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QPR's highly-ranked goalkeeper Liam O'Brien, whose reported unhappiness was noted in the press a few weeks ago, is listed as a trialist with Arsenal.
Arsenal Academy 2-3 Ipswich - FA Premier Academy League
Under-18s Saturday, January 26, 2008Report
Arsenal
Liam O'Brien (TRIALIST) Anton Blackwood Sam Byles 75 Cedric Evina Luke Ayling Kyle Bartley Tom Cruise Craig Eastmond Emmanuel Frimpong Luke Freeman Jonas Rasmussen Ahmed Abdulla 70 Jay Emmanuel-ThomasAcademy Report
Arsenal
From an Arsenal blog, Young Guns " Decision Close On Arsenal Trialist O’Brien" Arsenal are expected to make a decision on Goalkeeper Liam O’Brien before the end of the week.
O’Brien [16] played 90 minutes on Saturday as a young Under 18s team lost 3-2 to an impressive Ipswich side .... Manchester United and Tottenham are also keen on the QPR goalie but Arsene Wenger and his coaching staff have managed to bring him in on trial, he featured last week for the Under 16s another story we broke first....Young Guns
From a few weeks ago:
Skysports December 22, 2007Sky Sports/Graeme Bailey - Eight eye R's starlet
Premier League sides battle for R's youngster
Up to eight Premier League clubs are looking to lure Queens Park Rangers starlet Liam O'Brien away from Loftus Road, skysports.com understands.
The 16-year-old goalkeeper is already playing for the club's Under 18s and has made his debut for the reserves, and is rated by many as one of the brightest talents for his age in the country.
Scouts have been alerted to O'Brien - who is still on schoolboy terms at the club having rejected the chance to sign scholarship forms.
The likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, Portsmouth, Manchester United and Newcastle are believed to be amongst those showing an interest in O'Brien.
QPR know they face a real battle to keep O'Brien and realise if he did leave he could do so at the end of the season with only minimal compensation due to the Championship club. Skysports