Morning all.
AllezKev has popped up with a cracker for today, so enjoy.
If the European championships have shown us anything so far, besides how overrated and over-hyped international football is, it’s that many of the players who are continually linked to Arsenal in multi million pound deals, are really quite ordinary and certainly not worth the transfer fees quoted for them.
I mean, £51 million for Alvaro Morata anyone???
But we also know that the unending, incessant and frankly tedious Press transfer speculation will still continue to bombard us throughout the summer, most of which are baseless rumours and downright lies, invented by journalists desperate to justify their existence in an industry which long ago gave up any pretence of being factual and professional in the way it does its business. Then of course the Internet will eat away at these stories in its position of influence, spinning the same old stuff over and over again…
And so, let me move onto a subject a tad more positive and factual…
Francis Coquelin, Hector Bellerin and Alex Iwobi have all shown the value of an academy and if any academy can produce one or two players of Premier League quality each season, then that academy is doing a great job.
There is currently a fine crop of young players on the cusp of the Arsenal first team squad. The majority will not make it but maybe there are at least three who I think could make progress into the first team squad this season on a regular basis.
Chris Willock will be 18 this August and he has the potential to make as big an impact on our first team as Alex Iwobi. He can play wide midfield, almost as a winger, which makes him a candidate for the problematic left wing. He can also play centrally where his close control and speed makes him a dangerous attacking option. 8 goals in 32 U21 and youth appearances is a decent return for young player with huge potential.
Krystian Bielik also played 32 games for the U21’s and youths, scoring 1 goal. He was signed from Polish club, Legia Warsaw, where he had already appeared in its first team in midfield. Whilst at Arsenal, he has been playing centre-back for the under 21s. But I see this imposing and physically strong player as a central midfielder, and that’s where he played in his first team debut in the League Cup last season. The fact that he can play centre-back is a bonus, but I see him eventually developing into a classical defensive midfielder for the first team.
Jon Toral had a hugely successful season at Birmingham city, scoring 8 goals in 37 appearances for the championship side. A contemporary of Hector Bellerin, who has come through a terrible run of injuries but has just enjoyed an injury free season in the Midlands. He could actually save the club a huge fee by replacing one of the three midfielders released by Arsenal this summer.
Of course there are many others who could step up and reinforce the first team squad and I’ve given you my three, what do you all think?
Here’s the 2016/17 league fixtures just in case you haven’t seen them yet.
August
13/08/2016 15:00 Arsenal v Liverpool
20/08/2016 15:00 Leicester City v Arsenal
27/08/2016 15:00 Watford v Arsenal
September
10/09/2016 15:00 Arsenal v Southampton
17/09/2016 15:00 Hull City v Arsenal
24/09/2016 15:00 Arsenal v Chelsea
October
01/10/2016 15:00 Burnley v Arsenal
15/10/2016 15:00 Arsenal v Swansea City
22/10/2016 15:00 Arsenal v Middlesbrough
29/10/2016 15:00 Sunderland v Arsenal
November
05/11/2016 15:00 Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
19/11/2016 15:00 Manchester United v Arsenal
26/11/2016 15:00 Arsenal v A.F.C. Bournemouth
December
03/12/2016 15:00 West Ham United v Arsenal
10/12/2016 15:00 Arsenal v Stoke City
14/12/2016 19:45 Everton v Arsenal
17/12/2016 15:00 Manchester City v Arsenal
26/12/2016 15:00 Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
31/12/2016 15:00 Arsenal v Crystal Palace
January
02/01/2017 15:00 A.F.C. Bournemouth v Arsenal
14/01/2017 15:00 Swansea City v Arsenal
21/01/2017 15:00 Arsenal v Burnley
31/01/2017 19:45 Arsenal v Watford
February
04/02/2017 15:00 Chelsea v Arsenal
11/02/2017 15:00 Arsenal v Hull City
25/02/2017 15:00 Southampton v Arsenal
March
04/03/2017 15:00 Liverpool v Arsenal
11/03/2017 15:00 Arsenal v Leicester City
18/03/2017 15:00 West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal
April
01/04/2017 15:00 Arsenal v Manchester City
04/04/2017 19:45 Arsenal v West Ham United
08/04/2017 15:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal
15/04/2017 15:00 Middlesbrough v Arsenal
22/04/2017 15:00 Arsenal v Sunderland
29/04/2017 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
May
06/05/2017 15:00 Arsenal v Manchester United
13/05/2017 15:00 Stoke City v Arsenal
21/05/2017 15:00 Arsenal v Everton
Have a great days guys….
Morning again all.
Good post Kev. Thank you.
I think AW will have little choice but to promote a few from the under 21’s because if he goes off and signs five players, he’s going to have to move a few out and that’s just not his way. And this squad is a settled and happy and too many changes could upset that, and we’ve already lost three who have been a big part of the club for a long time.
£51m for Morata, crazy!
Just shows that crazy prices doesn’t always confirm crazy ability. 51 mil for Morata is a total joke when you think of Alexis, Ozil, Sergio A I could go on were less then 45 mil. Said it quite a few times the Ricardo Rodg left back is the man to sign and for 19 mil is a steal only young with CL exp playing in Germany which is a very similar league to the EPL, I’d take Vardy for 20 Mil if possible he’d be stupid to turn us down, Kante is a must buy who cares about Ramsey, Wilshere, Theo etc how many years has Wenger gave them to prove themselves? Ramsey this week has already said how much faith Wenger has in the team still can’t believe we finished 2nd….
But prices have inflated because of the money being thrown in the game imo.
I’d love Kante in our midfield…
Kante 22 mil, Vardy 20, Marhez or Miki(whatever is name is) 25 mil Ricardo rod 19 Mil and Xhaxa 30 mil are we happy with that? I would be over the moon maybe another striker but Ollie does a good job not great but good I bet he’s Frances top scorer at the Euros
Mr Allezkev. An excellent and topical post there.
I’d be over the moon Steven….
You never say that about mine Adam… 🙁 🙁 😉 😉
Mr Adam, praise from a wordsmith as yourself is praise indeed.
If Steven gets his wish regarding signings, then I’d be quite content.
Where’s Rick ?
Rico, thanks for the sub edit ?
So would I Kev and quietly confident.
Hayden & Akpom have a big decision to make this summer….
Apologies Rico. I will in future. 🙂
🙂 Adam..
Russia 1-0 down….
2-0 🙂
Allez Slovakia…
Nice post. Hope our academy can bring a mercurial striker.
Beauty of a goal from Hamsik
Sunning wasn’t it Marshall. Sign him up… 🙂
Marshall, the best striker in the Academy is probably Edward Nketiah, who is English and has come right through from the schoolboys…
There’s Yassin Fortune (French) and Donyall Malen (Dutch) as well as English duo Stephy Mavididi and Kaylen Hinds…
Rick could probably tell you more…
Do you reckon he’ll go on loan Kev or is he strong enough for the first team squad…
I think he’s too young to go on loan yet Rico and if what Rick says, concerning the FL Trophy, develops then we’ll need to retain more players, at least till the FLT is completed or we’re out of it…
Mavididi and Hinds could both get a loan as they are older..,
Yes it was stunning Rico,
Kev, I’ve read/heard abit of Mavididi and Fortune hope they turn out fine
From what I’ve read and seen only Malen and Nketiah look to have the quality to go all the way towards the 1st team…
Ah yes, I forgot about that Kev.. Hopefully Rick will know more soon..
But you could be right Marshall ?
What do you think Hayden and Akpom will do, stay, loan or leave?
Madshall ?
Marshall ?
I came to your rescue…. Lol
T’was a long range again Rico.
There should be a stat on how long range goals have earned teams wins or even a draw.
I ain’t sure about them Rico, I like them both as you know, especially Isaac, but I wonder if they did enough at Hull..?
Then again Bellerin wasn’t a rip-roaring success at Watford, where he was criticised, and look at Hector now, in the Euros with Spain.
And I never gave Coquelin an earthly of coming back from Charlton, when he went on loan there I thought that was his lot.
So Marshall could be spot on with Fortune and Mavididi..?!
That is a great post my friend. I really enjoyed reading about those three prospects.
Toral I have seen from you tube clips and the odd game…..but unfortunately I do not get to see the U21 AFC games. I wish I could though. Would not miss any of them if I lived there.
Aye…I agree about how over rated some players are in the Euros. Koscielny type find anyone??? From the French second division. Or another Elneny???
We need more from those…..even as squad members.
But we do need the one or two super signings like Ozil, Sanchez and Xhaka.
We need a CB and a CF asap
Haha some people think am mad too Kev. Nice save Rico.
A striker would save us a bucketloa of money cause if today Lukaku is worth (atleast according to Everton) £50M you can imagine how strikers will cost in the next 4-5 seasons.
For me Rico, Akpom just didn’t score enough goals, but he looked ok when he made his 1st team debut at Arsenal…
Hayden didn’t get enough games for me, but i still think he can do something at Arsenal, but both of need to push on this summer and make an impact in pre-season, otherwise I think younger players will overtake them and Wenger may make signings…
Marshall, but don’t forget how many from distance don’t go in…. 😉 😉
Thanks Rico…. ?
You and me both Kev, perhaps they’ll both stay and be part of the CO Cup squad. I’d just love to see them get a chance before giving up on them…
Here we go, Russia are in full long-ball, a la Pulis…
Has anyone seen the Algeria/Albanian (can’t remember) striker we are being linked to? The one Leicester are after too…
2-1
How did England lose to this rubbish Russian team… Beggars belief.
Thanks Coach, I know it’s not as popular as it once was, but I still enjoy seeing our own lads coming through into the first team…
It’s all a balance, but the Petro dollar and Galatico clubs make it more difficult for fans of other clubs to remain patient with young players…
Let’s all laugh at Russia….
Fcuk off back to your Moscovite slums…
Have you guys seen the reports about Isis on their way to France and Belgium?
2-1 the final result, that is good for England… But not good as far as the trouble goes as Russians will be wound up big time….
I wish the club would gets its own channel back on TV… Used to always watch the youngsters matches…
Not read that Rico, frankly I would imagine that there’s more than enough religious nutters in France already. And Belgium, and Britan, and Germany and everywhere…
There’s more out than in I’m afraid…
Frightening Kev…
Ronaldo may have come 2nd in the Ballon d’Or but Hamsik has shown him how to play the game and also raised the bar.
I have seen Mavididi live a few times and he reminds me of Kevin Campbell. He’s big for his age 6 foot tall and heavily built and scores plenty of goals in over age football. It will be interesting to see how he goes when the growth pattern of his opponents catch up with him.However so far I have been impressed and I think he will get the chance although hopeful;ly he will not be another Afobe.
Cheers Potter, thanks for the insight…
Yeah, like you Rico, it’s a joke that a club as big as ours, even if we don’t act like it, hasn’t got an in-house TV channel…
If you go on You Tube, you can do that via your TV, you can get some Arsenal youth games.
I didn’t know that Kev, thanks..
“How did England lose to this rubbish Russian team… Beggars belief.” …uhm mom, we drew. But losing two pounts felt like a loss though
There’s a young kid in our U12’s (U13’s now) called Omari Hutchinson, you should see his skills..,
Oops Marshall, I meant draw…. honest.. Lol
Afternoon Rico and the house
Busy day school run for my granddaughter now spending time
with my delightfully g/g/daughters, how ever still have time for H/H
As Rico said cracking post Kev , and like you have said I think a lot
of fans have lost interest in the youth teams.
As things stand I think the academy and Fl revampe will help the likes
of Akpom Haydon Gnabry during the coming season, and they could surprise a few doubters. Like Kevin I think Jan Toral will be the next one to make it into the first team and will be a success if he is played in his best position
Like Rico I would love to see our own TV return we could all see the youth team progress.
I will post some more thoughts later but for the moment duty calls
Afternoon Rick, look forward to your updates. Enjoy the family running around… Lol
Now this may be the straw that breaks……..
https://www.facebook.com/148068245554171/videos/vb.148068245554171/251521791875482/?type=2&theater
No access for me on that link..
basically its a video showing a Russian moron lighting a flare during today’s game when they pulled one back.
lighting a flare is prohibited.
tbh…..I would like UEFA to have balls, or as Podolski puts it, nuts, and chuck Russia out of the finals. Then we will see what happens with FIFA if they have nuts or balls to take away the hosting of the world cup from them.
Well, if they’ve set off a flare, they could be gone. Was there fighting?
You could be right Rick, if Coquelin proved anything it’s that you shouldn’t write anybody off because of age…
Gnabry looked a really good player before his injuries, he’ll be 21 by August, so it’s up to him to get his nut down and work.
Same for Hayden, will also have turned 21 by the start of the season, Akpom will be 21 in October, so the opportunity is there if they want it enough and they’re good enough….
Coach, I sent you an email…
It’s all kicked off again in France with the English fans involved….
just answered mate. thanks….I really enjoyed catching up a bit with you.
I’m offski, night all..
Thanks again Kev…
What a big yawwwwwnnnnn
50 minutes gone between France and Albania and not a single shot on target.
8 shots off target
Kev I am winding down after a very busy day and have just read your post and all the comments for a second time.
I feel certain that the Academy format will be changed for the coming season,and it will give some of our youngsters a massive uplift in the chance to make it with the club.
Bellerin Akpom Toral Gnabry Chambers and Hayden as you say are all 21 this year and next season is the last they can play without being included in the 25 man squad. However if the new format is what I have been told it is. they could stay with us for 3 more years as U23 reserve team players.
I think this is a big bonus for the club and the players and both will reap the benifit.
I also think it will benifit the likes of Willock Moore and Johnson who could make a big step up next season,.
As for a C/F I agree with Potter about Mavididi. He is just 18 but was top scorer in the u21 league last season. I am hoping that that he stays injury free next season and that they do not play him out of position.
All for today Good Night More Tomorrow
Morning All
Morning Rico.
A neighbour chased off a couple of scumbags on Boris bikes trying to break into my cab this morning. So a normal day in South London.
I blame the EU…
Morning Kev and all.
Thank goodness you have good neighbours Kev… What gits eh..
Morning Rico, Kev and all.
Kev, the low-life’s are everywhere. Bob Mugabe wouldn’t stand for it.
Morning Adam
Morning all.
What were they looking for, Kev?
‘Left luggage?’
Or perhaps the refugee, Sanogo?
God post btw. Really we don’t know enough about the potential of our ‘rising stars’. Not like the past when we found about or even went to see the reserve games in the Football Combination or SE Counties league. I was never sure why the pose leagues disappeared? It certainly hasn’t improved the quality for the ‘infants” has it?
New post up now.
Rico. I see that Jack has taken to social media to push his own agenda of British nationalism, true love and to offer us a view of his new haircut. Yes, after a triumphant season with Arsenal he is fully living up to the hype that a young man on between 6 and 7 million quid a year might be expected to.
Brudder, you were right about him 2 years ago, which was just about the last time he actually did anything.