LA Bound

The good news is David is closer to Tom and the Scientology Head Quarters. I have attached Mr. Beckhams statement to his fans as well.

Why bother with a youth team?

I think it's time for me to stop following Arsenal's young prospects. There's just no point to it. Today brings news that Anthony Stokes (the 18 year old who is leading the Scottish Premier League in scoring with 16 goals in 18 games) has been sold to Sunderland. It also appears probable that Arturo Lupoli (the 19 year old that has 10 goals for Derby in the English Championship) will never play for Arsenal. Lupoli is on loan until the end of this season, at which point his current contract will be over. He has expressed his desire to return to Italy, or possibly remain with Derby on a permanent contract.

Other recent departures of promising young talent include Jermaine Pennant who is now at Liverpool and David Bentley who went to Birmingham. It seems the only position that Arsenal is willing to bring it's young players into the senior team is on defense, but most of that is due to the amount of injuries that have been sustained amongst the starters.

I understand where Wenger is coming from in that neither Stokes or Lupoli would be forcing their way past Henry, van Persie, Adebayor and Baptista in the depth chart in the near future and that the players shouldn't be stuck in a position where they can't succeed. However, one of the joys of sports is watching players develop from a mere prospect into a star for the team that you support. This must be what it feels like to cheer for the New York Yankees. Why bother developing a farm system when you are buying players that are already in their prime every year?