Arturo Lupoli
Encyclopedia
Arturo Lupoli is an Italian footballer who plays as a forward, currently for U.S. Grosseto. His former clubs include Parma
, Arsenal
and Derby County
, where he spent the 2006–07 season on loan. He was renowned as having a rivalry with Italian International Giuseppe Rossi
, as the media had billed the two as the future of Italian football. Despite this Lupoli has not prospered to the level of his compatriot.
, Lupoli began his footballing career with Italian side Parma. During his Allievi (Under-17) season he scored 45 goals in 22 games, one of the best tallies ever recorded in Italian youth history. However, by mid-2004 his contract had expired. Lupoli signed an Arsenal
contract by way of a scholarship, the Gunners paid Parma £200,000 compensation.
in the Carling Cup
on 27 October 2004. His next match, against Everton
in the same competition, brought him his first goals for the club, two of Arsenal's three goals in the 3–1 victory on 9 November. He also played in the match against Manchester United
which saw Arsenal's exit from the competition. He was Arsenal's top scorer at youth/reserve level in 2004–05
, with 27 goals in 32 appearances.
Lupoli scored prolifically at youth/reserve team level during the 2005–06
season, alongside Nicklas Bendtner
. He also figured in the Gunners' 2005–06 League Cup campaign, winning the Carling Cup New Talent Award. He scored his third and final Arsenal goal in the 3–0 win over Reading in this campaign. It was during this season that he made his only league appearance for the Gunners, in a 1–0 loss at Blackburn
.
Lupoli moved to Derby County
on a season-long loan on August 18, 2006, and debuted for Derby in the 0–0 draw at home to Norwich City
the following day. He then got a brace against Colchester United
in a game which Derby lost 4–3. On January 6, 2007, Lupoli scored Derby County's first hat-trick for over a decade in a 3–1 victory third round FA Cup
tie against Wrexham.
Lupoli was linked with a transfer to either of the two Milan based football giants; A.C. Milan
and Internazionale
. However, Pierpaolo Marino, General Manager of SSC Napoli, announced he had Lupoli's word he'd come to Napoli when his contract with Arsenal had expired, since it was his dream to play for his home city club. Despite this, on February 26, 2007, Lupoli signed a pre-contract with Fiorentina
. Lupoli stressed, however, that he would do his absolute best for Derby for the remainder of the season, and in his first match for Derby after confirming the Fiorentina move, scored a goal and provided an assist.
on 1 July 2007, signing a five-year deal with the Viola in a free transfer. However he never made his debut with the Tuscan side after joining Treviso F.B.C. 1993
on loan for a period.
On 22 July 2008, Lupoli moved to English Championship
side Norwich City
on loan for the 2008/09
season. Manager Glenn Roeder's
connections with Arsène Wenger
are believed to have been behind the club's interest in the player.
when they and my teammate David Bentley
were in the Premier League and have followed their progress."
He took the squad number 18, and made his competitive debut for the club against Coventry City
in a 2–0 loss. His first goals for the club came on 23 August 2008 versus
Cardiff City
at Ninian Park
, as Norwich came from two goals behind to draw 2–2, Lupoli scoring both late on.
After spending a long time out of favour with manager Glenn Roeder
, Lupoli publicly stated that he would leave the club in January if not given a run in the team. In the following game, an FA Cup tie against Charlton Athletic
at The Valley, he proved his worth by coming off the bench to score Norwich's equaliser after fans chanted his name throughout the match. However after getting frustrated at a lack of first team football Lupoli's loan was terminated on the 2nd February 2009
on loan until the end of the 2008/09 season. He made his debut for The Blades a few days later when he was given a starting role in the Steel City Derby
against local rivals Sheffield Wednesday
. He needed only five minutes on the pitch to find the net but despite scoring on his debut he was unable to prevent United's loss to their bitter rivals. Although suggesting he wished to stay at Bramall Lane
beyond the length of his loan deal he returned to Fiorentina
after the Blades failed to clinch promotion having made eleven appearances and scoring two goals in a disappointing loan spell.
in a co-ownership deal.
Parma F.C.
Parma Football Club , commonly referred to as just Parma, is an Italian professional football club based in Parma, Emilia–Romagna that will compete in Serie A for the 2011–12 season, having finished in twelfth position last season. Founded as Verdi Foot Ball Club in July 1913, the club changed its...
, Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
and Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, where he spent the 2006–07 season on loan. He was renowned as having a rivalry with Italian International Giuseppe Rossi
Giuseppe Rossi
Giuseppe Rossi is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for Spanish club Villarreal CF and the Italian national team.- Early life :...
, as the media had billed the two as the future of Italian football. Despite this Lupoli has not prospered to the level of his compatriot.
Parma
Originally from FrattamaggioreFrattamaggiore
-Geography:It is located in the Afragola hinterland. At the 2001 census the municipality had a population of 32,731 inhabitants and a land area of 5.32 km² . It is bordered by Afragola, Cardito, Crispano, Frattaminore, Grumo Nevano, and Sant'Arpino....
, Lupoli began his footballing career with Italian side Parma. During his Allievi (Under-17) season he scored 45 goals in 22 games, one of the best tallies ever recorded in Italian youth history. However, by mid-2004 his contract had expired. Lupoli signed an Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
contract by way of a scholarship, the Gunners paid Parma £200,000 compensation.
Arsenal
Lupoli's debut in the Arsenal first-team was in a match against Manchester CityManchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
in the Carling Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
on 27 October 2004. His next match, against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
in the same competition, brought him his first goals for the club, two of Arsenal's three goals in the 3–1 victory on 9 November. He also played in the match against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
which saw Arsenal's exit from the competition. He was Arsenal's top scorer at youth/reserve level in 2004–05
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
, with 27 goals in 32 appearances.
Lupoli scored prolifically at youth/reserve team level during the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
season, alongside Nicklas Bendtner
Nicklas Bendtner
Nicklas Bendtner , is a Danish international footballer who plays for Sunderland on loan from Arsenal as a striker...
. He also figured in the Gunners' 2005–06 League Cup campaign, winning the Carling Cup New Talent Award. He scored his third and final Arsenal goal in the 3–0 win over Reading in this campaign. It was during this season that he made his only league appearance for the Gunners, in a 1–0 loss at Blackburn
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
.
Lupoli moved to Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
on a season-long loan on August 18, 2006, and debuted for Derby in the 0–0 draw at home to Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
the following day. He then got a brace against Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
in a game which Derby lost 4–3. On January 6, 2007, Lupoli scored Derby County's first hat-trick for over a decade in a 3–1 victory third round FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
tie against Wrexham.
Lupoli was linked with a transfer to either of the two Milan based football giants; A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
and Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
. However, Pierpaolo Marino, General Manager of SSC Napoli, announced he had Lupoli's word he'd come to Napoli when his contract with Arsenal had expired, since it was his dream to play for his home city club. Despite this, on February 26, 2007, Lupoli signed a pre-contract with Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
. Lupoli stressed, however, that he would do his absolute best for Derby for the remainder of the season, and in his first match for Derby after confirming the Fiorentina move, scored a goal and provided an assist.
Fiorentina
Lupoli finally completed his move to ACF FiorentinaACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
on 1 July 2007, signing a five-year deal with the Viola in a free transfer. However he never made his debut with the Tuscan side after joining Treviso F.B.C. 1993
Treviso F.B.C. 1993
Football Club Treviso is an Italian football club based in Treviso. The club was formed in 1909, and refounded in 1993 and in 2009. The club currently plays in Lega Pro Seconda Divisione.Treviso's official colours are light blue and white.-History:...
on loan for a period.
On 22 July 2008, Lupoli moved to English Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
on loan for the 2008/09
The Football League 2008-09
The Football League 2008–09, titled the Coca-Cola Football League, was the 109th completed season of the Football League. It began in August 2008 and concluded in May 2009, with the promotion play-off finals....
season. Manager Glenn Roeder's
Glenn Roeder
Glenn Victor Roeder is an English football manager and former player, most recently in charge at Norwich City. As a player, Roeder represented England B on 7 occasions...
connections with Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
are believed to have been behind the club's interest in the player.
Norwich
Following the finalisation of his loan move to the Canaries, Arturo told the club's official website "I am very happy to be here and hope to contribute for a great season for Norwich City and to be successful. I spoke to the Manager and I really feel that he wants me here. I know a lot about Norwich City – I was with ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
when they and my teammate David Bentley
David Bentley
David Michael Bentley is an English footballer who plays for West Ham United as a winger, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur....
were in the Premier League and have followed their progress."
He took the squad number 18, and made his competitive debut for the club against Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
in a 2–0 loss. His first goals for the club came on 23 August 2008 versus
Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
, as Norwich came from two goals behind to draw 2–2, Lupoli scoring both late on.
After spending a long time out of favour with manager Glenn Roeder
Glenn Roeder
Glenn Victor Roeder is an English football manager and former player, most recently in charge at Norwich City. As a player, Roeder represented England B on 7 occasions...
, Lupoli publicly stated that he would leave the club in January if not given a run in the team. In the following game, an FA Cup tie against Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
at The Valley, he proved his worth by coming off the bench to score Norwich's equaliser after fans chanted his name throughout the match. However after getting frustrated at a lack of first team football Lupoli's loan was terminated on the 2nd February 2009
Sheffield United
On February 2, 2009, Lupoli joined Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on loan until the end of the 2008/09 season. He made his debut for The Blades a few days later when he was given a starting role in the Steel City Derby
Steel City derby
The Steel City Derby is a local derby that takes place between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, the two professional football league teams based in the city of Sheffield, England...
against local rivals Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. He needed only five minutes on the pitch to find the net but despite scoring on his debut he was unable to prevent United's loss to their bitter rivals. Although suggesting he wished to stay at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
beyond the length of his loan deal he returned to Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
after the Blades failed to clinch promotion having made eleven appearances and scoring two goals in a disappointing loan spell.
Ascoli
On 25 June 2009, Lupoli transferred to AscoliAscoli Calcio 1898
Ascoli Calcio 1898 is an Italian football club based in Ascoli Piceno, Marche. The club was formed in 1898 and currently plays in Italian Serie B, having returned to it after two seasons spent in Serie A...
in a co-ownership deal.