Afternoon guys.
The bad news just keeps on coming for Arsenal. After Gabriel Martinelli picked up an injury last week which is likely to keep him out of the game for a month, it seems Kai Havertz has picked up a hamstring injury which according to David Ornstein, is so bad he won’t play again this season.
So, I’ve looked at the academy squad on Arsenal.com because at some stage, if not already, one or two of them are going to be on the bench with a very good chance of actually getting on the pitch.
Listed below are a few options, 18 years old being the youngest, and a brief description of their abilities which again, is from the official website.
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji – 22 years old.
With three goals in 14 appearances for us last season, composed forward Nathan had benefitted from loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Cheltenham Town over the past two seasons, both of which provided a taste of senior football at League One level. After returning from loan at Cheltenham last term, he scored three goals in the two Premier League 2 play-off matches. Nathan joined our Hale End Academy at the age of eight and was encouraged to watch clips of Thierry Henry as a youngster by his father.
Charles Sagoe Jr. 20 years old.
A composed and intelligent forward who is a threat on either wing, Charles Jr joined us from Fulham in 2015. He was a regular at under-21 level last season, scoring six times from 26 league outings, and also appearing in all four Papa John’s Trophy matches. In March 2023 he was named on the bench for our Europa League match away to Sporting CP.
Sebastian Ferdinand – 19 years old.
Right winger Seb made 21 appearances across our youth sides last season, scoring twice in both the U18 Premier League and the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. It was the game away to Exeter City’s first team in the latter competition where the tricky winger made a real impact, scoring twice and registering an assist in a 5-0 win. Sobha Realty Training Centre is close to where Seb grew up in St Albans, and he had also played for a youth team in London Colney before joining our Hale End Academy aged 13
Ismeal Kabia – 19 years old.
Dutch right winger Ismeal made the step up to our under-21s team last season, making 13 appearances in Premier League 2, including both play-off matches. He also featured for Jack Wilshere’s under-18s side in the U18 Premier League and FA Youth Cup and represented us in Europe in the UEFA Youth League. The speedy forward, who is eligible to play for the Netherlands and Sierra Leone at international level, has been with us from the age of 11. He made his first-team debut for us at home to Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup in 2024/25.
Jakai Fisher – 18 years old.
Clinical finisher Jakai (full name Demar Bascoe-Fisher) is fast and direct, always relishing the opportunity to beat defenders in one-on-one situations. He joined the Hale End Academy at under- 12s level and has frequently punished opponents when given time and space in and around the penalty area. He made three appearances in the U18 Premier League last season against Reading, Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion, when he was deployed on the right wing.
Daniel Oyetunde – 18 years old.
A dangerous, clever forward, Daniel is effective whether operating as a central striker or out wide on the wing. He joined our Hale End Academy at under-15s level and, in the 2022/23 season, he made his under-21s debut in the Premier League Cup as a schoolboy. Last season, the skilful forward made 11 appearances in the U18 Premier League, scoring twice and providing one assist. He also appeared twice for our under-19s team in the UEFA Youth League.
The question going through my mind is, is it better to just jiggle around with the first team squad to fill the gaps as best as possible or, would it make more sense to use a player who is actually a striker/goal scorer albeit at an under 21 level as long as they are talented to begin with?
Before the season began, did any of us honestly believe that Myles Lewis-Skelly would play as many games he has let alone perform at the level he has? Not me that’s for sure and bearing in mind the club signed Riccardo Calafiori in the summer, I very much doubt Mikel Arteta thought so either. Now though, it’s hard to imagine him not being on the team sheet.
Once Arteta finally decided to give Ethan Nwaneri more minutes, he too has more than held his own and now, he’s our best right sided forward option. Leandro Trossard could move central with Raheem Sterling starting on the left or perhaps the latter will simply fill in for Havertz? Worryingly so in my opinion.
Regardless of how Arteta shuffles his players around, he’ll need attacking players on the bench which is where the players as listed above come into the mix. My guess is that Kabia will be the first one who we’ll see a bit more of as he’s already featured in the League Cup as well as being named in the first team squad. I’d imagine Nathan Butler-Oyedeji must be hoping that this could be the opportunity he’s possibly been waiting for too.
As the saying goes, when one door shuts, another one opens. Who for I wonder….
Catch up in the comments.
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Harriman- Annous ?
Khayon Edwards ?
Hey Bertie, I went for the 18+ players.
Saying that, I clearly missed 21 year old Khayon Edwards
2 is a bit young even for us Rico.😉
No interest in out of contract strikers? A six month pay per play option with performance payments could work.
Needs must when the devil drives.
It’s a well known saying, but what the hell it means I’ve no idea.
😂 Cicero, a bit of a cockup by me..
Just looked at TransferMarket, there are lots of players without a club.
I’m one of them but I’m old.
However, if necessary, I am ready at almost zero cost.
My great opportunity to play in the Champions League!
Ha ha Jm.
Shame Everton couldn’t hold on for the draw…
But they did just that Rico. 2 – 2. Lead cut to seven points.
Blimey, it was 2-1 and nearly full time so I assumed. Wrongly obviously Cicero. 😝
Not making any signings in January is looking more and more stupid by the day…
Big fight , points deduction , like we had.
Fingers crossed eh…
Nice one Rico, almost Jeorge Bird’esque.
Premier League and Champions League football is unforgiving, you have to be a bit special like Saka, Nwaneri or Lewis Skelly to survive, so I don’t see any of those available lads being capable of making an impact, but like you Rico I reckon that Kabia is the best bet out of that lot?
Can any of them come off of the bench to protect our shrinking pool of attackers, late in games? Well probably yes, if we’re say leading 3-0 with 15 minutes remaining.
I more likely can see the likes of Califiori, Tierney, Merino and Rice playing out of position during the next month until Martinelli returns…
Oliver and Var in chaos as added time equaliser is pored over seemingly endlessly for possible offside and foul in the build up. Then at the final whistle it kicks off with fighting between players, two straight red cards one for each side, plus both Slot and his assistant got red cards too.
Both teams should be sanctioned fined and suffer points deductions, but will they? Don’t bet on it!
Morning Cicero, all.
Thanks Kev, just a bit of C&P from AFC.com really. Those who travelled to Dubai with the first team could be the players Arteta turns to. Kabia Butler-Oyedeji and Sagoe Jr.
I doubt either will be punished with a points deduction either Cicero. I don’t think we were either when all hell broke loose after the RvN penalty miss. Hopefully the incident etc will be enough to upset Liverpool’s season though. Wishful thinking I know.
Our likely front three for the next, who knows how long, will be Nwaneri, Trossard and Sterling. On March 16th we play Chelsea for which game Sterling will be ineligible. There is talk that Merino could be moved into the number nine spot having played there earlier in his career.
Can anything else go wrong? 😕
Good morning Rico.
I’m hoping that one of the youngsters step in and has the same kind of impact Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly has had. Sometimes, a situation like this can force a manager to be brave..
I say youngsters but these players aren’t kids and they’ve been prepared for times like this.
I know little or nothing about our younger players having never watched a single game. However, I would prefer to see one of our academy players fast tracked into the first team squad than play a midfielder as a stop gap.
I fully understand Arteta’s reluctance to sign just anyone in January when it became obvious that he wasn’t going to get his preferred choice of striker until the summer. Sadly that reluctance looks like biting him in the bum if our season blows up.
I only know what I read and a few YouTube clips.
My gripe is not signing a player on loan when it became clear the club couldn’t get a deal done for who they wanted in January. A sort term risk was a low risk and one which might make have helped.
Good morning (for you Englanders….for me its already afternoon) everyone
That was enjoyable to read Rico. a top one.
Sanctions for Liverpool??? hahaha. lol. Don’t hold your breath. And Everton will be let off scott free simply because its against Liverpool……if they punished them and not Liverpool an uproar would ensue. Had it been Everton against Arsenal I can assure you that both teams would have points docked.
I expect that Tierney or Zinchenko could go on the left wing….tbh I prefer them there instead of Sterling. Nwaneri could easily play as a CF although still young. Deep down I want him to play there and be a success…..but at the same time if Nwaneri did play there and score a hatfull that would give the club an excuse not to buy a striker. Its a double edged sword.
I have heard all options about Calafiori and Merino up front. But I doubt that…..and would be very surprised if that happens.
We have to wait and see how the line ups pan out. I still think that the attack at the beginning of the game will see Nwaneri, Trossard and Sterling up front.
The Liverpool result was great for us,especially as Liverpool were winning in injury time. Now we just need them to drop points in 3/4 games,while we keep winning – simple !
And we absolutely must not lose the game at Anfield. Another thing we don’t want is the game at Goodison,scheduled for Saturday 3.00 to be moved to an evening game,Everton are a different opponent under the floodlights. I didn’t watch the game last night but I’ve seen highlights now,the atmosphere was electric.
I would normally go for academy players every time,this is such a crisis,maybe a short term contract for a older free transfer would be worth it.
To me this season has been a little disappointing,very good in parts but the best thing has been the breakthroughs by Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri.
I hadn’t thought of Raheem Sterling not being available for the Chelsea game. Who would have thought we would miss him.
It’s afternoon here too Devil…..
As do our re our options up front, what we’ll miss is Havertz’s ability to hold the ball up imo.
Curtis Jones ran across full pelt and deliberately attacked Doucoure, it was violent conduct and should carry a three match ban, in fact it should probably be upgraded to 4 matches.
Slot has already been banned this season so this is his 2nd offence and therefore should carry a three match ban minimum for foul and abusive language. Maybe the PGMOL softly softly approach to Liverpool could change? 🙏🏻
Can you imagine how the media would react and pile into Arsenal if we’d reacted as violently as the Scousers but all the media will do is gaslight after a day or two…
How on earth does Van Dyke continually gets away with what he gets away with is astonishing, but not surprising.
I’m not sure I’d like to see our 17 year old gem Ethan playing as a striker quite yet, the thought of some big lump of a centre back going through the back of him brings back memories of seeing Brian McDermott kicked senseless after an impressive Combination season alongside Paul Vaessen.
Maybe no centre forward is the way to go, play Sterling or Trossard as a nine and a half or a ten.
Tierney or Califiori left wing seems to make a lot of sense, both play like wingers anyway?
The line up at Leicester is certainly going to be informative and show us how Arteta is thinking, his use of substitutions also?
VvD is a ghastly player who I hope picks up a ban just before we go to Anfield.
Agree re Nwaneri and I can’t see him playing central. Not for a few years yet if ever at all. It’s only Arteta’s opinion that he might end up as a striker and a different manager might see his career going in a different direction. He seems to me to be the ideal backup/replacement for Odegaard.
Limey, re your earlier which I missed. Spot on all round imo.
Havertz to undergo surgery tomorrow for damaged hamstring, will not be back until after pre-season. From the club website.
The need to sign a free agent striker is even more urgent now.
Gosh, that’s a bad hamstring injury ☹️
Who though, that’s the question….
Good morning everyone.
I just came across this on FB.
The president of FIFA referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina has proposed a ‘ONE SHOT’ rule to all on game Penalties similar to what we see in penalties shootout changing the way penalties are taken during regular time.
“I think there’s an excessive gap between the opportunities for the shooter and the goalkeeper. On average, 75% of penalties end in goals. Plus, there’s the chance of a rebound off the goalkeeper. One solution is the ‘ONE SHOT’ rule, similar to what we see in penalty shootouts after extra time. No rebounds. Either you score, or the game resumes with a goal kick. This would also eliminate the spectacle we often see before a penalty is taken, with everyone crowding around the area. It looks like horses at the starting gate before a race.”
What do you think about this proposal?
35 years ago today…….
Morning all.
Don’t think it makes much difference really as it’s the same for all. We don’t get penalties so not worth worrying about. 😝
Good morning all,
I’m totally against the “one shot penalty” idea. The chances of rebounds etc being put in the net are part and parcel of the game. Part of the excitement. Part of the entertainment.
What is the advantage of having such a rule? What are Fifa hoping to achieve? There are enough more important problems in football that the money soaked mandarins should be putting their limited brain power to use in trying to cure.
Good point Cicero, like auto offside technology, rubbish referees and what is or isn’t a penalty in the first place. Not to mention delaying a restart…
That idea sounds to me like someone trying to justify their well paid gig by finding problems where there aren’t any….
You old cynic 😝
I am Rico I cannot deny it 😁
You’re not alone Kev. 😂
I’m in good company Rico 😉
Everton, Liverpool and Arne Slot have been charged by the Football Association after the chaotic scenes at the end of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
The clubs have been charged with failing to ensure players “did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way” after the final whistle.
Liverpool head coach Slot is charged with having acted “in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour” towards referee Michael Oliver and one of his assistants, which led to the Dutchman being red-carded.
Slot’s assistant Sipke Hulshoff, who was also sent off, faces a similar charge for his behaviour both before and after he was dismissed.
The clubs, Slot and Hulshoff have until Wednesday, 19 February to respond to the charges.
You are Kev… 😂
tbh I don’t agree with it at all. a lot of issues are concerned in it. Collina states that if the keeper saves it it is a goal kick and if it does not go in game restarts with a spot kick for the defence. However I think that there is a fallacy here…..what if the keeper pushes it for a corner??? would it be a spot kick or a corner???
And what if the ball rebounds against the post and the defence boots it up and a forward races to the other end and scores?? with Collina’s method this would not happen.
So I say its better everything remains as it is…..although he does have a point about everyone gathering around the penalty area .
I’m with Cicero, just leave the penalty stuff as it is and concentrate on ways to improve the officiating. Technology for offsides is coming soon which I think is a good thing. Shame technology can’t be used to actually officiate the game in full, as then it might be more fair and VvD would spend half the season suspended… lol
Morning Devil, guys.
New post up.