Morning all.
Following on from my previous post it was very heartening to see that several of our Hale End graduates joined the ‘mid-season break’ party to Dubai, which incidentally also gives Arteta and his coaches the opportunity to study our youngsters closely both technically and to see how they interact with their peers. It should also give our youngsters encouragement and a feeling that despite a negative vibe online that they’re actually getting closer to breaking through.
Of course with every game between now and the end of this season being truly monumental and a must win, it’s unlikely that the opportunities for our Hale Enders will be available, probably even less than usual. With that in mind, I’d imagine quite a few of them will be thinking and considering about a loan for the rest of this season, to a club which can hopefully offer them senior football exposure and the experience of playing in a pressure environment where every point really matters.
I’ve picked out eight who I believe should be angling for a loan:
Jack Henry-Francis (20) is a stocky, tenacious midfielder who like all Arsenal youngsters has a high technical level. He’s had a few injury issues and that has probably slowed down his progress, but Arteta took him to Dubai and hopefully he’s impressed the boss because I kinda like him. He’s gone under the radar a bit but he has a certain Conor Gallagher bloody-mindedness about him and sometimes you need a bit of ‘over my dead body’ in certain games. He most certainly should go out on loan this January because I reckon he would thrive.
Mauro Bandieira (20) returned to Arsenal recently after an unsuccessful loan spell at Colchester United, unsuccessful due to a bad injury that restricted him to around 7 appearances. I was a little surprised when Arteta took him to Dubai but then again Mauro had already been on the senior bench before so Mikel knows of him.
He is Portugese and Arsenal, if I recall, recruited him from QPR when he was 16, so he’s been with us awhile. He’s a central midfielder with a good range of passing and likes a tackle and is at the stage of his career where he needs another loan and importantly a change of fortune.
Karl Hein (21) was one of four goalkeepers in Dubai, he’s the Estonian No.1 and needs to play, he must be looking at Arthur Okonkwo at Wrexham and thinking ‘what if?’. I don’t see any point in him remaining at Arsenal as it stands so send him to a club where he’ll play.
Amario Cozier-Duberry (18) seems to have been around the U21’s forever and yet he’s still very young. Last season was his breakout campaign where he was being touted as the understudy to Bakayo Saka. This season he’s stood still thanks to a few injuries (where have we heard that before) and fallen behind a couple of his contemporaries, all the same Arteta took him to Dubai. A fast skilful inside forward come winger with a powerful shot, I’ve heard it said that he lacks confidence, maybe he’s a bit shy, so a loan, even at 18, might just do the trick. Away from the Arsenal goldfish bowl could be just what he needs.
Charles Sagoe Junior (19) beat Cozier Duberry to the first team this season when he played against Brentford in the League Cup, but he’s not been involved much since. Arteta took him to Dubai so he must still be in the managers mind. He’s not one that’s caught my eye but he played right wing vs Brentford and I believe has played as a striker for the U21’s. Needs a loan I suspect.
Reuell Walters (19) always seems on the point of earning his senior debut but it’s not come for him quite yet, even though I think he’s close. Arteta took him to Dubai and he’s impressed previously in pre-seasons recently passed – so if Cedric Soares eventually (hopefully) leaves this January then Arteta will probably need him, but it’s likely that Cedric will stay, because he so loves it at Arsenal.
Reuell really needs some senior football so he definitely needs a loan. He’s a very skilful defender who can play right-back but I’ve been more impressed seeing him at centre-back.
Lino Sousa (19) came with a big reputation when Arsenal signed him from West Bromwich Albion, he’s another who had several stints warming the bench but unfortunately this season not many games have been comfortable enough for him to debut. A left-back whose very quick and technically very sound, I guess the question is can he move into midfield? Arteta took him to Dubai, along it seems with everyone else, but he seems to be in the managers thoughts and would benefit greatly from a loan in a senior environment.
Finally one who didn’t go to Dubai, which surprised me!
Bradley Ibrahim (19) is a leggy box to box D/M type midfielder who routinely captains the U21’s and is highly rated by the academy staff. He has a high technical level but can mix it if required to do so, he reminds me a bit of Abou Diaby, style wise and is playing in a position where Arsenal are going to need upgrades very soon, so a loan is exactly what he needs at this stage, a la Patino.
By AllezKev…
Morning Rico/Kev
Nice insight. I don’t watch the U21s, so good to get some views on their progress. There appear to be some gems coming through, but it’s a huge leap to 1st team at Prem level. Nwaneri is clearly the stand out, but hopefully some of the supporting cast can push through too.
Loan moves can prove a player’s worth. It looks like Patino is struggling to make an impact at Swansea as he’s been on the bench recently. Despite the hype from various sources I’m not sure he has the ability to make it at Arsenal. Watching him play a few seasons back his lack of pace really stood out. To make up for that the the other skills need to be top notch, think Cesc F. Time will tell.
Morning Pete, Kev, all.
Great read Kev. With all these FFP charges, there might never be a better time for the youngsters to believe they have a chance. All they have to do is prove they deserve it.
Morning Rico and All.
Thanks Pete, I watch the U21’s and U18’s highlights on YouTube from time to time, when they’re available.
It can give you an idea of what the academy is developing but you have to remember the level the boys are playing at, it’s why a loan is so important to many youngsters progression.
Thanks Rico, exactly, FFP, it may also bring down transfer fees and financial demands from players/agents especially from Europe.
Kev, I miss the club having its own tv channel because there was far more access to the games live. The European fixtures possibly give us more of a clue as to what level our players are at, especially as so many clubs pluck the best under 23 players from wherever they can whilst their cheaper.
The Evening Standard reports that Zinchenko will miss Saturday’s match through injury.
Kiwior plays again?
I guess so, unless Arteta has been impressed by someone else whilst away..
Rico, I think that the club has missed the boat somewhat regarding no TV channel. There are so many really good content providers who are Arsenal fans whose work is pretty much all on YouTube. To me it’s a missed opportunity by the club to reach out to the greater worldwide fan base and allows low grade outlets like AFTV to drive their own narrative and bias.
I can’t really think of anyone else Rico who Arteta can use at left-back unless he’s going to hand Lino Sousa his full debut?
Agree Kev, been saying similar since the day the channel folded. Such a shame.
I doubt it too because that would be out of character for Arteta to throw a youngster in for a PL match. What’s Tavares up to these days? 😜
Nuno Tavares, yeah whatever did happen to him – at Nottingham Forest? The last I heard was that Forest were going to send him back to Arsenal, I wonder if we can sell him to Wolves or Sporting?
To anyone would help. Shame as he looked a real talent to begin with..
Sun shining so walkies time… 🐾
The funny thing is that I thought he looked better going forward than he looked defensively so maybe he’d be better playing the Zinchenko role?
Then again maybe he’s just a very average player who we took a punt on and it’s wishful thinking from me?
Another comment has gone walk-about Rico, in moderation perhaps@
Perhaps he’s just a winger Kev..
Me too Cicero, it’s a problem HH had before. I’m still unable to comment on the main page but in the admin section, it’s ok. A very kind man is on the case…
Test
Ah, that seems to be better. I’ve been logging out of WordPress and back in several times and this time it’s working ok..
It’s all the fault of Russian Bots
Then again it could be Chinese Bots
Or a load of old bots…. 😜
O’er it went all weird a few minutes ago, I wonder if that was an attack by Iranian Bots?
Yes Rico, these bloody Bots, they’re a right bummer. 😀
I’ll be glad when football returns Kev, that is until Palace play us. 😜
Come on Rico, where’s your positivity?
I reckon Rico, that after a week in the Dubai sunshine that we’re due a goal avalanche…
Kiwior at left back?
I know Zinchenko gets a lot of heat for his defending (often justified), but Kiwior has really struggled in that position. He looks like a reserve centre-back playing at full back.
He probably needs minutes to get settled, but I’m not sure he’s as versatile as White or Tomi.
I haven’t been much impressed with Kiwior. Would it be a good idea to sell him, there have been tentative enquiries from a Polish club, and replace him by promoting one of our own youngsters, Ruell Walters for instance? No transfer fee to pay and lower wages too.
Sending players out on loan can be costly as I guess we would have to pay at least part of there wages if they go to a lower league club. Like the old saying goes, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
For or against? Kev. 😉
That is me being positive Kev..
Kiwior’s versatility is in midfield as I’m sure he’s once played CDM. Not for Arsenal mind you.
I am not particularly over enamoured with Kiwior either but Tavares was a different animal . Never a full back but a left hand midfielder was always on the cards , he is young quick and strong ,a bit naive but that would come with patience . I could see him doing the inverted fullback system certainly a lot quicker than Zinchenko not immediately but could be trained into it.
I think his days are numbered at Arsenal. One of a few players who Arteta didn’t mind oiking off the pitch early.
Good detailed post Kev. Maybe Walters can get a chance finally if Cedric does finally go to Turkey.
Potter, we are not seeing what Kiwior is capable of.
He’s a top prospect CB in Europe. Very good at positioning from CB. He has incredible passing skills that clubs are dying to have.
He could be ok filling in defensively at LB.. but can’t really do the inversion well. He probably should have turned down Arsenal because he could be making a name for himself as a CB in Europe by now.
He can’t be happy with how he’s being used. It’s a shame because we won’t make enough of a profit selling him with how he’s being used, a few minutes here and there, and out of his best position.
Who will watch the game against C. Palace at the Emirates?
Nigel, lack of rotation has a lot to answer for.
Agree Rico.. Winning at all costs is one thing. Running the starting 11 into the ground 80 minutes twice a week, with the energy expended the way we press is bad policy.
The players that don’t start can never get in good form with a few spotty minutes. Look at Nelson. Smith Rowe when he’s available. Nketiah is ok but he’d be my 3rd or 4th choice sub behind Trossard, Emile, Reiss, Vieira.. (when most are available).
I’ll be watching J M, but only on television.
Me too Cicero.
Nigel, imo, it’s one of Arteta’s weaknesses. This squad is his now yet he still doesn’t seem to trust certain players he chose to keep or give a new contract to.
New post up now.