Jay Thomas and Rhys Murphy withdraw from England friendly to help Arsenal play-off push

England Under 18 duo Rhys Murphy and Jay Thomas have both mysteriously withdrawn from England’s friendly in Hartlepool on Wednesday, against Austria Under 18s.

Replaced by Wolves’ Kyle Bennett and Leeds United’s Tom Elliott, it seems as though they have both taken the option of dropping out in order to push for success within the Gunners fold rather than further their fledgling international careers in this latest England friendly. Both players finished the game against Millwall, ruling out any injury reasons. Rhys Murphy got on the scoresheet in that game for his sixth goal of his season after a terrible injury prone start to the season for last years top scorer. With 35 appearances in total for the reserves and youth team, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has proved to be the mainstay in Arsenal’s youth set-ups, and with vital games coming up both players have chosen club over country it seems.

Despite his two team mates dropping out, Gavin Hoyte has remained with the Enland set up for the friendly, with the young centre back obviously deciding that with him being used mainly in reserve games rather than Under 18 fixtures, he would be better off keeping with England for this match.

 

UPDATE: However, both Rhys Murphy and Jay Thomas did not play a part in the game against Bristol City in the Under 18’s league game that clinched the title for the young guns, and so there is now a possibility that they are in fact injured despite both players playing the whole game against Millwall in mid week. I will keep the story updated when I find out the true cause of them dropping out.

UPDATE 2: Rhys Murphy and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas named on subs bench for Derby V Arsenal reserve clash.

Pedro will be staying in Spain for another season; Richard Law returns from Salamanca

Tribuna de Salamanca, the local paper for UDS, have reported that Arsenal’s agreement will continue as it has been despite Salamanca struggling with debt. As I first bought to your attention just over a week ago that Richard Law, Arsenal’s South American representative, would be meeting up with the President of the Spanish club to check up on how their financial crisis would affect the partnership, but having met with officials at the club on Wednesday, Arsenal are confident that as long as Salamanca stay in the second tier of the Spanish leagues, the agreement will remain, allowing more non-EU players to be farmed out to allow them to get their Spanish Passport to make Work Permit issues easier. 

Richard Law also reportedly confirmed that Pedro would be staying in Spain with Salamanca for another year, while more players will be loaned to the club next year, with Tribuna de Salamanca stating that any player that is loaned out would not have to be South American necessarily either, possibly leaving a place open for UDS to sign a non EU player, or perhaps for Arsenal to provide them with a quality youngster from another continent, such as Africa. There had been speculation that Pedro could apply for a work permit in the summer, but this seems not the case from everythng that I have read so far from Spanish sources, and so my guess would be that like Carlos Vela, it could just be wishful thinking from Arsenal fans wanting to see him play, rather than actual rumour.

Another thing that was also confirmed was that the Salamanca youth team would again visit Arsenal facilities this summer.

See my original article on this same story here:

(http://thearsenalway.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/arsenal-to-check-up-on-salamanca/)

Positive Focus - Theo Walcott

Try to ignore the fact that we have let a five point lead slip to a 6 point deficit in the league. Try to ignore the almost certain loss that we are going to have tomorrow. And even ignore the Merseyside robbing that we got on Tuesday, and focus on the only positive of this week: Theo Walcott.

Hopefully there is some cheer in that, if not anything else just at the moment as an Arsenal fan. So I give you the lowdown on all the quotes of praise coming Theo’s way over the last few days, from Kolo Toure to Sven Goran Eriksson.

“That run was amazing, to take it from his own penalty box to the other one. The pace he has got, I don’t think there is anyone better. He was like Maradona. The competition is obviously big at Arsenal. But I believe Theo is ready to play regularly in the first team.”  Sven Goran Eriksson, Former England manager and current Manchester City coach

“He is making a big impact. He has it in the locker to be a great player. That special thing can make the difference. I know patience is not the biggest quality in society but we need to have it. He’s going to be a striker but at the moment he’s a winger - not a midfielder.”  Arsene Wenger, Arsenal manager

“I was delighted with the impact that Theo Walcott made on the game - the run he made for Arsenal’s second goal was incredible.”To go past so many players with such speed and balance is one thing, but to have the composure and awareness to pick a pass at the crucial moment showed great skill and maturity. There can be no disputing Walcott’s ability.”  Fabio Capello, England Manager

“For a few months now Theo has been on fire. Theo is very quick and is playing some good football. Playing up front alongside him is brilliant.”  Emmanuel Adebayor, Arsenal’s leading scorer

“Theo’s run was fantastic, with a great pass at the end, Theo is a good player and is improving every time. I think Theo is going to be one of the best players in England.”  Kolo Toure, Arsenal defender

“It was a fabulous game and Theo Walcott, the English kid who came on for Arsenal, gave a stunning performance.”  Sir Bobby Robson, former England manager.

“I think there’s been a massive improvement in his play since the Birmingham game and it wouldn’t surprise me if Wenger starts him in the final league games. He just needs a run in the team to build up his confidence and he has certainly shown he has the potential to make a real impact.”  Nigel Winterburn, Former Arsenal defender

Now lets hope he starts tommorrows match, because if anyone deserves to start after the last month or so of poor team performances, it is the young Englishman.