After a bunch of comments, a couple of e-mails this morning and the knowledge the customer is always right, here is a report on how Gilles Sunu is settling in with the club.
Background/Scouting
Former player turned scout Gilles Grimandi first spotted Gilles Sunu, playing for the France Youth Side, after making notes and being impressed with him, he faxed a report to Chief scout Steve Rowley who asked Grimandi to keep tabs on Sunu, who had 5 goals in 14 matches for the French Under 16’s.
This took him to French minnows Châteauroux, where despite being used as a central striker for the national team, he played as a right sided forward in a 4-3-3 for the youth team, his physical presence and technique made an instant impression, with his physical style being exactly what is needed to perform in the Premiership, but he was also attracting interest from other clubs, Manchester United as well as Barcelona were now on his tail.
Arsenal Move For Him
But Arsenal moved first, quickly opening talks, and agreeing a fee of around £950.000 rising to £1.5 Million based on appearance’s and goals, but convincing the shy youngster to up root from his quiet family life would prove to be something different, Grimandi was new to the scouting business but he travelled to the Sunu family home and after explaining the Gunners plans to turn him in to a world class player, a deal was done, the 15 year old would link up with Arsenal when he turned 16 (March 2007), he was also advised by his father Manu a former professional footballer himself.
The “New Henry” Tag
But pressure was instantly put on his young shoulders, Châteauroux’s vice chairmen compared him to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, Patrick Trotignon said:
“He plays as an out-and-out striker like Thierry Henry, but he also can play in midfield
Gilles is lightning quick and he has great technical skills. But the key is that he is very intelligent, older than his years”
Moving To England / First Days At The Club
And as March arrived, Gilles said goodbye to his friends, family and his girlfriend and made the move across the channel, after being given a short period of time to adjust and settle in, he soon made fiends, fellow Frenchmen Cedric Evina helped show him around the club, and on training with the first team, Emmanuel Adebayor also helped young Gilles, as his father Manu Sunu was a former Togo international, his first action for the club came as the Reserves travelled to Italy for a tournament, he was introduced as sub, and his power and pace instantly impressed.
By the time pre-season had come around, he was jetting off again, to Malaysia to take part in the Champions Youth Cup, coming on against Ajax as a sub for Jay Simpson, despite the intense heat, he was willing to run the flanks and chase the ball all day long. the coaching staff spoke about Gilles to Arsenal.com saying.
Liam Brady –
“He’s an all-action centre forward, We had him come to a tournament in Italy in late April and he did very well. He’s hard-working and good on the ball.”
Steve Bould –
“Gilles is a really hard working lad. He runs the line all day long and we’ve been delighted with his attitude. Everyone’s taken to him and through shear endeavour he’s enamoured himself with everyone at the Club.”
The Season So Far
Gilles then got his big break, he was set to be named on the bench for the Emirates Cup match against PSG, but a registration problem meant Rhys Murphy took his place instead, and after making his Under 18’s debut, more frustration followed, a left knee injury meant he would spend some time on the side lines.
But after recovering he made his debut for the Reserves, coming on a substitute in the 2-0 win over Portsmouth, on a bitterly cold night in North London, but as ever, he worked hard and was unlucky not to get on the score-sheet, just as things were looking up, his knee gave way again, and after more time on the sidelines he was rushed back, because of a striker crisis.
Rhys Murphy, Nacer Barazite and then Rui Fonte were all unable to play, so in came Gilles, and despite the obvious injury he still showed what he is all about, impressing Nigel Winterburn on the clubs official TV channel as he was commentating on the Reserves fixture against Birmingham City, his ability to lead the line and hold the ball up as well as put people in was impressive for any player, but even better as he was carrying an injury.
He also started the FA Youth Cup game against Liverpool, running the flanks and applying pressure to opposition defenders, he showed his athletic ability stretching to toe poke the ball to Rene Steer who crossed for the returning Nacer Barazite who failed to convert the chance, but his injury was tested as he went to play for France in the Algarve Tournament, he even featured against winners England.
Overall, The New Henry?
So is Gilles the new Henry? to answer it honestly and simply no, he is not as classy or skillful as Henry, but he is ideal for the English style of play, great in the air full of running and pace, he chases and hassles people, if he can just shake the injury’s off I’m sure he can get in the goals, but we have seen many times in the past injuries ruin players careers, let’s hope Sunu does not suffer the same fate.
Loan News- Jay Simpson
In Other News, Jay Simpson is in the squad for Millwall as they take on Huddersfield Town away at the Galpharm Stadium tonight, a win would ease the Lions relegation fears, as it would send them up to 18th, they are currently 20th just out of the danger zone, we will of course bring you news on the game at full time.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Whenever i hear the word’s hard working and all action a team player etc etc to me that is polite football speak for saying he does not have much talent IMO Lol
What is Sunu’s size and body type? Is he a lanky sort of all-day runner like Adebayor or more compact like, say, Theo?
I gather from the comments about holding up the ball that he’s no lightweight. Is strength going to be one of his main weapons, even against Prem League players when he eventually gets there?
And by the way, don’t worry if he’s not another Henry. There isn’t one.
You’d probably take Wayne Rooney in your side and he doesn’t have a shadow of Henry’s skill.
Let’s have these young guys develop their own skill sets instead of trying to compare them — except, as I asked earlier, in matters of physique and so forth.
I’m fascinated by what I’ve heard of Sunu (and Nordveidt). Along with Vela, they sound perhaps like our young players with the greatest upside.
What five would YOU name as having the greatest long-range potential?
I guess I’m saying: Vela and what other four, eh?
Thanks for all the information. Love the site and the work you put into it.
Cheers!
One more thing: In response to Kent’s post about “all action, etc.” being code for lack of talent…
Remember the exact same description was applied to Manu Adebayor, and most certainly to Matty Flamini. Sometimes technique and guile take a bit of time, but a non-stop engine is a great start.
Ask the wingers who have to face Clichy and Sagna all day long.
Hi is short like Theo California steve, but he’s much stronger. A bit like Trevez
1) Vela
2) Barazite
3) Nordtveit
4) Pedro
5) Merida
Do you really think Pedro is that good? I have never seen him but he doesn’t seem to play much for Salamanca. Why didn’t he play the first half of the season? Was it injury or work permit problems?
nordveit was training yesterday 4 arsenal game getting ready for the game against ac milan
i think vela will com bak to arsenal in the summer and hopefully well get som top stars such as quaresma and eto but the news thts circling is tht were gonna get a kid called Ignasi Miquel who apparently is hot property he plays 4 cornella and barcelona and man utd r lookin at him so well av to get our skates on.COME ON U GUNNERS “ARSENAL 2 – ACMILAN 0” GO GUNNERS
bob i completely agree
Big Thumbs up on the work so far. This is an excellent site. A little surprised that Pedro made it into your top 5. I’d have thought one of the english lads might have made it.
Also, there’s a kid playing for the under 14s I think that is apparently banging in goals. Do you happen to know who I’m referring to?
These guys give them time. It is threatening to begin comparison. They will develop one time into good footballers.
dude henry was only a great technical striker for about 4 years IMO .and purist that I am I say Van nistelcunt is the better technical striker. Henry was simply put a great scorer of goals.
So when u say Sunu aint as classy or skillful as henry just remember that henry was not skillful early on in his career at all.
All he had was phenomenal speed and a high level of technique to match. There are many miles to flow yet if indeed this young man is to blossom into something like henry.
Nordtveit is strong and quick and reads the game very well. He’s very good on the ball too, if he stays fit he may get a game in the first team and become a backup centre back along with a fit djourou. Also, saw fabianski train with other keepers, conceded just three the whole session, outshone lehm and almun. Also only conceded one before the tottenham game. I back those two to be regulars in two seasons or less and not concede all season(bit of blind optimism to balance the dull comment!)
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