfer market. Which in-turn can have a domino effect on other transfer deals.

There has certainly been some exciting signings on transfer deadline day in recent years; Manchester City’s new owners wasted no time in smashing the British transfer record within hours of taking over the club with the £32.5m capture of Robinho from Real Madrid in 2008. While West Ham’s double deal to take Argentine duo Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to Upton Park in 2006 was arguably the most astonishing of all.

Yet it’s the signings that go right to the wire that create the most controversy. Tottenham’s sensational £8m deal to land Dutch star Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid on Tuesday was only reported on news channels five minutes before the window was due to slam shut. Over 24 hours later it was still unclear if the Premier League had ratified the move, allowing Van der Vaart to complete his transfer to North London. So when does the transfer window actually close?

It is believed the deal for the Holland international was allowed to go through because the necessary paperwork needed by Spurs to complete the deal could not be processed in time, due to technical difficulties in their negotiations with Real Madrid. I think Harry Redknapp mentioned something about a dodgy fax machine he bought down the market, or something along those lines. The Premier League took a day to evaluate these claims however and were satisfied enough to give the deal the go-ahead.

Amazingly bad weather, which brought the country’s transport system to a standstill, meant the 2009 January transfer window deadline was extended by an hour. Although seemingly Arsenal were given a slightly longer extension after Andrei Arshavin’s move from Zenit St Petersburg was completed a whole 24 hours after the deadline. It seems as long as a deal has been agreed in principle then the Premier League will allow all the loose-ends to be tied up afterwards. However this allows players to arrive after the transfer window and understandably leaves other clubs infuriated.

The Premier League can stop this simply by refusing to ratify any transfers which are not completed, along with al the relevant paper work by the deadlines set. Clubs have a significant amount of time to complete their business and should pay the price for leaving it so late to complete their deals. While Tottenham and Arsenal both have valid and genuine reasons for missing the deadline, clubs will continue to flaunt the rules unless the Premier League gets tougher with the deadline day late arrivals.

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A welcome addition to the Premier League’s Wag arena – Click on image below to view gallery

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The rise of Daniel Sturridge has been an important one for both England and Chelsea fans. Chelsea are in desperate need of a player to revitalise their aging attack and England are in desperate need of competition for places up front. However, there is more significance to Sturridge’s development than just his on-field performances for club and country.

There have always been clubs, like Arsenal are now, who have championed home grown talent over the spending of vast sums of money on foreign players. However it is something that clubs with mega-rich owners such as Chelsea and Man City have seemed largely uninterested in. However, in Daniel Sturridge we have seen a product of the Manchester City academy sold, regrettably for City, to Chelsea on the cheap. And come the end of January when Drogba and Kalou go to the African Cup of nations, Sturridge could be Chelsea’s most important striker.

It was interesting to hear Mancini say before City’s game against Chelsea that he wished they still had Sturridge:

“It was strange because Sturridge was developed in Manchester and someone let him go. For sure he was one of the best young players at City. It was not difficult to see he was a good player. If Sturridge was here today, he’d be in the first team. I’ve watched him many times and know him well.”

This is frank admission from the Italian manager and was hugely refreshing to hear from somebody who is involved with the world’s most extravagant team. But perhaps Mancini wouldn’t appreciate the Chelsea striker as much if he was still at City. I think it took Sturridge leaving for Mancini to remember that you don’t always have to buy the most expensive players to get quality. Sure, he uses Hart and Richards, but they were already established before Mancini got there.

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It is also an important lesson for Chelsea who seem incapable of producing their own talent (fine, quote Josh McEachran. But does he ever play?). Sturridge has outscored both Drogba and Torres this season. As much as for anyone, it is important that the owners of both clubs realise how good Sturridge could be. Despite being willing to spend huge sums of money, I’m sure that both owners would rather develop cheap home-grown talent if they thought it possible; now they know it is. This is important not just for the financial situations at the clubs but also for English football as a whole.

With the increase in foreign ownership (half of the Premier League clubs are now owned by foreigners) there is the very real danger that our academies will suffer, and subsequently our national side. Without being English the owners will, understandably, care little for the development of our young talent. That is unless it is in their interest as well. The more players like Sturridge we see coming through the ranks at major clubs the more our national team will benefit.

Having an influx of foreign money in to our league is perceived by many as an evil, but it doesn’t have to be. If it causes wage and transfer inflation then it is, just as if it stifles the development of English managers and players then it is also a negative influence. However if these club owners begin to value English footballers as opposed to simply valuing English football then we as a football nation can reap the rewards of their money.

Follow me on Twitter @H_Mackay

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He may have gotten his revenge, but Roy Hodgson said he took no extra pleasure in watching his West Brom side beat Liverpool 2-1 on Saturday.The Baggies beat the Reds for the first time in the Premier League era after two penalties from Chris Brunt overturned Martin Skrtel’s opener at The Hawthorns.

But Hodgson said the win had no extra significance despite his acrimonious departure from the Merseyside club after an ill-fated stint as manager.

“I get no extra pleasure from beating Liverpool. I made a lot of friends when I was at Liverpool,” Hodgson said.

“The players, I have a lot of time and respect for, and the coaching staff, many of them worked with me and worked very loyally.”

“I don’t take any particular pleasure in that (victory).”

“The great pleasure I take is beating Liverpool because it is not something West Brom do very often.”

The victory rockets West Brom to 12th place on a congested Premier League table and Hodgson praised the character of his squad to keep fighting for their survival.

“I am more than satisfied, I am really happy with the performance. I thought apart from the first 15 minutes, we took the game to Liverpool and played some really good football,” he said.

“When we went a goal down, it was very much against the run of play, but it was a great achievement for the players to put that behind them and score two goals.”

“We’ve come back a couple of times against Stoke, Wolves and now.”

“I don’t doubt the commitment of the players and their ability to come back from being a goal down.”

“We do have a considerable goal threat in the team and it was nice to see the team pass the ball so well against a quality team like Liverpool.”

Liverpool’s loss was compounded by injuries to defenders Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson, with skipper Steven Gerrard already sidelined after reinjuring his groin during training this week.

“We’ve lost Steven before the game, lost Glen and probably Daniel Agger as well so we just need to get on with it and do the best we can with what we’re left with,” Hodgson said.

“Steven got injured in training, we’ll just assess it, we’ll know later on in the week how he is and what the damage is and the length of time.”

“They did look a bit leggy, but West Brom had 14 players away, and they looked a wee bit short as well.”

The failure of England’s so-called “golden generation” at this summer’s World Cup has brought new focus to the up and coming young talent at international level. This time, the spotlight shines on Tottenham and England U-19 international Dean Parrett.

Parrett is an all-action midfielder with great drive and technique, aided no doubt by his attendance at Davor Suker’s Austrian branch of his coaching academy. Spurs’ then sporting director Damien Comolli had this to say about the precocious youngster:

“Dean is exactly the kind of player we want to attract to our club, a player who will be part of the next generation to come through to the first team.”

“He is an extremely talented young player who has that rare combination of pace, aggression and creativity.”

Tottenham beat off competition from the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool to sign the talented schoolboy from fellow London club QPR. Spurs first signed the young midfielder to a schoolboy contract in 2007 and then a full time academy contract a year later. As a 15 year old playing at QPR, Parrett was already an established youth international with England, featuring for the U-16 side as they managed to retain the Victory Shield 2006.

Despite being only 16 years old, Parrett featured regularly for Spurs’ U-18 academy side and his excellent performances led to the youngster being named captain for the second half of the season. In addition to making the step up at club level, Parrett make the jump to the England U-18’s where he was also a regular fixture in the side.

Since signing a professional deal in December 2008, Parrett had already graduated to the reserve team and found himself called up to the first team squad, earning a spot on the bench for Tottenham’s UEFA cup group stage game against Spartak Moscow. His first team debut was to follow shortly when Harry Redknapp selected Parrett to start in Tottenham’s first leg knockout tie against eventual cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk, where the young midfielder impressed in the heart of Tottenham’s midfield. Off the back of his accomplished display in the Ukraine, Redknapp gave Parrett his second first-team appearance in the return leg at White Hart Lane, with the midfielder coming on as a late second half substitute.

Parrett’s reputation continued to go from strength to strength and he was named as part of Redknapp’s provisional squad for the 2009 Carling Cup final in which Spurs were defeated by Manchester United.

Parrett was sent on loan last season to League Two side Aldershot Town where he played four times for the Hampshire team during a one month period. He then returned to White Hart Lane where he played eighteen times for the U-18’s, scoring three goals in another promising season at the club’s academy.

This off-season saw Parrett play for the England U-19’s in the European U-19 Championship Finals held in France. Here, Parrett turned in a number of solid performances for Noel Blake’s Young Lions as they reached the semi-final stage of a fiercely competitive tournament.

Parrett has all of the tools to be successful both at club and international level. His tournament experience with England will stand the midfielder in good stead as he looks to develop into a regular for club and country in the years to come.

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Roma’s Daniele De Rossi is a transfer target for Manchester City, should the 28 year olds contract talks break down. (Daily Mail)

Rumour has it that the midfielder is aggravated at the lack of progress in negotiations, with just one year remaining on the Italian’s contract.

A world cup winner in 2006, De Rossi has long been coveted by Europe’s finest, with Roma director Bruno Conti earlier this week claiming that the capital club previously turned down a £60 million bid for the Italian from Chelsea.

While many expect De Rossi to thrash out a deal with Roma, if talks do break down the player is now open to the prospect of a move abroad.

Roberto Mancini has pre-empted any such breakdown, opening the door to a possible move to City next summer by stating, ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if he stays in Rome, but if he doesn’t sign, City will be ready.’

Mancini went on to clarify that he would expect competition for the combative midfielder, ‘if one day De Rossi is on the market, Manchester City will try – like Real Madrid, Chelsea and all the big clubs.’

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De Rossi himself has kept a philosophical, if slightly frustrated outlook on the ongoing proceedings, with the Italian quoted as saying, ‘Things are at a standstill. There’s no hectic rush to get things sorted, but it is a little frustrating to be getting to January like this.’

‘If I was to leave Roma then my first choice would be to go and play football abroad. But if such a move couldn’t be agreed then I’d have to look to Italy. I couldn’t just quit football.’

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Should we sell Cesc Fabregas in the summer? Could we cash in on Gael Clichy? Will Arsene Wenger wring the deadwood? Will Jack Wilshere become lethargic?

To be honest with you, I couldn’t give a flying frisbee about those matters right now. All I want is a win. I want Arsenal to record a victory this Saturday so I can writhe in my footballing self-righteousness.

Losing sucks, and as you can guess, I am a very sore loser. I slept on the sofa around this time last year because my girlfriend beat me at Monopoly. A pointless freaking board game based solely on the luck of the dice. I remember it well. The sun glistened on the iron’s handle as my property stack grew quicker and stronger every minute. Unfortunately it all went to pot, and the iron, along with the flea ridden yelping dog, ended up decorating the floor.

Amazingly, we’ve had several rematches since then and I have won them all. Interestingly, I cannot remember a single thing about any of these games. Apart from maybe the very unattractive gloating that followed.

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You’ve probably figured out the point of this tangent and the parallels that can be drawn about the current crop of players. If not, then I should really give up on this whole writing business and find a new hobby. But for those of you who aren’t following, these Arsenal players must be sick to the back of their teeth of memories that, like the Monopoly club, end in tears and petulance.

The Gunners faced West Brom, Newcastle, Birmingham City, Barcelona and Manchester United and guess what, they lost. Just how long will it be before this group of players learn that it is not okay to feel sorry for themselves, whilst others parade before them?

I truly don’t care how we win any more, I really don’t. I don’t care if Robin Van Persie needs something specific by his side when travelling to away games, and I don’t care if Arsene Wenger is found to have ordered a box of Werther’s Originals. All I really want, and care about, is a victory over Blackburn at the Emirates this weekend, and a further 8 victories to follow. Then, and only then, can I forget about Monopoly.

Read more of Gavin’s articles at Gunnersphere

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Love or hate him, it doesn’t hide the fact that Joey Barton is a top quality footballer who when fully focused is right to be considered for seriously selection in the national team. As a Newcastle fan I would be delighted if he was called up, as it must mean he is finally doing a job for the Toon.

Although I know some supporters still have a dislike of Barton, given what has gone on before, I truly believe that if Hughton can get hold of him and ensure that he stays disciplined then we have a top quality player on our hands, who alongside Nolan can drive us up the Premier League next season; he certainly owes us and maybe given what has gone on in the past three seasons, this coming year could be the making of him.

“First and foremost I want to do well for Newcastle but, after watching some of the performances in the World Cup, on form I’m as good as anyone in this country and I don’t say that lightly,

“I’m a much more rounded footballer than I was when I first came to Newcastle,

“I’m very confident of finding the form which got me into the England squad in the first place. That’s my goal. And if I can break into the England squad it will prove I’m doing fantastically well for this football club.” (Guardian)

Making no bones about it this really is Barton’s last real chance to establish himself and fulfil his massive potential and hopefully he won’t let this football club (who has been incredibly loyal in standing by him) down. With money in short supply at the football club, it is time that Barton started to repay the faith we originally showed when we first brought him to St James Park three years ago. I really believe he will, but only time will tell whether leopards can in fact change their spots.

Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer

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