Morning all.
I think the Arsenal surprise of season so far has been Myles Lewis-Skelly. He played a bit, then a bit more and right now, he seems to be Mikel Arteta’s preferred left-back. It’s easy to believe he’s been playing because of injuries because it’s true but boy, has he taken the chance he’s been given with both hands. Not literally of course but you know what I mean. Delap and Phillips tried to bully him on Friday but our guy not only stood tall, but stood strong too. Watching him play is an absolute joy and he really is Mr Calm with the ball at his feet, clearly confident in his own ability.
Declan Rice said it was “ridiculous” how good the 18-year-old already is.
He can go to the top, this kid is just special, very special. For an 18-year-old to be that good, that comfortable, that strong — it was like he was built in a lab! I said that to him the other day, it’s just ridiculous how good he is, but he has a long way to go. He’s so level-headed, he’s got a great family around him, I know his mum looks after him really well and all the boys at the training ground do too. We have a really good crop of youngsters coming through and he can be what he wants to be, he just needs to stay focused and always want more and he can do that.
Who doesn’t love seeing one of our own break into the first team eh and this season we’ve been spoiled with Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri slotting into the first team with consummate ease. I’d imagine that next season we’ll see even more of them, plus the emergence of one, two, maybe more of the academy players who have been involved in the first 2/3 League Cup fixtures as well as regularly training with the first team. If we suffer many more injuries to our attacking players, they might be called upon before then.
I know we laugh now about Arsene Wenger and his comments about not signing players who’d block the path of the young players, probably because other than Ashley Cole and Jack Wilshere, I can’t recall many of our then academy players cementing their place in the first team squad let alone the starting eleven. Alex Iwobi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles perhaps but the rest went off elsewhere. If I’ve missed someone else, I’m sure you’ll put me right. Lol
Things within the academy seem to be working better now, perhaps the influence of Per Mertesacker is the reason for that but an academy is only ever as good as the players it recruits and then develops until it’s time to either introduce them to first team training and beyond. If just two a year make it into the first team squad then in my opinion, the academy is working really well. Those who considered to be not quite good enough, if sold, should make the club a profit. Ruthless I know but not every hopeful will make it Arsenal. On the flip side, not every academy player with great potential will want to stay at Arsenal. I know, it’s hard to believe isn’t it?
But it’s that side of the academy which can be improved on in my opinion, departures. Whilst Emile Smith Rowe, and Eddie Nketiah left for a reasonable fee back in the summer, 22 academy players either left for a pittance or nothing.
Next summer, the following players will also be able to leave for nothing although Arsenal do have a one year option with Okonkwo.
- Brian Okonkwo – 18yrs GK
- Michael Rosiak – 19yrs DM
- Zane Monlouis – 21yrs CB
- Ayden Heaven – 18yrs CB
- Salah Oulad M’Hand – 21yrs CM
Firstly, the number is much much less than last summer which is a huge positive but in amongst them is a player who has already shown great promise and that’s Ayden Heaven. It might be that Mikel Arteta doesn’t think he’s not right for Arsenal although it might be that Hayden believes the grass is greener elsewhere. He definitely wouldn’t be the first and he certainly won’t be the last yet if did his homework, looking at the careers of those who left last summer, he might just think twice. If Arsenal have or do offer him a new contract, he’d do well to sign it. Yes, I’m biased of course.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico.
The rise of Myles Lewis-Skerry and Nathan Nwaneri will either save Arsenal a lot of money in the transfer market or provided sizeable amounts from future sales. Definitely a win win situation.
Morning Cicero, Berg, all.
Definitely a win win situation but I hope the really good players want to stay.
Me too re the players who leave, very few do I want to do well. Mind you, I was glad Hutchinson got one over Chelsea yesterday.
Good morning all. I admit to loathing certain players who left AFC, particularly RVP and Sanchez who by all accounts, like Petit disclosed, regretted almost immediately leaving us. I say this as ESR and to some degree Eddie although talented, were forced out.
I track their progress as I believe they still have a place in their heart for us.
Hleb is another player who has openly admitted he’d wished he never left us for Barcelona.
If we are going all out for Cunha, he’s only been banned for two games.
I think Cunha would suit our style.
I think so too, plus he’s PL ready.
Afternoon Geoff, Happy New Year to you too.
https://youtu.be/goJaPcQo3AY?si=UNtiR1sK_reps98r
Afternoon Rico and all.
Happy and safe new year
Matheus Cunha would be a good reinforcement.
I think he would adapt, this player from “Coxa”.
Shame Edu is not still involved Jm.. 😂
Afternoon Kev, thanks.
The weather forecast for later is pretty grim so hopefully the big city will be quieter..
Agree re the money, certainly in many cases but then it’s not much different in the senior game.
Afternoon Rico, good post.
Happy New Year Geoff,
I’m working today and I’ve been told, as I’ve not done a New Year for quite a few years, that the behaviour of revellers has taken a distinctively downwards trend, so I might go home before the midnight hour.
It’s taken a few years for the influence of Artetaball to permeate the Academy both in terms of the profile of player and how the Coaches develop them, but I feel we’re beginning to see the benefits even if we’re also struggling to keep some of our best youngsters. Barcelona had/have the same problem. Barcelona though still managed to keep the best even if they lost a few and hopefully Arsenal will do the same?
Youngsters come to the Arsenal Academy because of the complete education they’ll receive, the youngsters we miss out on and who move to certain other clubs do so because their heads are turned often by financial inducements, I’m glad we still continue to work along the more pastoral lines.
The boys that come from Hale End generally buy into the club ethos.
It will be interesting to see how many youngsters this January and which ones are sent out on loan?
Kabia, Kacurri and Henry-Francis perhaps?
@rico that video summed up that we have to get Cunha and stop our rivals getting him.
It certainly shows how he’d fit Berg, whether Arsenal will stump up the money or not is another matter..
RIP Johnnie Walker…. 🥲
….and another one bites the dust, Wayne Rooney has left Plymouth by mutual consent.
I’d give up on management if I was him…
I think it’s good opportunity for us.
With luck, Arteta will be thinking the same.
Another pirate bites the dust, Rico.
I’m surprised that anybody in their right mind would give Wayne Rooney a job in management, because he clearly isn’t up to it!
I recall the pirate radio stations Kev, I was very young of course. Luxembourg was probably the one I listened to the most. Good times.
I listen to Tony Blackburn still, he’s still such a pro and his jokes are dreadful. 😜
The first, Radio Caroline, had begun regular broadcasting on Saturday 28 March 1964, off the coast of Felixstowe. Others, such as Radio Atlanta (Frinton-on-Sea), Radio Scotland (Dunbar / Troon), Radio 390 (Red Sands Fort, Whitstable) and Radio London (Frinton-on-Sea), soon followed building up an audience of millions.
We used to listen to Radio London and Radio Atlanta the most.
Yeah Luxembourg on a Sunday. Top 40 for 2 hours.
Dave Lee Travis was great too.
Yep, and a tape recorder standing by to record favourite songs. Such good old days..
rico, who knows?
May I wish you all whatever you wish yourselves in 2025.
Happy New Year to you all. May your days be blessed
Happy New Year guys.
Hope 2025 is kind to one and all.
New post up.
“”WONDERFUL RADIO LONDON”” wasn’t it . I used to listen to it on the car radio , for some reason the reception of the others wasn’t as good and the light programme didn’t cut it.
Anyway Happy new year folks, Football comes later.