Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Nick Simmonett 
Date:Tuesday January 15 2008
Time: 7:23PM
UK time is: 14:42:35
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Arsenal: Luke Not A Free-man
Gillingham manager Mark Stimson has denied that his prized asset, Luke Freeman, has completed a dream transfer to Arsenal.
The media had been reporting that Arsene Wenger had up a deal for the 15-year-old last week, but it would appear that that is not the case.
When asked about the youngster, Stimson replied: 'He's still a Gillingham player. Luke is in the process of maybe going across to Arsenal.
'At the moment the chairman and someone from Arsenal are sorting the details out.
The Gills boss also revealed that his club will recieve nowhere near the £500,000 that the papers have been claiming Arsenal will pay for him. 'I've read that they'll pay £500,000 for him and I said to the chairman 'happy days' but it's not going to be anywhere near that type of money unfortunately for us,' said Stimson.
'It will be something that, if he makes the grade at Arsenal, then we'll get rewarded and there will be some kind of fee for the transfer. He's a special talent.'
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Your Comments
Watch this space i suppose. I get a sense that Arsene's planning ahead for a future team and he is trying his best to secure and nurture the best young English talent for it. Imagine that - a mainly English Arsenal team! I must admit i have never seen Luke play, but have heard good things.
Cesky
If we do sign this kid, let's just be a little more intelligent this time and not burden him with the ridiculous hype we have subjected Theo to just because he is English. Please don't listen to those dumbasses in the media this time. It will only inhibit him and hinder his development.
Little Dutch
arsnal, english player, HYPE HYPE HYPE...no, that wont do at all! he sounds like a good prospect for the future, and i hope he can make it into your team - but there is never a guarantee of that.
pompeycarpet
and thats assuming you get him!
pompeycarpet
Arsene signs potential and talent, not Englishmen. At least Xenophobia doesn't rule at the Arsenal
darinb007
If it does goes through you can see the headlines already. Arsenal Signs an Englishman.
HK_Gunner
Yeah HK cos Arsene's never signed an Englishman before???
Spot on LD, here hopes he aint another Pennant.
AFC85Lew
The problem is they dont get much of a chance. Wallcot is a prime example of someone with so much talent who now look lost and lacking in confidence. I think if he had come through your youth system then he would have been sold by now. But when you pay 10 mill (was it) then Wenger cant sell him because he would only get about 2 and 6 for him.
SHOE HAMMER
Slightly off topic but it looks like we have drawn Liverpool away in the FA youth cup. Going to be a tough game for the youngsters as they have won it 2 years in a row. Seems Lansbury tore Burnley apart in the last round so hopefully he can do the same again. He looks like a good player and guess what. He's English.
PENZ
We only paid £5m for Walcott with up to another £7m depending on appearances, caps, trophies won et c., so i reckon we would get our money back. But there is pressure from the fans to play someone described as a 'wonder kid', fuelled by an absurd media hyping anyone English, who forget the kid part of the description. Then inevitably you get some fans, even on these forums, questioning whether an 18 year old kid is able to make the grade if he doesn't win young player of the year in his first year. Had he come through our own system I am sure we would have integrated him a little more carefully. If we do sign Freeman fans expectations need to be more reasonable.
Amos.
I was thinking about Pennant too - so many things can happen to prevent this kid Freeman from being a success, and lets not burden him with unrealistic expectations. Whats happening with Theo is tragic.
prits
Theo will be fine in the end, the fans have just been a mite moronic in their hype. Pennant just doesn't have the attitude, he looked incredibly ordinary even against Luton last night. (Though it was great to see Gerrard prove his worth against the big teams as he so often does).
Little Dutch
I question Theo because he has made consequetively bad appearances. I'm not getting off his case just because he is English. I can accept that he is still learning but he isn't first team quality yet, and has shown little to suggest he will be.
MeetTheGunners
MeetTheGunners uses an important word in his last sentance. 'Yet'. I can guarantee that Walcott will make the grade once he gets a proper run in the first team in his proper position as a striker.This isnt just blind faith with my red and white tinted specs on,this is my genuine belief. yes it pays to be versatile but despite his pace he isnt a winger, and we all saw what happened when he played upfront against slavia a couple of months back.
itsup4grabsnow
just play your best team - it will give all the other english players in the league an ide of what it is like to play against a good team, not one trying to be english for the sake of it. surely we should be getting on the back of middlesbrouch for not having enough foreign players iin there team? if the PL was all english, la liga all spanish etc. then there would be only 4 teams competing to win the world cup what fun would that be?
pompeycarpet
so another denial just before the big announcement happens this is football and i love it
ozanne park rangers
We'll sign him eventually :)
AB_Arsenal
good point, itsup4grabsnow. Theo looks much better upfront, and he simply doesnt cut it at RM. I'm sure Wenger sees it and is willing to sacrifice (bad) short term performances for the lessons he is learning. Maybe this will reduce the hype so that he can perform well once he plays upfront eventually.
prits
Walnut is a complete flop!! 12million for a kid who doesnt understand the game is quite bizzare. All really talented players no matter how young can find time and space on the pitch + be aware of others around them......
sport
But how many youngsters do you see look electric for one season before being found out and disappearing again. Theo is being taught lessons on the flank that will serve him excellently when he moves upfront and make him a better all round player. Otherwise he'll just end up like Aaron Lennon, having a decent half a season before being exposed as woefully overhyped, one dimensional crap who is beginning his inevitable slide into mediocrity at the age of 20.
Little Dutch
Arsene has just said in an Arsenal TV Online interview that he's 'not in the market at the moment.' While probed regarding youngsters, not first-team players from other clubs, Arsene conceded that it's 'only Freeman' that he'll be signing in this window. It's very very unusual that Arsene says publicly who he's bringing in before the deal's signed. Maybe he's been under pressure on the English talent side of things - he doesn't usually give in to that though. Maybe he's truly confident that the deal will get through. Maybe he's really impressed with the kid. Fingers crossed.
Lou the Gunneress
On Theo, he's out of the Fulham's squad, which I think is reasonable given Rosicky's back and Theo has to play again at Spurs on Tue. Personally don't see a need to read too much into it as him being 'dropped.' What delights me is that Arsene said "He will get a chance up front":
http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-7237749,00.html
Lou the Gunneress
sport,its called investment of the future. Le Boss has seen he is worth the money and bought him otherwise he wouldn't have especially with AW's history of not splashing money in buying players.
CoastarianGooner
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