English footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas joined Arsenal’s youth academy when he was eight years old but failed to have an impact in the first-team after graduating from the Gunners’ academy. He was given glowing reference by coach Arsene Wenger, but eventually he didn‘t have enough quality. 25 years later, he is arrested and charged in connection with an attempt to smuggle cannabis with an estimated value of 600,000 pounds through a British airport, UK police said Thursday.Greenock Morton forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been arrested in connection with the seizure of £600,000 worth of cannabis at Stansted Airport. The 33yo, who has also played for Arsenal, Ipswich, Bristol City, QPR & Aberdeen, is due to appear at Carlisle Magistrates Court today pic.twitter.com/NLZgoAHdK5— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) September 19, 2024 Former Arsenal forward made his Premier League debut for the club during a 2-0 defeat by Chelsea in October 2010. A month later he would make his Champions League bow in a 2-1 defeat by Shakhtar, before leaving Arsenal to join Ipswich for 1.1million in 2011. After spells at Bristol city, QPR and Gillingham, the 33-year-old left the UK to play for Thailand side PTT Rayong FC. He came back to the UK and in recent years played for Livingston, Aberdeen and Kidderminster.“One thing is for sure – he can score goals. That is a massive talent you cannot give to people, his right foot, left foot, he is unbelievable in front of goal. This guy is an unbelievable finisher, inside and outside of the box. He has outstanding qualities, he has the build you dream to have. It is down to how far he wants to go because he has big potential“ said Arsene Wenger about him on Arsenal TV in 2010.Bad news for Arsenal: Odegaard suffers ligament damage, recovery won’t be quickThe 33-year-old forward, who now plays for Scottish second-tier side Greenock Morton, was arrested by National Crime Agency officers in Gourock, near Glasgow, on Wednesday. He was denied bail by the court.“Mr Emmanuel-Thomas is a 33-year-old man, good character, no convictions. He has been a professional football player for all his adult life and played at a number of top teams across the UK“ said his attorney but that didn‘t help. Two women, aged 28 and 32 had also been arrested at Stansted Airport, according to the NCA, and were also charged with drug importation offences.Kenyan journalist to aid Arsenal legend Nwankwo Kanu in writing his bookThe NCA, which investigates serious and organized crime, seized the drugs at Stansted Airport, in southeast England, earlier this month. Border Force officers detected about 60 kilograms of the drug in two suitcases, which had arrived via a flight from Bangkok. London-born Emmanuel-Thomas is expected to appear before magistrates in the northern English city of Carlisle on Thursday, accused of importing class B drugs.”The NCA continues to work with partners like Border Force to target those involved in drug smuggling — that includes both the couriers and the organisers” NCA senior investigating officer David Phillips said.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 1TuesdayJuventus – PSV 3-1 (2-0)/Yildiz 21, McKennie 27, Gonzales 52 – Saibari 90+3/Young Boys – Aston Villa 0-3 (0-2)/Tielemans 27, Ramsey 38, Onana 85/AC Milan – Liverpool 1-3 (1-2)/Pulisic 3 – Konate 23, van Dijk 41, Szoboszlai 67/Bayern – Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 (3-0)/Kane 19 pen, 58, 63 pen, 78 pen Guerreiro 33, Olise 38, 61, Sane 85, Goretzka 90+2 – Petkovic 49, Ogiwara 50/Real Madrid – Stuttgart 3-1 (0-0)/Mbappe 46, Rudiger 83, Endrick 90+5 – Undav 68/Sporting – Lille 2-0 (1-0)/Gyokeres 38, Debast 65/WednesdayBologna – Shakhtar 0-0Sparta Praha – Salzburg 3-0 (2-0)/Kairinen 2, Olatunji 42, Laci 58/Celtic- Slovan B. 5-1 (1-0)/Scales 17, Furuhashi 47, Englels 56, Maeda 70, Idah 86/Club Brugge – Dortmund 0-3 (0-0)/Gittens 76, 86, Guirassy 90+5 (p)/Man.City – Inter 0-0PSG – Girona 1-0 (0-0)/Gazzaniga (og) 90/Thursday19:45: (4.20) Crvena Zvezda (3.60) Benfica (1.95)19:45: (4.40) Feyenoord (3.70) Leverkusen (1.80)22:00: (4.10) Atalanta (3.50) Arsenal (1.90)22:00: (1.80) Atl.Madrid (3.60) RB Leipzig (4.60)22:00: (1.90) Brest (3.60) Sturm (4.50)22:00: (4.60) Monaco (3.60) Barcelona (1.80)***odds are subject to change***
