Morning all.
Kev has very kindly written this mornings article.
By the time the January transfer window closed, Arsenal’s squad was possibly the smallest its been in years so when Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney joined Takehiro Tomiyasu on the injury list, Mikel Arteta has had little choice but to call up a larger than usual group of younger players for both training purposes and to fill places in a match day squad. But what does their inclusion tell us besides ‘needs must? How many of the youngsters do the coaching staff at Arsenal truly believe will join Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe in becoming first team regulars I wonder.
Arsenal FC could save themselves a pretty penny by developing more of the ‘Hale Enders’ and it’s fair to say that with them, comes more loyalty as they hold an emotional connection to the club. Arsenal boys becoming Arsenal first team men has been behind the majority of the most successful Arsenal teams of the past 50 years, because it works.
Opportunity and luck can play it’s part in any squad/youth players career of course, as we’ve seen with Tomiyasu’s injury affording Cedric Soares a lot more game time than he’d have otherwise had. Soares has done well but he’s not the long term solution. Possibly not even next season’s solution so could it be that Zak Swanson, one of the younger players who’s been heavily involved with the senior squad training sessions, will replace Soares next season?
Mikel Arteta must see something in him as he’s been a regular on the subs bench for a couple of months. Swanson has competition though because Brooke Norton-Cuffy has been been enjoying a successful loan spell at Lincoln City this season and despite his teenage years, has held the right back spot at the Imps since his arrival.
Miguel Azeez had a difficult time on loan at Portsmouth this season but, since his return to Arsenal in January, he’s been reintegrated back into the fold and has been part of the senior squad in recent weeks. Sometimes the chemistry isn’t right on loan, it happened with Hector Bellerin at Watford but Miguel is a talented player and if there’s an opening in midfield next season, he might be the one called upon. His contract situation is up in the air though as according to the internet, it expires this summer unless Arsenal take up the option of extending it for two more years.
Charlie Patino had his moment in the spotlight earlier this season but maybe it was too much too soon for him. A spell out whilst the likes of Hutchinson and Azeez have been getting on the bench should re-focus Charlie and he’ll come back stronger next season, probably in Europe and the League Cup.
Marcelo Flores is another one to watch. Already a Mexico U18 (I think he may have been involved in the U23’s as well?) we signed him from the Ipswich Town academy a couple of years ago and he looks a very interesting player, someone who could develop early as was the case with Saka and he plays in a similar inside forward role.
Apparently Edu has, in an ESPN interview, stated that this summer is going to be about quality not quantity, with perhaps only two key signings coming in. If this is the case, opportunities for our youngsters to really push on next season will be there.
Arteta, despite the criticism earlier this season, (Martinelli) seems to like working with young players but they have to be of the right quality as well as being physically, emotionally and mentally ready for the Premier League, which is unforgiving and can chew up youngsters. Therefore he can hold back young players who the fans clamour to see. It’s difficult for everyone but destroying a young man’s career is the alternative.
It’s going to be an intriguing summer…
On a final note, this is a reported quote from Mo Elneny from the Evening Standard.
If Arsenal say: ‘We want you’, I don’t think about leaving. It’s my family for six years. I love this club. I always love a challenge and give 100 percent all the time. I don’t decide who plays, but I keep going in training to show how good I am and to make him (Mikel Arteta) play me. If I don’t play I keep going until I get my chance. I’m really happy to be one of the starting XI for these two games. I gave everything in training to be one of the starting XI every game and I got my chance and I think I did well. Most importantly, we won the two games.
It’s been a long wait for me but you have to believe. I have to train hard every day, focus all the time to wait for a chance and when it comes you have to give everything just to keep it. He (Arteta) just trusts me and he put me in the big games, and I have to thank him for that. I will keep going and not think about anything else, just focus on my performances to help the team reach our goal. The contract and stuff, I’m just waiting for the club to decide what they want.
If there really is to be just the two signings this summer, players like Mo will be needed and I admire him for his attitude towards both the club and Mikel Arteta.
See you in the comments.
Hale end is one of the reasons that I will not be cutting my wrists if we get 5th this year . All of the players that you mentioned and a few that are plying their trade elsewhere Saliba , Ballard , Hein et al , if they come back will want games and it will be important not to go out of things in early rounds as I believe that that January period when we exited both cups held a couple of kids back.
Re Elneny , I said yesterday that a person like him is irreplaceable in the squad and it appears that he agrees. He and his family are happily settled and a reasonable offer gives both us and him a valuable squad member that needs no settling in and knows the working of the club and obviously gets on well with Arteta.
Morning Kev, all.
Good post Kev.
Same here Potter. My thoughts are if we get 4th place and not get past the group stage, more chance there is for the younger guys. If Edu is telling us the truth, it’s imperative that the young guys get playing time in a stronger competition imo.
NIce one Kev.
To have two youth players in the first team these days is unusual. If that number increases it will be a miracle considering the competition at the Premier League level.
The only player you mention that I have seen play and stood out was Patino. Very skillful, but looked also lacked pace, which is important at the top level.
George Graham benefitted from the last brilliant youth group to come through. Let’s hope the same happens to Arteta.
I think Arsene Wenger benefitted too. Would he have enjoyed such success without Adams, Cole, Winterburn, Dixon, Parlour etc.. I doubt it myself.
Morning Rico and all, positive comments from both Elneny and Arteta regarding Mo staying, Mo can buy a bit of time for maybe Patino or someone else from the academy to develop, he’s a good influence to have around the club and I’d imagine that his family is settled in the UK.
I guess once the club know exactly what european competition they’ll be in next season and what new players they can attract and how much KSE and sales provide Edu will know if Mo staying is feasible?
Kev, Agree re Mo, players with his attitude are rare and it’s good for others to see it too. A far cry from a few others we’ve seen recently departed.
It does seem though that Arsenal are going to stick with the sign young and promote policy if only two players do sign and I’m kind of in favour of that. Big money players often come with baggage. We don’t need any more like that imo.
Elneny was fantastic again on Saturday. He was up there with Xhaka for MoM.
Considering he has hardly been used this season his performances in the past couple of games have been totally professional. He won’t do many spectacular things but he provides a safety net to the defence and his passing is reliable.
We’re going to have to scrap all the way to the end of the season and he will be heavily involved.
Good morning all.
A rare Kevpost, what a treat.
I do agree that the way forward, in the present money and market situations, is to go with home produced players wherever possible.
However, there seems to be a growing belief that we are going to sign Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City in the summer. Edu (Brazilian) is thought to be keen on his (Brazilian) compatriot plus Arteta has considerable knowledge of, and perhaps influence with, the striker from his time as Pep’s deputy. At 25 Jesus is probably just entering into his prime. He ticks a lot of boxes for me, anyone else in favour?
None taken Cicero. 😜
Not sure what to make of the Jesus rumours. Everything adds up to make it plausible.
Yes Pete I agree, Elneny has put in two really solid performances vs Chelsea and Man Utd, in both of those games the opposition attacked us and that’s when he’s at his best when shielding the back four, it when we’re facing a team using a low block that he can look less effective, but all the same who else are we going to get to do his job (squad player) without having to shell out a load of dough?
With Mohammed and Jesus in the team, what could go wrong?
At least Elneny has stopped looking for the safe pass first.
Yeah Rico, Elneny, he did seem to be looking for the forward pass more often.
I’m with Potter, for as much as I’d love top four I’d not be suicidal if we got 5th, I really want to see our young lads developed next season and maybe the Champions League will limit their exposure if we get a hard draw but the Europa is like the League Cup.
I won’t complain either way.
Same here Kev. For the long term project, Europa is best but financially, CL wins hands down plus of course it’s possibly more attractive to potential signings. That’s why 4th but not get out of the group would be ideal. 😜
Yeah Rico, 1999-2000 was a fun season in europe where Arsenal qualified for the Champions League but dropped into the UEFA Cup after a difficult campaign at Wembley. The UEFA Cup was brilliant and I still cannot understand how we blew it in the final in Copenhagen?
Me neither Kev, me neither. Should have been our night. I’ve detested Galatasaray ever since. Lol
Morning Rico and all, nice write up Kev
I would be quite happy for Elneny to stay even if he is only as a back up player as he will be available to other an older head if needed in the dying minutes or the FA cup ECT.
If Edu claims that we are only going to buy 1 or 2 players does this include the USA player that we promised to buy this transfer window.
Depending on his pay requirements Jesus could be a good buy playing opposite Odegaard to keep the ball moving forward as he knows Arteta and has Premier league experience can only be a positive.
Morning Geoff. I believe the two American deals have gone through already, just the i’s & t’s to be crossed and dotted so I’d imagine they don’t count as far as Edu’s comments go.
A group of us were talking about that Galatasaray game after the game on Saturday. Not a great memory.
Copenhagen is wonderful city unfortunately in the days around the game the atmosphere was ruined by a number of hooligans. The Turks were very aggressive and thugs from all over Europe turned up for a fight.
We bumped into the Arsenal team on a stroll by the old port the evening before the game. The game was a car crash. Most of the players didn’t turn up.
And the penalties were dreadful….
Good post Kev…
we need to sign Moses too!
I worked with two guys near Barcelona in the 60’s one was called Jesus , the other was Angel , they called me the holy ghost.( el fantasma santo )
Useless information but I thought I would share.
Well, we’re supposed to be after Abraham. Does he count? Or was he just a smurf…
Good post Kev, afternoon all. I’ll believe we get Jesus when I see it. Many other clubs would be after a goalscorer where there is quite a shortage, especially at the optimum age and with Premier experience. Knowing our luck, we will get Rashford instead. But if we get fourth (we not good enough but then we don’t want Spurs to), chances would obviously improve.
The funny thing about Totts is, apparently Conte wants out and could go to PSG who are rumoured to be about to sack Poch. Isn’t Big Sam after a job. 😆
Good evening Rico and all
Lovely post Kev. Good points on which to ponder.
And your comment…. With Jesus and Mohammed in our team what can possibly go wrong…..is simply tops. made me chuckle.
I would love both Elneny and Nketiah to stay. Especially Elneny. I am amazed that Arteta didnt play him more this season. And he never bad mouths the club. As you pointed out Kev….how many backup midfielders are we going to find who are happy to play that position…as backup? Here the problem lies with Arteta not Elneny himself…..he should have picked him more and rested PArtey and Xhaka more. The thing is…..Partey and Sambi will stay on….so it has to be one of Elneny and Xhaka to make way for a new midfielder. because to have 5 vying for just two spots is a bit overcrowded. Then again if we get to Champions league we need more bodies.
I am in favour of Gabriel Jesus joining us. He can play anywhere up front both as a CF or on the flanks. And his scoring ratio is very good. As Rico pointed out….he ticks a lot of boxes, especially as Arteta has already coached him at City.
Tammy Abraham or Gabriel Jesus? tough question to answer. Ideally it would be both…..but then that would mean Nketiah leaving. Both players are good ones with a good scoring ratio per game plus Tammy Abraham is English and that counts for the home grown quota. Both of them know the league so the settling in period would be different if they never played in this league.
That’s old testament .stuff
Evening Devil.
The only name I could think of Potter
Didn’t Moses play for Man Utd?
Chelsea I think Kev.
New post up