Yes we are nearly three months in to the new year, but quite a few people have asked me this, so who are the top five players to watch during 2008, the end of this season and in to next?
The Countdown
1) Carlos Vela – Mexican – Striker/Winger
Carlos is definitely one to watch this year because he is one of the biggest talents in world football, 2008 will see him finish the season on loan with Osasuna, and finally return to Arsenal.
The 18 year old has become a firm fans favourite in Pamplona this season with coach Jose Angel Ziganda playing a 4-3-3 formation the Mexican has found himself playing as a left winger, and he has took to the role impressively, his blistering pace and energy, as well as technical skills have all been tested as the teenager has been marked by the likes of Daniel Alves, Sergio Ramos, and World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta, on all occasions he performance’s expertly.
Young Guns has been keeping all its readers up to date with how Carlos is doing, with regular reports to catch up on them, visit our Loanees section
Keep up with all things Vela, over at Carlos Vela News.
2) Nacer Barazite – Dutch – Striker
Nacer has been amazing since he joined the club in the summer of 2006, starting out as a goalscoring central midfielder he has slowly been pushed forward, to operate as a winger, on either flank, and then as a striker both supporting, and now as the main man.
This season has seen him make the transition to the first team, showing his impressive skills, before injury ended his spell, but with Eduardo suffering a horrific injury, and Nacer bang in form, it would be a safe bet that the Dutch man will get more chances for the Gunners first team.
He is one to watch, because of his wide array of talents, very quick and full of technical ability many have made the comparison between Nacer and Brazillain world player of the year Kaka, this season he has be fantastic, with 16 goals so far, including two hat-tricks
3) Pedro Bothelo – Brazilian – Winger
Much uncertainty has surrounded Pedro since he was signed in the summer of 2007, he was quickly loaned out to UD Salamanca but because of registration issues he could not make his debut for the Spanish outfit till January.
2008 will see him finish the year long loan, and he will either come back to Arsenal or he will be loaned again, an important decision for his long term future.
To read more about Pedro visit our recent article Here.
4) Jack Wilshere – English – Midfielder
Free scoring central midfielder Jack shot on to the scene this term, being promoted to Under 18’s football where he quickly found his feet, as well as the goals, also this season he has made his debut for the Reserves against Reading, scoring again, next season will see Jack make the step up to regular Reserves football, with questions such as will his size and physique be an issue against bigger players finally being answered.
Next season we will lean just how big a prospect young Wilshere could be, if he performs well a place in the Carling Cup squad could open up.
5) Benik Afobe – English – Striker
Next season will be huge for Benik, he will make the step-up to play Under 18’s football, following in the foot steps of other 15 year old’s Jack Wilshere, Rhys Murphy, and Marc Elston, who all found goals easy to come by after the transition from Under 16’s to Under 18’s football whilst still being school boys.
During this season Young Guns are brought you exclusive coverage of the Under 16’s and Afobe has proved to be the star, his composed clinical finishing in rapid numbers means he is rated as one of the biggest prospects in English football, 2008 will also see him pull on the England shirt and represent his country another big step up for the promising striker.
Read More On The Youth Players, In Our Player Profiles Section.
Article By – J.Sanderson.
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Don’t you think Henri Lansbury should also be included in this list. I watched him in the under 16 world cup. He was sometimes awesome. He’s a Gerrard-esque player. Certainly one for the future.
Good choices, I agree on the first four. I’m personally not familiar with Benik Afobe, thanks for the heads-up.
And how about Havard Nordveit?
Vitao Mannone’s also been doing very well this season.
Henri has been so injury prone, he misses at least 2 months of every season with injuries.
i really see this hampering him long term,
It’s obvious that Vela will make the biggest impact on the first team next season but I have seen enough of Nacer Barazite to have extremely high hopes for him. He seems like a cross between Kaka and Bergkamp in style and has a good physique for his age.
I was wondering if you knew how Wenger views him? He has mentioned the likes of Vela, Fran and Henri Lansbury in interviews but never Barazite…how highly is he rated by the staff?
Keep churning out the great articles!!
wish that we could see more reserves games to make a better judgement. hope more young players get into the first team. only quality players please. hoyte looked ready last season, but this season, i can’t say he has not been that good. if Nacer Barazite is like a cross between Kaka and Bergkamp in style, we will be very excited to see him next season. great read. :)
Nacer Barazite a cross between Denis Bergkamp and Kaka Lol
and he has took to the role impressively- more like he has taken to the role- bad use of the english language gets to me. good article and keep it up bro
I have seen Barazite play and he is very good. How good were Kaka and Bergkamp at 16/17? this guy looks much older than that and I think he clearly has a bright future. he needs to steer clear of injury. wenger is trying to keep him quiet, thats how much he rates him. his skills are so rare that he is being pushed up front where he can do more damage and score vital goals. I do see him as a very Kaka type player in his position.
If Nacer Barazite was English he would not get a game in our England U19’s team because of a certain striker called Daniel Sturridge who is a much better prospect than this kid is
Mark Randall?
Kent Paul,
I never said he was as good as Kaka or Bergkamp, merely that is his style of play, he has a mixture of elegance and power to his game. Sturridge is a totally different player, you would want Nacer in behind him, feeding him with through balls. Sturridge is probably quicker, but Barazite is far more gifted technically .
What about Hardveit? Everytime I’ve seen him for the Reserves, he’s been outstanding. I can’t wait to see him in action next. I have a feeling AW will offload Senderos or Djourou to make room for him.
Kent Paul doesn’t seem to like Barazite for some reason
No mention of Randall when he has probably been the youth player with the most involvement with the first team this season??
Randall is average, and Traore has been most involved, or Gibbs, Mark needs to work on alot things.
More gifted technically are we talking about the same player here, did you watch him at the UEFA European U17’s Championships last year he looked auful especially agaianst England were Danny Rose humiliated him, dont get me wrong i think he is a good prospect us being Arsenal but the way some people talk about him is a bit OTT becuse if he was that good he would be at least on the bench for us but he is not even with our present injury crisis up front
Barazite has everything needed to be world class, he is the best from the Reserves and Youth system.
i dont think people realise just how good he is.
Trust me, there are not many players who have technical ability like Nacer Barazite, his first touch and ball manipulation is outstanding. He was on a great run of form when he played at Blackburn in the C Cup and then got injured. He’s only just come back but has come back sharp.
If it wasn’t for the fact that every game now is vitally important i think he would be pushing for involvement.
Hoe can 5 forward players make it at Arsenal?
Will Adebayor, Eduardo, Walcott, RVP, Hleb, Rosicky leave/ get injured?
No, there maybe a chance for one of the players to break through.
The real question is, where could a player break through?
OK Defensive midfielder, keeper and left winger, maybe even a Center Half.
Spot-on again Sanderson mate.
Mark, everybody have a chance to make it at Arsenal, no matter what position they play. The only thing they need is to be extremely good football players. The position that is probably the hardest to get into is attacking midfielder, because of Cesc Fabregas. It’s easier to get into double positions like central defence or forwards, because even if you have the best striker in the world, there is another position beside him.
do we have any decent right back in the reserve? we really need one as a cover for sagna as justin hoyte is hopeless.
how come lansbury isnt in this and how do u know that gibbs is very involved in the first team
This site is brilliant keep the good work up, cant wait to see vela next season !
ive been watching the reserves on arsenal tv and as soon as i saw barazite iwas impressed with how well he kept the ball along with his abillity to pass both acuratly and with pace. I disagree with the opinion that he has bergcamp qualities, for me he reminds me of berbytoff, (sorry to mention a s**** player) his finishing is exelent 3-5 years from now i fully expect him to be a face. remember you read it here.
top post Jay
why hasnt any1 mentioned Merida. He’s one of the main reasons why we have been underperformeing in reserves. imagine the prospect of Merida and Fabregas playing together.
I think they need a new start, I’d consider giving the captaincy to Fabregas as Gallas is becoming a parody of himself. Fabregas can inspire the youth of the team
Walcott is doing himself no harm as the competition between Bendtner and Walcott rises if Van Persie is slow coming back.
http://ihos.wordpress.com/2008/02/24/ok-you-get-one-last-look/
Does anybody know whats happening with Fran Merida? I know he is on loan but is it with a view to a pernament move?
Carlos Sanchez is a very good player, but you must wath bojan krkric, FC Barcelona has the best youg player of Europe…. and Arsenal has Niclas Bentner, also He’s good.
I think giving the captaincy to Cesc would be a mistake. Gallas has been rejuvenated by it and will surely lead us to glory. Cesc has to work hard for us for a season or two and at least be 25 before we give him the band. All players need to acheive things and by not giving him the captaincy it’s one of those things he’ll strive for… keep him on his toes…
I’ve done a peice abot Sunu and Rui Fonte which was inspired by Young Guns on http://worldofarsenal.co.uk/2008/02/27/wednesdays-early-blog-arsenals-attacking-options/
Tony Adamas was captain of arsenal at 18
what about jay simpson i believe this guy is so under rated http://www.megavideo.com/?v=AL8KTW3R das a link look how he destroys leeds and he is a amazing player and even henry tipped him 2 be great if his name was simpsinho or something he would be first team
sod nasri, i want this player…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-urO0p5KO8.
I pay my hard earned cash for me season ticket, i think i should decide!
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