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Have to admit that I thought we'd bagged him already, but today Arsenal have announced that Italian striker Arturo Lupoli has signed a professional contract with the club.
Another one of Arsene Wenger's controversial poachees, Lupoli arrived in July from Parma, where he had been brought through the youth ranks.
He's looking like an excellent signing already with a quite extraordinary record in the lower ranks: 3 goals in 2 games for the reserves, and 4 goals in 2 games for the U18 side. Actually this is perhaps a disappointing record for Lupoli, he scored closer to 2 goals per game for Parma's youth team as they won their league last year!
He has been capped at U16 and U17 levels by Italy, and is registered with UEFA to play for Arsenal in this year's Champions League.
Following the last reserve team match, a 3-0 win over Derby in which Lupoli starred and scored twice, Reserve team boss Eddie Niedzwicki had the following to say,
"He has come from Parma but he actually hails from Cremona. Now a very, very good friend of mine was one of the world’s best strikers, Gianluca Vialli, and he also came from Cremona. He told me Lupoli was very highly thought of and had a big reputation.
There is a long way to go and he still needs to learn the game but we are pleased with what he has done. He certainly knows where the goal is and he has a lovely left foot. It is never easy coming over at a young age from another country. He has taken up the challenge and he is going to be a player." | 
