Gooner Talk can exclusively reveal the surprise inclusions for the upcoming LG Amsterdam Tournament this weekend.
The majority of impressive performers who starred in last nights win over Huddersfield are included in the 22-man squad with rugged midfielder Jay Emmanuel Thomas one of the surprise names to of been picked.
Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Mark Randall are the only other Reserve & Youth inclusions with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger opting to go for the ‘experienced youth’ rather than the up and coming academy stars.
Highly-rated Dutch forward Nacer Barazite, Henri Lansbury and Gavin Hoyte haven’t travelled with the squad to Holland despite putting in some quality displays during the Gunners’ Austria tour and last night’s tie against League 1 side Huddersfield.
Predicted Starting XI For Ajax Game:
Almunia
Sagna – Senderos – Gallas – Clichy
Eboue – Fabregas – Denilson – van Persie
Adebayor – Walcott
We will bring you all the latest news from Amsterdam with Match Previews, reports and all the latest team news concerning Arsenal.
Amsterdam Arena plays host to the first of four games this Friday, the first of which is Arsenal v Ajax broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Update: Abou Diaby and Samir Nasri have both been ruled out through injury as we told you on Tuesday, Nasri and Diaby only appeared at Members Day for a lap around the pitch before shortly disappearing back down the tunnel.
Tags: arsenal, exclusive, gibbs, injury, jay thomas, team news, van Persie
August 7, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I would like to see Thomas to see if he is up with the likes of Wilshere/Ramsey. I would have liked to see us play Inter but we’re not so…
August 7, 2008 at 9:10 pm
why is there no barazite???? This is baffling
August 7, 2008 at 9:41 pm
The match is tomorrow mate isn’t it?
August 7, 2008 at 9:42 pm
so I take it there’s no Lansbury, G Hoyte or Simpson, who have been in the squad for every single friendly so far including the Austria tour?
August 7, 2008 at 9:43 pm
why is there no barazite????
Probably because we are well stocked in that position?
Also, how do you know this Gooner Chris?
August 7, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I was informed by a close source of the club mate, I’m not making this up, you’ll see it for yourself when the squad is announced tomorrow.
And as far as I know Ben, those three aren’t in the squad.
August 7, 2008 at 9:45 pm
did posted this at 13.47pm today
9. free me – August 7, 2008
Amsterdam Tournament. jay thomas in the squad and only one
Hoyte (j)
August 7, 2008 at 9:46 pm
where can we see the complete squad list?
August 7, 2008 at 9:48 pm
We are on 2nd tomorrow night against Ajax. First game is Sevilla – Inter.
Also Wilshere is a first teamer now, no need to brand him youth or reserve.
August 7, 2008 at 9:51 pm
did barazite make the squad he really deserves it
August 7, 2008 at 9:52 pm
BARAZITE the nxt big thing
August 7, 2008 at 9:53 pm
free me.. Would you like a Blue Peter badge?
August 7, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Is Ramsey in the squad gooner chris?
August 7, 2008 at 9:54 pm
if they play tomorrow, will we have a mostly reserve side playing Sevilla on Saturday? I don’t think Cesc can even manage 90, maybe 45 but not a full game. The others aren’t up for it either
August 7, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Ramsey and Theo are in the squad.
I’ll try and put a list up of the players included in a sec.
August 7, 2008 at 9:55 pm
does any one no if Barazite made the squad
August 7, 2008 at 9:59 pm
No he didn’t, just updated it mate.
August 7, 2008 at 10:00 pm
is vela the legend in it,he should be
August 7, 2008 at 10:02 pm
vela should be and will be there i think vela ramsey and wilshere on he squad are no brainers
August 7, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Almunia, Fabianski, Mannone, Sagna, Eboue, J. Hoyte, Senderos, Djourou, Gallas, Nordtveit, Clichy, Traoré, Walcott, Wilshere, Nasri, Ramsey, Fabregas, Diaby, Denilson, Emmanuel-Thomas, Randall, Vela, van Persie, Adebayor, Bendtner, Simpson
August 7, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I think this should be a 1st team squad participating only. Obv including Ramsey, Wilshere, Vela, Traore who are all 1st teamers i know but are still youngsters. I also think that Barazite should have been included because he deserves it from his pre season performances and also he will be back in his native home and that will drive him to want to do well and hype him up.
Come on Arsene change your mind and take Barazite!!!!!
August 7, 2008 at 10:08 pm
I would love to see Barazite up against some big names. Is it only me or does he remind anyone a bit of Zlatan Ibrahimovic with his style aswell as the position he plays in??
August 7, 2008 at 10:08 pm
i cant beleive barazite didnt make it the lad never fails to impress
August 7, 2008 at 10:11 pm
he does play a bit like ibrahimovic and hes alot faster which is a plus
August 7, 2008 at 10:18 pm
id rather have frimpong and g.hoyet rather than J.Thomas travel. anywayz we’ll see how good he is tomorrow.
August 7, 2008 at 10:22 pm
i don’t know what that boy Barazite has to do to get his chance the boy is quality better player than wilshere. whelshere does look a great talent but a bit over hyped in my opinion. fans need to calm down and remember he is still very young
August 7, 2008 at 10:29 pm
24. gunna4lyf – August 7, 2008
frimpong almost on the plane,but off with england u17’s
August 7, 2008 at 10:32 pm
jay thomas is an outstanding prospect..i really hope he makes an
impression …what do u think Gooner Chris
August 7, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Where Coquelin?Is he still injured?
August 7, 2008 at 10:38 pm
frimpong plays like Gilberto, you don’t see him but always there
August 7, 2008 at 10:38 pm
is this site normally trustworthy
August 7, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Yeah it is..
August 7, 2008 at 10:42 pm
30. james – August 7, 2008
is this site normally trustworthy
why do you work for the sun?
August 7, 2008 at 10:43 pm
32. free me – August 7, 2008
30. james – August 7, 2008
is this site normally trustworthy
why do you work for the sun?
No.. The Sun goes for CaughtOffside.
August 7, 2008 at 10:45 pm
He’s a strong, athletic midfield with bundles of potential, Frimpong as well would of gone to Holland if he was maybe a year older.
August 7, 2008 at 10:47 pm
33. Joe Todd – August 7, 2008
and jeorge bird’s arsenal youth
August 7, 2008 at 10:47 pm
hahahahaha
August 7, 2008 at 10:50 pm
hahaha
August 7, 2008 at 10:51 pm
anyone know who run’s jeorge bird’s arsenal youth cos i think arsenal have a price on his head
August 7, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Well the name kind of gives it away.. lol
August 7, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Free Me.. Who is Kendall Johnson?
August 7, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Disappointed if Barazite hasn’t made the squad, but presumably Wenger wants to see Nasri/Wilshere on the left and the 4 first team strikers given plenty of time up front. Bit of a shame because the boy is pure class. Fingers crossed he gets some opportunities in the Carling Cup this year.
August 7, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Wenger rates Barazite but realises that his is a delicate and specialist talent that, if nurtured properly, could be Bergkampesque. Don’t panic on that score! Nacer needs greater upper body strength, which will come. Delighted to see Jay Emmanuel Thomas included as that boy has the guile and physical attributes needed right now.
August 7, 2008 at 11:14 pm
where is traore? is he injured?
August 7, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Who is Kendall Johnson?
August 7, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Guys!! Somebody is still missing?!
Where is TOURE??
August 7, 2008 at 11:27 pm
The Gunners, who play Ajax today (Friday) and Sevilla on Saturday, arrived without injured midfielders Abou Diaby and Samir Nasri, but Cesc Fabregas is expected to make his first pre-season appearance, as is Kolo Toure after recovering from a mild bout of malaria.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1042734/Old-foes-Mourinho-Wenger-giving-peace-chance-paths-cross-Amsterdam.html
August 7, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I won’t say it, but I think most people will know who I think should be in this squad, but isn’t. Maybe next year.
August 7, 2008 at 11:40 pm
diaby and nasri have not travelled to amsterdam with the squad but fabregas and toure have returned for some game time prior to the FC Twente game.
Might see another start for Wilshere but also emphasises our lack of depth in midfield.
Team for Ajax (predicted)
Almunia
Sagna
Senderos
Gallas
Clichy
Eboue
Ramsey
Denilson
Walcott
RVP
Adebayor
August 7, 2008 at 11:43 pm
i didnt mention that they havent travelled due to injury. Also rumours are the Middlesborough will wrap up the signing of J. Hoyte before the start of the season for a fee of around 2.5-3m. Opinions on this?
Another Englishman to leave the club…although i never rated justin he did put in 100% when he put on the shirt.
August 7, 2008 at 11:48 pm
i dont believe that coz he said yesterday he wanted to be like bacary sagna and train to be as good as him for next season. so nope he aint leaving, especialy with the amount of games he has got in pre-season. bless.
August 8, 2008 at 12:23 am
Yeah Guardian reports that Nasri (knee) and Diaby are not traveling. Diaby’s deal is supposed to be much more serious than Nasri’s. They say Nasri is out so he can recover for the CL
August 8, 2008 at 12:24 am
“surprise names to of been picked”.
What sort of English is that? Are you a 10 year old?
August 8, 2008 at 12:24 am
diaby injured again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,,,aw must buy a midfielder
August 8, 2008 at 12:26 am
LOL Gooner Chris, jog on mate. You’re a 16 year old kid, and yet you have insider information at the club? You know nothing and all your blogs consist of are copying and pasting articles. Congratulations!
Nice one
Lmao
August 8, 2008 at 12:33 am
I believe the news, and I am hoping that you will get more exclusive news from your source in the future… keep it up.
August 8, 2008 at 12:38 am
6. Gooner Chris – August 7, 2008
I was informed by a close source of the club mate, I’m not making this up, you’ll see it for yourself when the squad is announced tomorrow.
And as far as I know Ben, those three aren’t in the squad.
A close source? As in you can’t say their name or how they know because they don’t exist? I’ll be interested to see if you got the squad exactly right tomorrow. I must admit I’ll laugh if Barazite is in the squad though.
August 8, 2008 at 12:52 am
Eboue listed under Defenders?
August 8, 2008 at 12:53 am
Diaby and Nasri didn’t travel according to te Guardian meaning your squad is a load of spoof.
August 8, 2008 at 1:25 am
why does it seem that there is not enough fire power in midfield…
August 8, 2008 at 5:18 am
**NOTE – WE PLAY AJAX ON FRIDAY AND SEVILLA ON SUNDAY**
August 8, 2008 at 6:59 am
no we don’t, tournament is Friday and Saturday.
PS> Diaby is the midfield version of RVP
August 8, 2008 at 7:28 am
buy nasri and vela was great. they play impresif in CM
August 8, 2008 at 8:05 am
we have to deliver this season
August 8, 2008 at 8:15 am
Just seen your predicted line up for tonights game. You’re usually wrong so aint gonna go too over board.
BUT! If that clueless liability Eboue is playing right wing ahead of Walcott then fuck Wenger and his stubborn arrogance!
Now IF Theo starts ahead of said Eboue, then all is well!
August 8, 2008 at 8:59 am
poor Barazite wenger can be such an idiot some times
August 8, 2008 at 9:14 am
What’s happened to Fran Merida, is he injured ? Arsene hailed him as an outstanding prospect and he’s not even been mentioned.
August 8, 2008 at 9:25 am
Is this true? Obviously Nasri and Diaby are now out, but is it reliable other than that?
August 8, 2008 at 9:35 am
Fran Merida is still on preseason because he played in a couple of international youth tournaments over the summer recently. should be back next week i think though. Diaby has a thigh injury and is doubtful for Twente game. Nasri has a knee injury but he should be available for Twente.
August 8, 2008 at 10:53 am
Guys has anyone Arsene’s press conference on ATVO? Cos surey he would confirm if Nasri is in the squad or not. Plus I dont think its fair to call Gooner Chris a liar simply cos he has nothing to gain from lying. So if he says that hes go a contact then I belive him.
August 8, 2008 at 11:30 am
nari and diaby are both out injured
August 8, 2008 at 11:47 am
why eboue
he’s crap
August 8, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Diaby is injured again. Our realistic CMF options are Denilson (far from proven) and Ramsay (17) Have we learned nothing? Cesc is always knackered come the business end of the season as we have no realistic alternatives & he plays every game. Compare with Chelsea & Utd who we have to beat over 50+ games if we want the CL or PL
Needs sorting or we’ll be perennial losers.
August 8, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Sorry I have to disagree about Denilson. I saw him boss around Real Madrid last, I think he could ready to make the step up. In my opinion hes wasy ahead of Diaby, But I do agree we desperately need another centre mid
August 8, 2008 at 12:18 pm
What a load of fucking shit these fucking players are fucking brittle one little thing and there injured this season is gonna be fucking shit
and wenger thinks he dont need to buy anyone he needs a whole new fucking team………….
August 8, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Biscuit – Yeah but big difference from impressing in a friendly to being in the starting XI every week and having to perform.
He could do it but it’s a huge gamble to have him starting when you look at the Chelsea & Utd personnel
August 8, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Same old Same old fucking shit with wenger just stop be a wanker and realise that this team does not compare to the other championship winning sides this lot do not even come close….
August 8, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Diaby,denilson,hoyte brothers.senderos,djourou all these players would not get into any other top 4 club its as simple as that
August 8, 2008 at 12:28 pm
WE ARE FUCKING DOOMED THIS SEASON….
August 8, 2008 at 12:28 pm
from arse.com
In total Wenger has brought 22 players to Amsterdam. It is his first-team squad with the addition of youngsters Kieran Gibbs, Jack Wilshere and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
However Nasri (knee/thigh) and Abou Diaby (thigh) have both not travelled for the tournament. The former has a minor problem and should be fit for the Champions League qualifier on Wednesday. However Diaby is likely to be sidelined for that game.
August 8, 2008 at 12:35 pm
FOR sure diaby will not be ready for the opening game of the season then looks like it will be denilson and that will just not do.injurys already looks really bad imagine what it will be like come december
August 8, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Both injuries are worrying, the season hasn’t even started yet and we’re getting more injuries on top of the ones we’ve already got!
August 8, 2008 at 12:39 pm
when will the next signing will happen,who will partner cesc next season?denilson is good in those friendly but doubt about him to play every week.diaby has not settled in that position,give away ball to cheaply.just sign someone arsene and make my day
August 8, 2008 at 12:42 pm
And wenger thinks the squad is strong enough the guy is getting really senile now..
August 8, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Its alright tho arsene we still got a 7 year old coming thru to partner cesc…..
August 8, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Henri lansbury would be a revelation at DM in my opinnion. The guy is a brilliant tacker he actually reminds me of flamini energy but his passes are brilliant. Shame he has been played on the right. Maybe wenger is teaching him something like he did to fabregas
August 8, 2008 at 4:01 pm
damn , no Nasri :S
August 8, 2008 at 4:31 pm
nasri has a groin strain
August 9, 2008 at 12:18 am
Did he pull his wang muscle? What a tard! HAHHAhAHAHAHA