I'm bored of it. Nothing will happen until July anyway so lets at least try to discuss something other than how horrible Wenger is for not signing Ronaldo, Messi, Alonso and Sneijder already. We always talk about how our golden youth is coming through and it seems that many believe this is a myth. Just last season we saw Wilshere and Szczesny come into their own big style and Song the season before. Our future midfield could be manic. With Ramsey and Wilshere claiming the spots for the foreseeable future, it'll be interesting to see how we'll appease: Lansbury Aneke Toral Bunjaku Jack Jebb? (It says he's a midfielder, not sure though) Who are all great talents, in particular the last four (I only see Lansbury as ever being a squad player) It seems that we may finally have a great striker coming through in Afobe, although he's got a year or two before he should even be considered for a PL loan. Then we have some certain loanees to talk about. Players who, so far, appear to have incredible quality and should be knocking on the door for the next season. Miyaichi- if I need to tell you, you really haven't been awake since January Wellington- as quickly as he was hyped, he was written off. More potential than Miyaichi, but perhaps a tendency to dive and cheat. Hope that's drilled out of him. Mind you, I'd be testy if I had been given so little game time too. Coquelin- either he or Frimpong will make it at Arsenal. I can't see both managing. Bartley- Done fantastically on loan at Rangers (as in the Scottish ones), should be knocking on the door for cup games next season if he doesn't go back out. I believe they've been playing him as a DM too. Which is nice to know in terms of versatility. At home we've got a few more rising stars in Martinez, our reserve goalie who has impressed many this season and even earned a call up to the Argentine senior squad. I also previously mentioned Frimpong, who missed this season due to a cruciate injury. We recently signed Bellerin from Barcelona. He fluffed his first interview by mentioning that he'd like to return there someday but that's fine. We just won't get attached to this one and sell him back for huge profit. A skillful winger, his crossing is a dream. Watching videos of his Barca youth days, his greatest attribute is easily the way he plays the ball into the box. I have missed out several players who are coming through, but it is quite exciting to watch Arsenal's golden generation in the making. Wilshere and Szczesny are the first REAL players to emerge from Wenger's youth set up. I'm looking forward to seeing some more.
I'm not so sure that any of them will make it. Miyachi has a chance but we are really well stocked in his position.
The one player who I don't think got mentioned who looks like a future first XI player at Arsenal for me is Miquel at CB. He is quick, skillfull, calm and composed. Obviously time will tell, but he reminds me of a young Paulo Maldini
I think my biggest gripe with Miquel is that he is gobsmackingly slow. Any player of the Walcott ilk would rip him apart.
Agree, he doesn't look like the fastest CB, and might not be the best against pacey CF's. But against teams that try to play their way through a defence (like us) he would be great.
Wilshere was the first player school exclusively on "Wenger-ball" to come through the revamped Youth Academy. He's been at Arsenal since he was around 8 I believe. That's 10 years of Wenger-style teaching, and the results are great to see! There are a lot of players coming through now who look sharp. Bartley will make it, either at Arsenal or elsewhere but he will be a top-tier CB. I rate him higher than I do Miguel at present. Afobe looked good on loan, and is very young to have played in a promotion pushing League 1 team. Maybe another loan to Huddersfield next season. It might be a year early for a Championship loan. Miyaichi I'd love to see play in the PL. I disagree that his position is stocked. A left-sided MF is exactly what Arsenal need. Nasri is an Attacking Mid according to him, Arshavin a no.10. There are no natural left-wingers at Arsenal. If Alvarez & Botelho come in for next season, then it's a well-stocked position, but Miyaichi will be given HUGE time at Arsenal to prove his worth because of his value to the club in opening up the Asian market. As soon as he gets a national team callup and they realise who he is, and where he is, Arsenal shirt sales in the far east will rocket. I'm hoping he becomes Japan's golden boy
Gibbs is too injury prone IMO. He hasn't had a clear season ever. Too much of a risk to have him as first choice, but I really don't wana Clichy to stay.
Not ready yet, that's clear. Most young players are injury prone, it's not a surprise that he is. Unlike others, I've been convinced of his quality this season. I think he will be a long term player for us.
