Word spreads about our Danny, a personal appearance, and Raheem Sterling forced to lower asking price for his house

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By Tony Attwood

As you will know if you are with us regularly, ex-Arsenal player and Arsenal scout Danny Karbassiyoon has written a series of articles for Untold (there is an index back to them in Danny’s last piece for us in which Danny answered questions posed by Untold readers.)

And you’ll also know (if you have been paying attention) that we’ve just published Danny’s book “The Arsenal Yankee” which tells the tale of how he was found by Arsenal, and what happened thereafter).

There’s more about the book (with a Foreword by Arsene Wenger) below.

Now here’s a funny thing.  Danny did an interview in the Independent (which I highlighted recently) and now, just as they so often do, the Metro has picked up on that interview and re-run it with a new headline and a new emphasis.

The story, according to the Metro in its headline, is

Arsenal scout Danny Karbassiyoon reveals just how good Gedion Zelalem is

What Danny “says” here is not quite the same as before – but still, the story runs and runs, and who knows where it is going to go next.

According to the Metro report, “The Arsenal scout who discovered Gedion Zelalem has revealed what set him apart from other young stars.

“Danny Karbassiyoon first spotted the talented 19-year-old, who is currently on loan at Rangers, after being invited to watch him play in the USA.  And Karbassiyoon had never seen a player like him on US soil.”

The Metro then goes on to quote Danny’s words.

‘I saw Gedion in a training session, and he was very different from what I am accustomed to seeing, from a typical player in the US,’ Karbassiyoon told The Independent.

‘Technically he was very, very gifted, he rarely looks like he’s under pressure and always has a way out.

‘I hadn’t seen that in players in the US, his intelligence and awareness were on another level.’

The Metro continues…

After Karbassiyoon watched him play, he invited the then 14-year-old for a two-week trial at Arsenal’s training base London Colney.

‘Initially Gedion was training with the under-16s and he did really well, so he was put in with the under-18s, and continued to do well,’ he added.

‘Two days before the end of the trial, he was thrown in with the reserves, and continued to impress.

‘When a kid comes on trial you want him to make a difference, not just do enough to be part of the group.

‘And he was influencing sessions with senior players.’

Where, I wonder, will this story turn up next?  And what emphasis will it have?  It will be interesting to see.

As I said above, details of Danny’s book are below.   But you can, if you are a member of Arsenal Independent Supporters Association, (or if you fancy joining) get to see Danny in person and ask him questions, for Danny will be the guest of AISA at a meeting in London on Monday 25th April, commencing 7.00pm.

If you want to join and then come along, there are membership details on the AISA web site.   It does say there that membership runs from July to June, but I am hopeful that memberships registered now will continue through next season.  I’ll try and get that resolved and be back on that matter shortly.

Meanwhile, and on a different subject, you might recall that in the olden days we used to have players who were supposedly transferring to the club spotted at airports.  Then we had Arsenal players spotted at estate agents by the press, thus “proving” they were about to sell up and move on.

But it turns out it is not always that easy.   For now the Telegraph is running the story that “Raheem Sterling forced to lower asking price for £1.2m mansion”.

Life’s just never easy.

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Danny Karbassiyoon’s book “The Arsenal Yankee” with a foreword by Arsene Wenger is now published.  You can buy the book…

• On line here for £14.95, plus delivery
• Or by phone on 01536 399 011 using a credit card.
• Or by Pay Pal to Jane@hamilton-house.com  Don’t forget to enter the title of the book and your delivery address on the Pay Pal site, and calculate the full amount including delivery, see below.
• Or by post to Hamilton House Mailings Ltd., Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Rd., Corby, Northants NN17 4HH with a cheque.

The cost of packing and delivery is UK £3.95, EU £4.95, Rest of world: £5.95, and that applies irrespective of the number of books ordered.   The book is also available on Kindle.