"It wasn't only Arsenal fans celebrating at the weekend. Former Highbury reserve Guy Demel (24) scored his first Bundesliga goal in Hamburg's 2-1 win away at leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday. Hamburg are now level on points with second-placed Werder Bremen, 8 points behind Bayern. The French-born defender, who was making his 47th league appearance, was signed by Arsene Wenger on a free from French club Nimes back in July 2000 but never appeared in the first team and was sold on (for a reported £190,000) to Borussia Dortmund a year later. Keen-eyed Arsenal fans will have also noticed that he featured briefly as a member of the Ivory Coast team in the recent African Cup of Nations, appearing as right back in the 3-1 defeat to Egypt in the final group match".

"Meanwhile, in Turkey's Super League, former Arsenal trainee Omer Riza notched his first goal for new club Trabzonspor in their 2-1 win at Vestel Manisa. The 26-year-old striker, who moved from Denizlispor in the January transfer window, made his one and only first team appearance as a 90th minute substitute in Arsenal's 2-1 Worthington Cup win at Derby County in October 1998. Having struggled to establish himself in English football, Riza's career has flourished in Turkey and his 5th goal of the season keeps Trabzonspor in the hunt for a UEFA Cup spot".

[ See our ex youths page for more on Riza, and also Jamie Day. ]

"Day (26) is closer to home. The former England and Gunners youth team player was also in the goals on Saturday. The midfielder set up the first and scored the second as he helped Nationwide Conference South team Welling United on their way to a 3-1 win at Hayes.

Welling, who also have former trainee Adrian Clarke (see biog) on their books, currently lie sixth in the table".

See also our former players and staff page for links to more 'Old Boys' resources.

Thanks again to Guy. If anyone other readers come across former Arsenal players and fancy sending us the lowdown, please do.